Michael Wayne Joyner, a renowned Quarter Horse trainer, has been suspended by the New Mexico Horse Racing Commission starting October 31, 2025, following a positive methamphetamine test for his horse Jay’s on Fire after finishing second in the Grade 1 AQHA Challenge Championship Stakes at Albuquerque Downs on October 19. However, a District Court judge, Nancy Frankini, granted Joyner a preliminary injunction on December 29, allowing him to continue racing until a disciplinary hearing occurs, citing potential “irreparable injury or harm” and a substantial chance that Joyner will prevail in the case.
The New Mexico Horse Racing Commission is awaiting split sample test results before setting an evidentiary hearing, with executive director Izzy Trejo confirming the process. Joyner has argued that the methamphetamine presence likely came from environmental contamination at Albuquerque Downs or from racetrack employees handling the horses, emphasizing the difficulty trainers face in controlling such external factors. He pointed to a 2022 New Mexico State Police video revealing illegal activity and drug use near the racetrack stables, which he claims has persisted, potentially leading to contamination.
Joyner stated that Jay’s on Fire is one of four horses stabled at Albuquerque for the championship and highlighted the presence of fencing and security at the barn area. His attorney also noted that homelessness and drug issues cited were not evident during the live race. Richard Bustamante, general counsel for the Horse Racing Commission, dismissed the contamination claim as speculation. Joyner, a veteran Quarter Horse trainer since 1979 with over 1,000 wins, including major events like the 2023 G1 All-American Futurity, manages a barn in Sunland Park, NM, although his horses race in several states.
He also mentioned previous similar low-level methamphetamine findings at Lone Star Park in Texas in 2024, which resulted in no penalties due to ruled contamination. One of his horses, Flying Sophia, was disqualified from prize money after finishing second in a Texas race. Joyner expressed support for efforts to eliminate illegal drug use in racing, stressing he never administers stimulants and is committed to clean competition. His clients include notable figures in the racing industry like the chairman of the New Mexico Horse Racing Commission and the owner of Ruidoso Downs.
Fan Take: This case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing fair competition with the realities of environmental contamination in horse racing. For fans, it underscores the need for rigorous testing protocols and transparent investigations to maintain trust in the integrity of the sport.
