Philip Fenton withdraws appeal on ‘severity’ of three-year ban

Trainer Phillip Fenton has withdrawn his appeal to have his three year disqualification from racing reduced, less than a week before his scheduled hearing.

Fenton was found guilty on eight charges of possessing banned animal medicines, including anabolic steroids, but had subsequently lodged an appeal to the Turf Club against the severity of the lengthy suspension.

On Thursday the Turf Club have announced that they have " received notification that Philip Fenton has withdrawn his appeal with regard to the 'severity' of the ban imposed on him by the Referrals Committee at a hearing on Saturday, 22nd November. The appeal hearing was to be held in the Turf Club on Tuesday, 16th December."

The sport’s regulatory body postponed to March 1st Fenton’s full disqualification from any racing environment in order to help him wind down business commitments in an orderly fashion.

Fenton admitted breaching the rules of racing at Saturday’s hearing and his solicitor pleaded for a financial punishment rather than disqualification. The Turf Club’s Referrals Committee felt the severity of the offence was of sufficient gravity to hand out a three year suspension.

Within Thursday’s statement they added:

“Philip Fenton has therefore had his licences withdrawn with effect from Wednesday, 10th December and will become a disqualified person as and from 1st March 2015.”