Using the wrong dustbin has cost Mike Stewart R10 000, a hefty legal bill and a grilling in front of the National Horseracing Authority Inquiry Board.

Mike Stewart

NHA officials made a surprise visit to the Noordhoek trainer’s stables in May and seized needles and syringes that were found to contain traces of phenylbutazone.

Stewart said: “It all happened when I wasn’t allowed to go near the stables for a fortnight because of the risk of infection after having an eye operation.

“My wife Ingrid has her own business taking people for rides on the beach and most of her horses are old and couldn’t operate without bute. She treated our daughter’s pony with it and, without thinking, threw the packaging into one of the bins near the stables rather than taking it to the house bin which she normally does. The following Tuesday the inspection people turned up and went through the bins.”

Stewart pleaded guilty at last week’s hearing but the mitigating circumstances explained by his attorney resulted in three-quarters of the R40 000 fine being suspended for three years.

The day after their visit to Noordhoek the inspection officials turned up unannounced at Paddy Kruyer’s stables in Milnerton, went through all the drawers and again discovered some used needles and syringes. Analysis revealed traces of testosterone cypionate and the trainer was fined R50 000 with half suspended for three years.

Kruyer, who was also legally represented, said: “I was able to prove, through the vet’s books, that the testosterone was supplied to me in 2012 when it’s use was still legal. However what I was guilty of was putting the needles and syringes in the drawer and forgetting about them instead of disposing of them at the time. As a trainer I am held responsible for anything found on my premises, hence the fine.”

By Michael Clower