Japan's top racehorse tests positive for doping

Japan's top racehorse Deep Impact, who finished third at Europe's top race, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe two weeks ago, has tested positive for banned substances, the Japan Racing Association said Thursday.

The tests in France after the race showed the four-year-old Deep Impact had in its system ipratropium, which speeds up the respiratory system in humans who suffer lung disease and is banned in horse-racing.

The JRA, which was informed of the results of the test by French horse-racing authorities, does not list ipratropium as a banned substance, according to Kyodo News.

Jockey Yutaka Take, who steered Deep Impact in the famed Paris race said he was "surprised" about the test result and he would not make any comment as he "does not know the details."

Deep Impact was a triple crown winner last year. The colt is expected to end his career at the end of the year, before running three more races.

Source: Xinhua