AUSTIN, TX—OCTOBER 26, 2017—Three Quarter Horse trainers, who were handed down penalties by the Texas Racing Commission today, are expected to appeal the rulings in civil court.

The penalties were handed down after a three-day hearing last month, according to rulings provided by the Texas Racing Commission.

All three trainers appeared at the hearing and argued that veterinarian, Justin Robinson, was responsible for administering the drug to all of the horses that tested positive.

Attorneys for the trainers hoped to cast doubt on the chain of custody of the horses’ post-race samples, according to the rulings.

The commission rejected the argument that the trainers should not be held responsible for the positives even if Robinson had administered the drugs without their knowledge, citing the absolute insurer rule.

Leading Quarter Horse trainer Judd Kearl has been suspended for 19 years for five positives for the drug nomifensine. He was summarily suspended for the positives in July and was also fined $110,000.

Trainers Jose Sanchez and Brian Stroud were also issued lengthy suspensions on Thursday, with Sanchez receiving a four-year ban for two positives and Stroud a one-year ban for one positive.

Although nomifensine is not specifically classified as a Class 1 substance, any drug that is thought to impact a horse’s performance and that is not recognized for any therapeutic effect on a horse is by default a Class 1 prohibited drug in Texas.