Gerard Butler has lodged an appeal against the five-year ban imposed by the British Horseracing Authority over the use of banned steroids on some of his horses.

The results of a BHA inquiry held in November were released last Wednesday, with Group One-winning trainer Butler having admitted all seven charges against him relating to samples of an anabolic steroid found in horses in his care.

Nine horses produced positive samples, five cases of which were identified as the joint treatment Sungate which contains the banned anabolic steroid stanozolol.

However, considered even more serious was Butler's admission of administering another substance, Rexogin, to four horses himself.

Rexogin is designed for use in humans, often for bodybuilding, and contains 10 times as much stanozolol as Sungate.

Butler said he had made a "big mistake, and (I) am paying a big price" following the inquiry, but has now decided to contest the result of the hearing.

The BHA said no date had been set for the hearing and Butler would remain a disqualified person in the meantime.