PRAGUE: The winning horse of last year’s 125th edition of the Velka Pardubicka steeplechase has been stripped of the victory after testing positive for caffeine and theobromine.

It is the first time the winner of the race has tested positive for doping. The 6.9-kilometre race is considered one of the toughest in Europe.

The Czech Jockey Club’s disciplinary committee announced its decision to disqualify the winning horse, Nikas, on Thursday.

Earlier in this month, the results of the “B’’ sample confirmed the initial positive test. Ribelino, who finished second in the October 11 race, took the trophy.