“Keeping Racing Safe”: Elite Equestrian Authority Comes Up With Novel ‘Testing Process’ to Put an End to Doping Practices

To keep the sport fair and healthy anti-doping tests are conducted. In equestrian sports, anti-doping tests are performed for both the rider and the horse. The tests are conducted by the governing body of the particular country. In Britain, the British Horseracing Authority governs the horse racing game. Recently, the authority has announced the start of a trial of a new anti-doping test.

Over the years with the detection of anti-doping cases, the elite equestrian authority has taken several steps to strengthen its system and make it more robust with the changing time. This latest test was formed after the positive engagement from the jockey fraternity for effective analysis of test results.

British Horseracing Authority’s new anti-doping trial

On the 4th of August, the British Horseracing Authority announced that it will begin the trial of its new anti-doping measure to keep the game clean and fair. At the beginning of this month, saliva and sweat samples will be taken from Jockeys which will be analyzed by the authorities. It is a pilot program in which the test’s feasibility will be measured. Later on, these tests will be implemented on a larger scale with feedback from this program.

Last September, the authorities suspended the saliva test to review its process. This time it implemented it with major changes in its process. The test kit of new testing measures is approved by the home office. The kit is already in use globally, takes less than sixty seconds to collect the sample, and delivers results in five minutes.

The authority’s Director of Integrity and Regulatory Operations, Tim Naylor said, “I am pleased to be able to confirm the start of a new oral fluid testing pilot“. He thanked the jockeys involved in the process of formulation of the new test because without them it wouldn’t be possible. Tim further said, “Keeping racing safe, clean, and fair is our number one priority, and this testing provides us with an opportunity to not only protect the welfare of our human participants but also the horses taking part in races“. The authorities also introduced some changes in testing measures.

British Horseracing Authority’s new measures

Another change in this new trial will be witnessed in testing measures. After a non-negative result from the first test, a second test will be conducted. In case of a non-negative result in the second screening, the jockey will be barred from taking part in the race that day. A urine sample will be collected. If the result of the urine test comes negative then the jockey can continue to ride the next day. The jockey’s association will be involved in these tests to provide suggestions for improvement if any. The authorities are reflecting their serious effort by such measures to eradicate the doping problem.

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British Horseracing Authority is an independent regulator. It has set rules and regulations and has a list of prohibited items to which the jockey and the horse owner have to adhere to. Over the years it has imposed heavy penalties on those who have caught ii ati-doping tests.

The new test is an effort by the British Horseracing Authority to eradicate the doping menace by formulating more accurate and robust tests and processes. Thus, keeping the game clean and enjoyable.

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