HORSE RACING : Two Favorites Were Drugged Before Losing

Two favored horses who ran badly this month in Doncaster, England, were given tranquilizers before their races, it was revealed Monday.

The Jockey Club, horse racing’s governing body, said that Bravefoot, which finished last in a five-horse field, and Norwich, which finished fourth in a field of 10, were given an identical, fast-acting drug.

The doping was revealed in tests carried out at the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory at Newmarket and is the first confirmed case in Britain in 25 years.

The scandal surrounds the three-day Doncaster meet that includes the $280,000 St. Leger race Sept. 15.

Norwich was 11-4 joint favorite for the Kiveton Park Stakes Sept. 13. After the poor finish, his trainer, Barry Hills, asked for a blood test on the horse.

“I just had a feeling the horse was not right and I was suspicious at the time,” Hills said Sunday.

Bravefoot, son of American-bred Dancing Brave, was 11-8 favorite to win the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Stakes Sept. 14.

Observers said he ran listlessly with his tongue hanging out. Jockey Walter Swinburn said afterward he ran a “lifeless” race.

A Jockey Club statement following the tests said preliminary findings indicated both samples contained traces of tranquilizer.

“This tranquilizer is quick-acting and security at racecourse stables is being tightened still further,” the statement said.