A DRUG cheat trainer broke down in tears as he was sentenced to four years in prison for doping horses.
Jason Servis, whose best horse Maximum Security won the $20million Saudi Cup in 2020, was also ordered to pay just under $500,000 (£385,000).
Drug cheat trainer Servis will serve four years in prisonAP
Servis, 66, was told by Judge Mary Kay Vyskocil: “You cheated. You lied. You broke the law.”
His sentence was part of the US government’s crackdown on drug cheats in racing.
Servis was one of 30 originally charged in March 2020 after a years-long investigation into performance enhancing drugs in the sport.
He is the 21st person to be given jail time under the investigation.
‘Notorious juicer’ Jorge Navarro was sentenced to five years in prison in 2021.
Breaking down in tears in a New York court, Servis said: “I will live with this for the rest of my life, and I’m most truly sorry.”
Maximum Security won the 2019 Kentucky Derby but was later disqualified by Churchill Downs stewards for interference.
The court heard Servis put horses he trained in danger by ‘giving virtually all of them performance-enhancing drugs’, the judge said.
He hid drugs in shampoo bottles and in containers holding bandages.
Judge Vyskocil wanted to sentence Servis to more than four years – but that was the most she was allowed to give under the charges.
She said: “In my judgement more than a 48-month sentence might be more appropriate.”
Reacting to the news of Servis’ sentencing, one prominent racing figure tweeted: “Good riddance.”
More to follow.