Horse Trainer Banned: Methamphetamine Found in Racehorse System
- A Waikato harness racing trainer has been disqualified for 16.5 months after his horse, Emily Bay, tested positive for methamphetamine.
- Ival Brownlee, the trainer, also tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC Acid, despite maintaining he hadn’t used the drug since 2012.
- The investigation that followed saw both Brownlee and his father, the owner of Emily Bay, voluntarily submit to drug testing.
A Waikato harness racing trainer has been disqualified for 16.5 months after his horse, Emily Bay, tested positive for methamphetamine. The case, which has raised concerns about animal welfare and the integrity of the sport, highlights the ongoing battle against drug contamination within the racing industry.
Ival Brownlee, the trainer, also tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC Acid, despite maintaining he hadn’t used the drug since 2012. The Racing Integrity Board (RIB) released a summary of facts detailing the incident, which began after Emily Bay won a race at the Waikato Harness Club in Cambridge in late October 2025. Subsequent testing revealed the presence of methamphetamine in the horse’s system.
The investigation that followed saw both Brownlee and his father, the owner of Emily Bay, voluntarily submit to drug testing. While a urine sample from Brownlee initially came back clear, a hair follicle sample indicated the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and THC Acid. This result suggested, according to the RIB’s adjudicative committee, a pattern of longer-term use rather than a single incident.
Brownlee argued that any contamination of the horse was unintentional, stemming from his own use of the drug. He acknowledged the potential for exposure but insisted he never intentionally administered the substance to Emily Bay. He also pointed to his previously clean record with other horses and his prior disqualifications – in 2012 for a positive meth test and again in 2015 for cannabis use – occurring more than a decade ago.
Despite these arguments, the RIB determined that Brownlee “should have known the risks and consequences of methamphetamine use and contamination, making the breach more serious.” The board emphasized the potential for methamphetamine to undermine public confidence in racing outcomes and the significant animal welfare concerns associated with even indirect exposure to the drug.
Dr. Alison Vaughan, senior scientific officer at the SPCA, explained that while controlled studies on the effects of drugs on animals are limited, the risks are “very well recognised.” She noted that even low doses of methamphetamine can cause increased blood pressure, heart rate, tremors, and a lack of coordination in horses, with the potential for seizures in severe cases. Vaughan also highlighted that animals, particularly horses with their larger cardiovascular output, may metabolize substances differently than humans, making them potentially more susceptible to the effects of drug exposure.
This case isn’t isolated. In 2022, both trainer Darren Smith and his horse, Tazimoto, tested positive for methamphetamine following a race win in Ruakākā. Similarly, jockey Rochelle Lockett and her horse, Be Flexi, were both found to have the drug in their systems after a race win in Whanganui, resulting in Lockett receiving a three-year ban. These incidents underscore a growing trend of methamphetamine detections within New Zealand racing, prompting increased scrutiny and concern.
The RIB’s decision to disqualify Brownlee for 16.5 months, commencing on , and concluding on , reflects the board’s commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport and protecting animal welfare. The board stated that “the mere presence of the substance has the potential to undermine public confidence in racing outcomes” and that a strong deterrent is necessary, particularly in cases involving methamphetamine.
Brownlee’s disqualification also carries financial consequences, as he has already forfeited the $4400 winning stake from Emily Bay’s race. He also expressed concern about the potential damage to his reputation within the racing industry. However, the RIB’s decision prioritizes the need to maintain the “social licence” of the racing industry, emphasizing the importance of public trust and the ethical treatment of animals.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges facing the racing industry in combating drug contamination and ensuring a level playing field for all participants. The ongoing efforts of the Racing Integrity Board, coupled with increased awareness and vigilance, will be crucial in safeguarding the future of the sport and protecting the well-being of the horses involved.