French jockey Stephane Pasquier plans to appeal a three-month suspension for testing positive for a banned substance.
The stewards of racing authority France Galop issued the ban on Thursday morning after Pasquier was tested at Longchamp on April 11.
A statement issued to Press Association Sport by Pasquier’s agent, Herve Naggar, read: “Stephane Pasquier was this morning sentenced to a three-month suspension by the stewards of France Galop following a positive sample for a prohibited substance on April 11, 2013 at Longchamp.
“The France Galop medical commission, which met on July 9, concluded there was a possibility of contamination or that the incriminating substance was not consumed deliberately.
“As a result, Stephane Pasquier has decided to submit an appeal against the decision of the France Galop stewards and will make no comment on the subject while the process is ongoing.”
Pasquier, 35, won the 2006 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe aboard Rail Link and was successful in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket three years ago when Special Duty was awarded the race in the stewards’ room.
His most recent Group One triumph came when Maxios prevailed in the Prix d’Ispahan at Longchamp in May.
