Sheikh Mohammed Calls In APCO To Defend Image In Wake Of Horse Doping Scandal

UAE PM Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has called in global PR agency APCO "to deal with the media after 11 of his racehorses tested positive for banned substances in Britain," according to Daniel Farey-Jones of PR WEEK. APCO, which has an office in Dubai, "is defending Sheikh Mohammed and his Godolphin stables." APCO also has "been dealing with sports journalists to take them through the case and stress the Sheikh was not personally aware of the use of steroids at his stables." In the statement, Sheikh Mohammed said he was "appalled and angered to learn one of our stables in Newmarket has violated Godolphin’s ethical standards and the rules of British racing" (PR WEEK, 5/1).