Svensk Travsport, Sweden's national harness racing association, has announced that Propulsion, who won the 2020 Elitloppet last week, has been banned for the time being, as an investigation into the star trotter is currently being conducted.
Propulsion won the 2020 Elitloppet on Sunday, May 31. Days after the impressive win, individuals in the harness racing industry pointed out that Propulsion's two front feet had been 'nerved' while in the United States, before he was shipped overseas to Sweden in 2015.
Sweden's trotting rules state that a Standardbred whose feet have been nerved are not eligible to race or breed.
As part of its announcement -- the contents of which appear below in both English and Swedish -- Svensk Travsport has stated that Propulsion has been banned for the time being.
The announcement has also explained that Propulsion's already-born offspring as well as the breedings made this year will not be affected, regardless of the final decision in the case.
Continued Investigation on Propulsion
The investigation into Propulsion is ongoing and it is too early to determine what the outcome will be in all parts. For the time being, however, Svensk Travsport has decided to ban Propulsion.
Swedish Travsport has also received many questions regarding Propulsion's breeding operations, and, in doing so, Propulsion still has a valid breeding certificate, based on previous breeding evaluation. A new breeding valuation can, according to Chapter 25. Section 6 Registration Regulations, become relevant when the investigation is complete. This means that already-born offspring as well as the coverings made this year will not be affected, regardless of the final decision in the case.
Swedish Travelsport will also launch an internal investigation to review the union's process and management. It will be led by an external independent party.
Fortsatt utredning angående Propulsion
Utredningen angående Propulsion fortgår och det är för tidigt att fastslå vad utfallet kommer att bli i alla delar. Tills vidare har Svensk Travsport dock beslutat om startförbud för Propulsion.
Svensk Travsport får också många frågor avseende Propulsions avelsverksamhet och därvidlag har Propulsion fortfarande ett gällande betäckningsbevis, utifrån tidigare genomförd avelsvärdering. En ny avelsvärdering kan, enligt 25 kap. 6 § Registreringsreglementet, bli aktuell när utredningen är klar. Detta innebär att redan födda avkommor samt de betäckningar som görs i år inte kommer att påverkas, oavsett slutligt beslut i ärendet.
Svensk Travsport kommer också inleda en intern utredning för att genomlysa förbundets process och hantering. Den kommer ledas av en extern oberoende part.