Brendan Walker

The appellant, a thoroughbred trainer, appealed a Stewards' decision suspending him for one year and fining him $5,000 after his horse tested positive for codeine and morphine, both Class I drugs.

The appellant argued the positive test resulted from environmental contamination, specifically poppy seeds or human source contamination.

The Commission rejected this defense, finding it could not account for the presence of codeine and that the appellant failed to meet the strict liability standard of taking all reasonable care to protect the horse.

The appeal was denied, but the Commission stayed the last two months of the 12-month suspension in recognition of the appellant's previous good record.