An eminent trainer was suspended after a race horse high on methamphetamine surged to a second-place finish at a major New Mexico race.

Michael Joiner was sidelined when his Oklahoma-bred horse, Js On Fire, tested positive for meth following a near-victory at the American Quarter Horse Association Racing Challenge on October 19.

About 0.485 nanograms of the drug were detected in the animal's system, which Joiner's attorney said was a 'very, very, very small' amount.

'It's invisible to see with the naked eye,' Billy Blackburn told KOAT. 'But as a result of that, the New Mexico racing commission suspended [Joiner] immediately without a hearing.'

In a motion appealing his suspension, Joiner argued the exposure was the result of 'environmental contamination' and denied wrongdoing. 

The ban would have prevented him from racing as a trainer anywhere in the country.

However, a state district judge in Albuquerque on Monday issued an emergency temporary restraining order.

That will allow Joiner to continue racing until the New Mexico Racing Commission holds a disciplinary hearing on his horse's meth case, which could take up to a year.

Michael Joiner was been suspended after his horse (left, in blue) tested positive for methamphetamine following a major New Mexico race

The New Mexico Racing Commission learned that Js on Fire (second left) had tested positive for about 0.485 nanograms meth of two weeks after the race

The New Mexico Racing Commission was told that Js on Fire had tested positive for meth two weeks after he finished second at the Albuquerque race.

Joiner's suspension was issued on October 31, sidelining him from all racetracks in the state.

That ban effectively meant that Joiner could not race anywhere in the country - which he appealed in a motion.

'Most importantly however, a summary suspension in one state's racing commission is honored in all racing jurisdictions and therefore Joiner cannot participate in any racing activities in any horse racing jurisdictions in the US,' his motion said, according to the Albuquerque Journal. 

The trainer was described as having worked for more than 24 world-class owners, including the current and former chairman of the New Mexico Racing Commission.

Since beginning his training career in 1979, Joiner has won quarter horse races across the United States.

His most active states included California, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas, per the motion.