But above all, he had a long struggle with alcohol use, for which the racing industry maintains a low raceday tolerance due to the high risk of the sport. Desormeaux failed breathalyzer tests in 2010 at Woodbine, and in 2012 at Belmont Park, the latter costing him mounts in the Preakness and Belmont that year. The alcohol issues led many trainers to shy away from using him. "It was a tough decision on the personal level because we're friends. But it wasn't a tough decision on the business level", explained trainer Dale Romans. "When the good Kent shows up, he is the best rider in the country and one of the best of all time. That's what the shame of it is."