JOIN USThe high court on Wednesday stayed the operation of an order passed by the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) of not renewing the licence of a horse trainer and prohibiting him from participating in racing activities.
Justice Aravind Kumar passed the interim order while hearing a petition filed by the trainer, Neil Darashah.
The trainer had moved the court, seeking directions to the BTC to stay the impugned order, and asked the court to direct the club not to interfere with his training activities.
Darashah, in his petition, had stated that he is a professional horse trainer and has been in the profession for the past 15 years. Also, the horses that trained under him have won over 400 races.
The BTC passed the order based on a decision taken by the Race Monitoring Committee, which was constituted by the state government, the petitioner said.
Darashah also contended that the decision was passed following allegations of doping of horses in the club. The case in point being Queen Latifa, a race horse which was allegedly administered a performance-enhancing drug. The horse had trained under Darashah. After the animal developed an abscess, the veterinarian had administered propane, an anaesthetic. This drug was said to enhance performance.
After hearing the arguments, the court adjourned the case.