Seven more horses trained by Mahmood al-Zarooni have tested positive for anabolic steroids. This brings the total of positive-tested animals under Zarooni's care to 22 out of 391 horses.

One of the horses is 2012 St. Leger winner, Encke, which surprised many fans around the world.

The British Horseracing Authority screened all horses trained by Godolphin trainer Zarooni in April, when 11 animals at his stable were tested positive for illegal drugs. He was banned for eight years by the BHA. All 22 horses are also suspended for six months from when the blood samples were taken. Zarooni admitted to administering prohibited substances to four of his horses, but is appealing against the severity of the ban.

"Whatever the outcome of his appeal before the independent Appeal Board, the gravity and scale of the infringements warranted Mahmood Al Zarooni being removed from control of the yard as quickly as possible," BHA chief executive Paul Bittar told Reuters.

The 7 horses that tested positive are Encke, Energizer, Genius Beast, Improvisation, Stamford, Steeler, and Zip Top. These horses are at Godolphin Moulton Paddocks Stables, Dubai's private horse racing stable in Newcastle, England.

Zarooni also trains for Godolphin owner and Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who has been seriously embarrassed by the scandal, Reuters reported.

"There can be no excuse for any deliberate violation. I have been involved in British horse racing for 30 years and have deep respect for its traditions and rules. I built my country based on the same solid principles. I can assure the racing public that no horse will run from that yard this season until I have been absolutely assured by my team that the entire yard is completely clean," said Sheikh Mohammed, the Examiner reported.

The BHA accused Zarooni, who is Emirati, of "deliberately flouting" the rules and a "widespread systematic misuse of illegal substances."

Zarooni won the Dubai World Cup in March last year, which is the world's richest horse race, according to Reuters. He also won the prestigious St. Leger with Encke in September. The BHA confirmed that Encke tested negative after that race.