Boom Sydney apprentice Josh Adams has been banned from riding for a period of seven months after testing positive to a banned substance.

Adams was hit with the ban yesterday after it was revealed he returned a positive test on the morning of April 5.

The 19 year old has admitted to being heavily intoxicated on the night of the Golden Slipper, but denied he knowingly consumed any illicit substances.

“I didn’t knowingly take anything at the time, but I shouldn’t have been in that position in the first place. I wasn’t with people I usually associate with… I was with people not in racing. The concluding part of the night was a bit of a blur, I wasn’t 100 per cent sure what happened.

“I am guilty of stupidity more than anything for putting myself in a situation where I was compromised,” said Adams.

Adams, who rides for Sydney trainer Gerald Ryan has already sown up the title of Sydney’s leading apprentice this season with 42 metropolitan winners. He will still receive recognition for his efforts during his suspension.

Deputy Chief Steward Marc Van Gestel acknowledged Adams’ account of events was truthful but said the teenager could have avoided the situation.

“As a rider, your conduct is expected to be beyond reproach, but that has been compromised,” said Van Gestel.

Pat Webster, who is counsellor for Racing NSW attended the hearing to support of Adams.

“Josh has volunteered to be a role model in the future, so they (young riders) can learn from his mistakes. That shows how sincere he is. He wants to make something good from something bad,” said Webster.

Should he undergo drug rehabilitation, Adams will have two months shaved off his ban.

Adams is still able to ride at today’s Canterbury meeting and at Rosehill on Saturday, where he has been engaged to ride Ironstein in the 2400m Winter Cup.

“I know that when I come back there won’t be a jockey in Sydney that will ride better than me,” said Adams.