Photo: FacebookA winning racehorse that tested positive for methamphetamine was likely contaminated with the drug by its trainer. Now, Ival Brownlee won’t be able to race or train horses for the next 18 months, after also testing positive for the drug, despite denying taking it. The horse won its race and was swabbed and urine tested, and a month later, when the tests were returned, it was found to have methamphetamine in its system. It also noted that the breach occurred on a race day and that the horse won its race. In 2022, both Darren Smith and his horse Tazimoto tested positive for methamphetamine following a race win in Ruakākā.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 13, 2026 10:50 UTC