Molly Gunn Gets 6-Month Ban After Cocaine Positive

Molly Gunn was suspended for six months after testing positive for cocaine, ending an immediate career run that had already produced 22 winners since her 2021 debut. The 26-year-old apprentice, based with Worcestershire trainer Tony Carroll, had been under interim suspension since December 23.

Molly Gunn and the December 13 sample

The positive came from a urine sample taken after she rode at Wolverhampton, and the sample was found to contain benzoylecgonine, the major metabolite of cocaine, at 410 ng/mL. At the disciplinary hearing on Thursday, Gunn accepted that she was in breach of the rules.

Catherine Daly told the hearing that Gunn was interviewed in January and alleged the result was caused by cross-contamination by a third party. Gunn’s lawyer, Harry Stewart-Moore, said she denied ever taking cocaine or any other illicit substance and that her belief was that she had been cross-contaminated.

BHA hearing before Philippa Charles

Daly also said cocaine and its metabolites are confirmed at 150 ng/mL, adding that any result above that level can be interpreted as consistent with cocaine use. She said Gunn’s result was considerably above that confirmation cut-off.

Panel chair Philippa Charles said there was not sufficient evidence before the panel to form a view on balance of probabilities as to how the cross-contamination occurred, and she imposed the six-month suspension from the date the interim suspension began on December 23.

Wolverhampton riding and next steps

The suspension removes a rider who had built 22 wins since making her debut in 2021, and the hearing was told she was recovering from an injury and was unlikely to be able to resume riding until after the ban ends. For Gunn, the ruling leaves the disciplinary finding in place and stretches the period before she can return to race-riding.