Tests reveal hermaphrodite Aussie horse

The future of a female Australian racing horse was thrown into doubt yesterday after its trainer revealed it was a hermaphrodite with internal testes and high testosterone levels, reports said.

In an equine echo of the controversy surrounding South African athlete Caster Semenya, authorities ordered hormone tests for the four-year-old Newcastle mare Tuscan Abbe after she staged a convincing race meet win.

Trainer Les Kosklin told Fairfax newspapers that officials raided his stables after the race, suspecting doping, and a swab revealed the pacer's testosterone levels were "through the roof".

An examination showed Tuscan Abbe had internal testes which were producing large amounts of the hormone, and she was found to have a male Y chromosome, Mr Kosklin said. The discovery put her future in question, he added, as it was unlikely she would be allowed to compete in mares and fillies events such as the Ladyship Mile.

"We might have to change that to the Miracle Mile (stallions event) now," Mr Kosklin joked.

Fairfax said the case was not unique with Canada's Arizona Helen found to have male and female features this year, while Australian horse What Am I is also intersex.