Coach Gerald Butler was provisionally suspended by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit for possession of the banned substance levothyroxine.
Levothyroxine, a thyroid complement and artificial model of a hormone known as thyroxine, is banned by HIWU after years of overuse within the racing trade. Thyroid hormones serve to advertise oxygen consumption, regulate the synthesis of assorted proteins, management physique warmth manufacturing, and stimulate metabolism.
Levothyroxine’s industrial or developmental names embody Thyro-Tabs, ThyroKare, Tirosint, Ermeza, Euthyrox, Levolet, Synthroid, Levoxyl, and Unithroid.
A examine on supplemental thyroxine appeared within the Might 2022 version of the Equine Veterinary Journal. The examine linked the usage of supplemental thyroxine with cardiac arrhythmia and concluded the complement additionally may very well be a contributing issue to bone fractures.
Butler’s case has not but been adjudicated by HIWU’s Inner Adjudication Panel. He faces a penalty of as much as a two-year suspension and a $25,000 high-quality as soon as the case has been reviewed by the IAP and a federal administrative regulation decide.
The infraction was first posted towards Butler Aug. 15 on the HIWU web site. The coach was additionally allegedly discovered responsible of violating Rule 3216(d) with two acts of retaliation and threats/intimidation.
Underneath HIWU guidelines, Butler will not be allowed to coach or begin any of his horses whereas the coach is serving his provisional suspension.
Butler, a a number of stakes-placed coach, has six horses entered to run Aug. 17 at FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing.
