Who is Royal Ascot trainer Wesley Ward and why was he suspended?
ROYAL Ascot trainer Wesley Ward was hit with a suspension and fine after reportedly breaking the rules with one of his horses.
The former jockey, who led a team of runners at this year’s Royal Ascot, was issued the punishment by the the New Jersey Racing Commission.
Former jockey turned trainer Wesley Ward was suspended after one of his horses tested positive for two banned substancesJulian Herbert/PA Wire
Who is Wesley Ward?
Wesley Ward is a retired American Champion jockey who is now a trainer.
He is the son of trainer Dennis Ward and grew up in the horse racing industry.
In 2009, Wesley became the first US-based conditioner to ship a horse to England and win a stakes race at Royal Ascot.
He has three children; Riley, Denae and Jackson.
Why was he suspended?
In June 2023 it was reported that Wesley’s horse, Insanity It Seems, tested positive banned drugs.
The horse, who won the Monmouth Park race in New Jersey in July 2022, tested positive for a pair of banned substances, naproxen and metformin.
Metformin is used to treat type 2 diabetes by decreasing the glucose absorbed from food, while also increasing the body’s response to insulin.
Naproxen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, which can be bought over the counter.
Ward was suspended for 15 days and fined more than £1,500.
The test happened on July 15, 2022, and the evidentiary hearing happened on February 28, 2023.
The New Jersey Racing Commission issued a 15-day suspension from June 23.
Ward was also fined $2,000, while Insanity It Seems was disqualified from the Monmouth Park race and the purse money was ordered to be redistributed, according to Paulick Report.
In 2021, Ward was slapped with a 30-day suspension in Kentucky after another horse, Averley Jane, test positive for metformin.
The horse was tested after competing in the $150,000 Kentucky Juvenile Stakes at Churchill Downs.
Wesley served 15 days of that ban, with 15 days deferred provided he didn’t return another positive test with 365 days.
What is Wesley Ward’s net worth?
Reports of Wesley’s net worth vary between $1million and $5million.
He is likely to have amassed his fortune from his career as a successful jockey and trainer.
Ward had runners at the 2023 Royal Ascot, a meeting he’s had plenty of his own success at over the years.
Unfortunately for Ward, none of his horses managed to break into the top ten of their races at the event, which took place from June 20 – June 24.
A horse named American Rascal was the biggest disappointment, having been touted as a potential superstar.
The runner ultimately finished last but one in the Norfolk Stakes.
