Nick Ryan suspension explained: why it’s trending

Published 3 November 2026 at 5:16 am · 10 sources · 1000+ searches today

Racing Victoria suspended Flemington trainer Nick Ryan’s licence effective immediately on Monday, 2 November 2026, while an inquiry continues into an alleged prohibited substance found during a stable inspection. Australians are searching because the suspension landed just before the Melbourne Cup and triggered late scratchings across the carnival.

Key facts

2 November 2026: Racing Victoria suspended Nick Ryan’s licence immediately
31 October 2026: two syringes were allegedly found in a car glove box at Flemington
The syringes allegedly contained darbepoetin alfa, banned under Prohibited List A
Ryan was charged under Australian Rule of Racing 250(a) and reserved his plea
Melbourne Cup week runners Terrortorian and Haaracaine were ordered out

What happened

Ryan was charged under Australian Rule of Racing 250(a), which covers possession of a substance on the banned list. He has reserved his plea, and the allegation has not been finally determined.

Ryan did not attend Monday’s hearing. At his lawyer’s request, stewards adjourned the matter for 28 days. The inquiry may also examine the conduct of veterinarian Dr Luke Campbell.

Why Australians are searching now

Stewards ordered the late withdrawal of Ryan-trained Anglais from the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes and Doubt Time from the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day.

The issue has drawn attention because it affected races at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week, when public interest in racing is at its highest.

Which races were affected

The reports available so far describe an alleged possession offence, not a finding that any horse was administered darbepoetin alfa.

As of 3 November 2026, the stewards’ inquiry remains ongoing and no final finding has been reported in the evidence provided.

What to watch next

For now, the practical impact is that Ryan remains suspended and his runners have been withdrawn from key Flemington races during Melbourne Cup week.

As of 3 November 2026, there is no final determination in the available reports, so the matter should be treated as an allegation under investigation rather than a proven doping case.

Frequently asked

Why is Nick Ryan trending in Australia today?

He was suspended by Racing Victoria on 2 November 2026, just before the Melbourne Cup. The case involves an alleged prohibited substance and several late scratchings at Flemington.

What was allegedly found at Nick Ryan’s stable?

Officials allegedly found two syringes in the glove box of his car during an unannounced inspection on 31 October 2026. The syringes allegedly contained darbepoetin alfa.

What is darbepoetin alfa in this case?

It is described in the reports as a synthetic form of EPO. It is listed as prohibited under Prohibited List A of the Australian Rules of Racing.

Were any of Nick Ryan’s horses scratched from the Melbourne Cup meeting?

Yes. Terrortorian and Haaracaine were ordered out of their scheduled Flemington races around Melbourne Cup week, and Anglais and Doubt Time were also late scratchings on Derby Day.

Sources

Researched automatically from live news and written by Simpledot's AI; facts are limited to what the sources above report as of the published time. Spot an error? Tell us.