Saliva Testing Trial Under Way at UK Racecourses

A saliva testing trial, a screening method for cocaine and some other banned substances, is now under way at UK racecourses, the British Horseracing Authority announced on Wednesday.

Utilising oral swabs, the testing method results are provided near-instantly indicating whether substances are present in a rider's system above existing thresholds. If the trial is successful, British racing will become the first major sport in Britain to utilise on-the-day screening for banned substances through oral swabs. If a jockey does not test negative during the trial, they would be stood down from riding that day, which brings with it added benefits in safeguarding human and equine welfare on raceday.

At this time, all jockeys have tested negative-at Kempton on Monday and Lingfield on Tuesday. The pilot will continue for a two-month period. Saliva testing is highly cost effective and, if the pilot is successful, it is likely that there would be an increase in raceday testing, which would be further supported by an increased budget for more testing.

Brant Dunshea, Chief Regulatory Officer for the BHA, said, “Saliva testing is a progressive next step for our testing and surveillance of prohibited substances. In particular, the fact that it provides near-instant results means that we are now able to screen for the substance on the day of race.

“The fact that it is a more cost-effective methodology will also allow us to significantly ramp up our testing capacity–something that we are supporting further through the allocation of an enhanced testing budget. This should serve to act both as a deterrent to those who might consider using prohibited substances and provide reassurance to those who are competing on raceday.

“We are grateful to the Professional Jockeys Association for working alongside us in developing this methodology. It is important that it is assessed through a substantive trial period before we commit to it in the longer term, but this trial period is the final step in what has been an extensive process.”

“We see the introduction of saliva testing as a tremendously important development, and it is supported by our members,” said Paul Struthers, Chief Executive of the Professional Jockeys Association, who assisted with the development of the pilot.

“An effective deterrent against the use of prohibited substances is an essential piece of the jigsaw in terms of keeping our jockeys healthy and safe. The increased testing which this methodology will allow, alongside the ability for on-the-day screening, represents a significant step towards that ambition.”

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BHA to Support Social Media Boycott

In conjunction with the sporting community, the British Horseracing Authority–as well as the Racecourse Association, Horsemen's Group, The Jockey Club and Professional Jockeys Association–will take part in a social media boycott beginning 9p.m. on Friday through 11:59 p.m. Monday, May 3. The action highlights the unchecked social media abuse and racism targeting sporting participants and was initially launched by English football's governing bodies last Saturday, with numerous other sport governing bodies, sponsors, partners, broadcasters and media outlets joining in.

“I am grateful to everyone in the sport who takes part in this boycott to help spread this clear message of solidarity to social media companies and say that enough is enough, and change is needed,” said Julie Harrington, chief executive of the BHA.

All racecourses with meetings this weekend have been informed of the planned support for the boycott, as well as the bodies representing the sport's participants.

The Professional Jockeys Association has co-funded a short film, “The Fall”, which will address social media abuse and its effect on mental health. The film is in post-production and will be released later this year.

PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers said, “Our members receive vile abuse on a daily basis. We are sick and tired of it and the lack of action by social media companies. We and our members stand shoulder to shoulder with other sports in sending a united message that online hate and discriminatory abuse is totally unacceptable and needs to be eliminated.”

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De La Sayette Informed of Cocaine Positive By PJA, Suspended By BHA

Benoit de la Sayett has returned a positive test for cocaine, the Professional Jockeys Association announced on Tuesday morning. The British Horseracing Authority has subsequently suspended De La Sayette until the end of the disciplinary process.

The 18-year-old apprentice jockey to John and Thady Gosden was shown in a video on social media in late March allegedly in the presence of the drug at a party after winning the Unibet Lincoln H. at Doncaster aboard Haqeeqy (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) on Mar. 27. At that time, the PJA defended the young rider and denying the allegation that he “did not and does not take cocaine.”

After the video surfaced, the BHA tested De La Sayett for cocaine metabolites on Mar. 31. His urine sample was negative, but his hair sample was positive for metabolites of the drug. De La Sayette was notified of the positive hair sample by the BHA on Apr. 17, the PJA said. The Frenchman has now admitted to taking the drug and to not being as forthcoming to those advising him, but maintains that the video was from October 2019 and that he did not take the drug then or after winning the Lincoln.

De La Sayette opted not to ride at Brighton where he had mounts on Saturday and has not accepted any more rides in the interim. He is fully co-operating with the BHA's disciplinary process.

De la Sayette said in a statement issued by the PJA, “I cannot apologise enough for my actions, both in respect of taking cocaine and of misleading those around me. Earlier this year I moved back home to live with my parents in order to take myself away from an environment where it was present.

“There are no excuses and I am sorry for letting down my family, the team at Clarehaven Stables, Mr. Gosden and my colleagues in the weighing room.”

PJA Chief Executive Paul Struthers added, “Benoit is a very young man who only turned 18 in December 2020. He has made mistakes but the PJA will continue to support him throughout the process.”

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BHA To Increase Syndicate Regulation

New regulations designed to “support public confidence” are to be introduced for syndicates and racing clubs in Britain.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that the 10 key measures, which include strengthening the existing code of conduct for syndicates and introducing the same for racing clubs, will be phased in over the next 12 months.

Presently, all publicly advertised syndicates that charge a management fee must provide members with a contract that covers specified areas.

Contract requirements will be extended and the BHA will increase its auditing of these contracts. Spot checks will be carried on a proportion of contracts to ensure that they comply with the code of conduct. Furthermore, syndicators will be required to disclose the percentage shares held by each member. Syndicate members will also be able to view their own recorded shareholdings through access to the BHA's Racing Administration system from early 2022.

“It is vital for the future of our sport that we are able to attract and retain racehorse owners. Syndicates and racing clubs clearly have a pivotal role to play in those efforts,” said the BHA's chief operating officer Richard Wayman. 

“The consultation responses confirmed that the sport has many extremely well-run ryndicates and racing clubs who give their members exemplary levels of service. It is crucial that the public can continue to have confidence in syndicates and racing clubs, which these measures have been designed to support.”

Dan Abraham, chairman of the Racehorse Syndicates Association added, “The consultation conducted by the BHA confirms the outstanding ownership experience available to members of syndicates and clubs. The BHA's review and strengthening of the regulations related to shared ownership should even further enhance the public's confidence. The appeal of syndicates and clubs is stronger than ever and the RSA welcomes the BHA's approach to provide increased protection for members as well as syndicators and club managers.”

Details of the BHA's review of shared ownership can be found via this link.

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