Sheik Mohammed turns to former Met chief Lord Stevens for internal inquiry into the drugs scandal that rocked racing.

Sheik Mohammed, whose global equine empire has been rocked by a series of damaging drug-related incidents, has turned to former Metropolitan Police chief Lord Stevens to conduct an internal inquiry.
The organisations to come under Lord Steven’s scrutiny will include his Darley racing empire and Godolphin stable in Newmarket where his disgraced trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was found to have given banned anabolic steroids to 22 of his horses in April.
More recent seizures of illegal drugs from a farm the Sheik owns near Newmarket, which is used for training Endurance horses, and a Dubai Royal Air Wing Flight at Stansted airport, had heaped further scrutiny on the Sheik’s equine empire.

Respected figure: The former Commissioner of London's Metropolitan Police, Lord Stevens, is to conduct an internal inquiry into Sheik Mohamed's equine empire

Lord Stevens, who is now chairman of Quest, a Corporate Intelligence and Investigation company, said: 'I have been asked by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed to oversee an internal inquiry that will examine organisational structures, internal communication and veterinary practices at all of the major components of Sheikh Mohammed’s equestrian properties and operations, including Darley, Godolphin, Meydan and Janah, the equine flight company.
‘We will look into events surrounding the seizures at Stansted and Moorley Farm, including the chain of custody for the medications in question and their intended purpose. We will also look beyond those specific events for a wide-ranging assessment of veterinary procedures and practices to determine whether they are in support of horse welfare and in keeping with all applicable laws and regulations. 
'Sheikh Mohammed is adamant that any evidence of violations of law or regulation in any jurisdiction should be shared with the appropriate authorities. Our primary focus is on preventing any future systemic failures. We will identify best practices and develop protocols and procedures to streamline and improve management and operations.

Shaken: Sheik Mohammed and his wife Princess Haya at Goodwood in July and (below) the Sheik on a horse in 2008

‘Following my meeting with Princess Haya on Tuesday, I have begun assembling a team of experts for this task. At this earlier stage, it is difficult to predict when we will complete this project, but our work will undoubtedly extend into the new year. We have agreed that we will not wait until the inquiry is finished to suggest any improvements that should be implemented more quickly.’
On Tuesday, it emerged that another of the horses the Sheik, Orman De Cardonne, had tested positive for a banned anabolic steriod.
The controversy was the latest in a series for the Sheik, after the illegal shipments of the unlicenced equine drugs that were discovered at Stansted after a flight from Dubai and a similar finding at one of his farms near Newmarket.
Sheik Mohammed had asked his wife Princess Haya to conduct an inquiry into the breaches but that drew a sceptical response at how objective it might be.

Guilty: Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni (left) stuffed his horses full of anabolic steroids

Stevens brings a reputation as serious investigator to the inquiry. His role with Quest has included leading an inquiry for the Premier League into alleged irregular payments in football transfers.
The BHA conducted a four-month inquiry into the workings of the Godolphin stable after the Al Zarooni scandal. It has insisted the most recent illegal drugs finds have nothing to do with racing but promised to offer support to Lord Steven’s investigations.
BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey said: ‘We welcome the announcement that Lord Stevens has been appointed to carry out a wide-ranging review of the Sheikh Mohammed’s various equine interests, including the thoroughbred racing operation Godolphin.
‘The BHA carried out its own comprehensive investigation of Godolphin earlier this year and we would be happy to assist Lord Stevens in his enquiries in anyway we can. In addition, we have stated that in the light of the prohibited substance breaches earlier this year, the Godolphin operation remains subject to both announced and unannounced visits by BHA officials.’