A racehorse owner has been fined and banned for two years after his winning mare was found to be high on cocaine when it shot past the winning post.

Malta Racing Club officials gave a sample of filly Halina Jibay’s urine to an independent lab for testing after she won the 2,140-metre (1.33-mile) race on 1st October.

Researchers at the Laboratoire des Courses Hippiques in Verrieres-le-Buisson, near Paris, France, reportedly found numerous banned substances.

Apart from cocaine, lab technicians discovered crystal meth in the horse’s blood which can massively increases heart rates and blood pressure.

They also found, reports Maltese media, the anabolic steroid stanozolol and ketamin which is used to manage pain in large animals.

The horse’s owner, who has not been named by local media, was fined EUR 350 (GBP 305), reportedly the lowest possible fine for the offence.

He was also suspended from racing for two years, reported local media on 12th November.

The horse, meanwhile, was banned from participating in any races in Malta for 12 months.

Race officials are also understood to be planning to report the findings from the harness race to police.

In 2022, Halina Jibay won 21 of the 160 races the mare competed in and finished second 16 times.

Clint Vassallo was the jockey of the French-born filly in the ten-horse race.

Cocaine is said to have similar effects on horses as it does on humans.

It can act as a stimulant and performance-enhancer and also numbs discomfort and muscular pain.