Gerard Butler banned for five years

British horseracing trainer Gerard Butler has been banned for five years following a British Horseracing Authority investigation into the use of illegal steroids.

Butler, who faced a total of seven charges, will be unable to compete in the sport until 2018.

The Irishman, 47, had previously admitted to injecting nine of his horses with a banned substance when they were tested at his Newmarket stables in February.

However, he claimed that he was assured by vets that the Sungate product was legal in curing injured joints.