The Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) has reached an agreement with a participant for a five-year suspension and $5,000 fine following his refusal to comply with equine drug testing regulations.

On April 30, 2016, horse trainer and owner Otabek Umarov prevented Commission personnel from collecting an out-of-competition sample from his horse, Looks to Spare, at Churchill Downs. State regulations permit the Commission to request a blood or urine sample from any horse eligible to race in Kentucky to screen for banned blood-doping agents. Under the rule, Umarov was obligated to consent to the testing.

“I fully accept my responsibility as a trainer to comply with the rules and standards set forth by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission,” said Umarov. “I understand that I violated one of those rules by failing to completely cooperate with the Commission, and I accept the terms of my suspension.”

Under the terms of the ruling, Umarov will be prohibited from training or participating in horse racing in Kentucky for the duration of his suspension. He will be required to appear before the Commissions’ License Review Committee if he chooses to apply for a license once the suspension is complete.

“The rules and regulations of the Commission are in place for the betterment of the equine industry and to protect the safety of the animals,” said Kentucky Horse Racing Commissioner Marc Guilfoil. “It is our job to uphold the high standards of our industry and initiate disciplinary action when those standards are violated.”

(with file from KHRC)