Whitaker wins on comeback from drugs ban

By Duncan Mackay
Sunday, 1 November 2009

November 1 - Britain's Michael Whitaker (pictured) has returned from his four month doping ban with a victory in the United States.

The Olympic silver medallist was found guilty in September of inadvertently doping his stallion Tackeray.

But his ban was backdated to June, when the International Equestrian Federation (FEI) announced it had found traces of altrenogest, a substance banned for use in stallions, in a random sample taken in May.

Competing at the Sycracuse Invitational Sporthorse Tournament in New York, Whitaker made a winning return in the CN Gambler's Choice - a fancy-dress, top-score competition - on Udokus.

He also finished fourth in the three-phase Sporthorse Cup on Insul Tech Wonami Van Den Aard.

September 2009: Date set for Whitaker doping hearing
June 2009: Exclusive - British star latest top rider to be banned

inside the blogs

More blogs

Read The insidethegames.biz Magazine here

inside the photos

Para Panam Games Santiago 2023 Photos

More picture galleries

Fact of the day

When British skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold medal in ice dance at Sarajevo 1984 with 12 perfect 6.0s from every judge, for their interpretation of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, an important member of their team was singer-actor Michael Crawford. Crawford, who had played Frank Spencer in British sitcom Some Mothers Do 'Ave 'Em and the title role in the musical The Phantom of the Opera, had become a mentor to the pair in 1981 and went on to help them create their Olympic routine. Crawford said he “taught them how to act". He was present with their trainer Betty Callaway at the ringside at Sarajevo as they created one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history.

More facts

Featured Job

Social Media Executive

An exciting opportunity has arisen within our Social Media team. We are seeking someone passionate about horse racing who also possesses a good understanding of wider sports, alongside proficiency in Premiere Pro and Photoshop. This role will involve joining us to enhance our organic social channels by capturing and amplifying sporting sentiment to drive engagement.

More jobs

The Big Read

Pierre de Coubertin once said cricket has "practically no appeal for those who are not British". While he expressed doubts about the Olympic viability of cricket, lacrosse and baseball, Philip Barker wonders how the man who helped revive the modern Games would have reacted to new sports at Los Angeles 2028.

Big Read Archive

Poll

Should cricket be an Olympic sport?

Vote on this poll

Read our printed publications online here