Many an office team has complained about understaffing throughout the recession… but now overstaffing is said to have been a contributing factor in horse racing’s biggest doping scandal.

Twenty-two horses tested positive for anabolic steroids at the Godolphin Racing stables in Newmarket earlier this year. An investigation by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) into the doping concluded that one trainer, Mahmood Al Zarooni, was responsible. 

However, the report noted that Godolphin’s organisational structure “allowed him to operate in that way and go undetected” by colleagues.

The BHA went on to say: “It appears that, as a result of Godolphin’s large workforce, established roles have become fragmented and diluted. This has resulted in a confused execution of tasks such as feeding, and giving and recording the use of medication.”