Molly Gunn has been banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine at Wolverhampton in December.
The 26-year-old rider is based with Tony Carroll and provided a sample on December 13, when she rode the trainer’s Verona Star to finish 11th in the 1m1½f handicap at Wolverhampton.
Events Leading to the Suspension
Two days later she rode Under Curfew at Lingfield and a further two days later she partnered You Are Everything at Kempton before her licence was suspended pending investigation on December 23.
Gunn’s six-month ban has been backdated.
She is currently recovering from an injury which would not see her return before the end of the suspension.
The Disciplinary Hearing
A disciplinary hearing took place on Thursday to consider the charge for breaching rule (K)49 against the rider following an adverse analytical finding.
Gunn’s representative Harry Stewart-Moore said the jockey had co-operated with the BHA and accepted the findings, but maintained she had never taken cocaine and believes the positive test was a result of cross-contamination by a third party.
The rider’s witness evidence was given in private.
BHA representative Catherine Daly said the sample returned a reading beyond the cut-off to be obtained via cross-contamination and that there was not sufficient evidence to suggest cross-contamination had occurred.
Gunn’s Career
Gunn has ridden 22 winners on the Flat in Britain.
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