New equine drug testing procedures planned for UK

The British Horseracing Authority are to modernise their equine drug testing procedures next year following a review.

Currently all tests are carried out after races but that is to change in 2010, making testing less predictable.

While post-race testing will continue, some tests will be will taken pre-race and some in-training.

Professor Tim Morris, BHA Director of Equine Science and Welfare, said: "We have been working with colleagues around the world, and in British horseracing, to ensure we have a system in which everyone can have confidence.

"This new approach will allow us to ensure a good spread of testing, whilst increased unpredictability in testing will deter offenders.

"We also want to be able to act quickly on intelligence received and deter the extremely small minority of people in our sport who might cheat."

Paul Scotney, BHA Director of Integrity Services and Licensing, added: "These changes are designed to enhance our capacity to enforce the Rules of the sport effectively, and make most effective use of the information available.

"We want to extend our sources of information, so that the overwhelming majority of participants who want a clean sport will feel able to contribute information in a confidential way, knowing it will be handled appropriately.

"Targeted testing will be done based on established objective procedures, the Authority uses an intelligence system based on the Police National Intelligence Model, which set standards for process, professionalism, fairness and confidentiality. We will continue to work to build the trust necessary to do this."