The Judicial Control Authority (JCA) Committee has found Jockey Lisa Cropp guilty of a breach of Rule 528 of the Rules of Racing.

New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) laid this charge in May 2005 following urine samples testing positive to methamphetamine and amphetamine.

Penalty and costs will be determined at a later date following a teleconference to be held next week.

Paul Bittar, NZTR Chief Executive, stated that, "The processes employed by our integrity team to ensure standards of safety are upheld have been scrutinised and studied more than probably any other racing jurisdiction through this case, and these processes, in particular our drug testing protocols, have been fully vindicated. NZTR is pleased to have now received the Committee's decision."

"Most importantly, this decision supports the strong line the industry takes on Jockey safety and sends a clear message that prohibited substances will not be tolerated in our sport."

"It is regrettable that this case has taken so long to reach resolution but this was, in large part, a result of challenges on various issues heard through the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court."

Cropp tested positive in a random test at Te Rapa racecourse, Hamilton, on May 05, 2005.

The jockey subsequently appealed the legality of her failed test, arguing that it infringed her human rights, but on June 17, 2008, the New Zealand Supreme Court ruled the test was valid.

Cropp could be suspended for up to 12 months and/or fined up to $NZ10,000. NZTR has indicated that costs will be sought.

Cropp topped the New Zealand jockeys' premiership in the 2005-06 and 2006-07 seasons and finished second last year. Cropp's mounts in those three seasons won 408 races and $NZ7,337,750 in prize money. Cropp, as jockey, earned 5% of the stakes of her winning mounts, i.e. $366,887, plus the riding fee.

Additional reporting NZTR