BHA pauses swab tests after jockey complaints

Jockey Kieran O'Neill has claimed something is "amiss" with a new saliva drug test used by racing chiefs.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has paused a trial of the tests until an issue with his sample is resolved.

O'Neill was prevented from riding at Southwell on Tuesday after returning a positive sample but given the all-clear to resume riding on Wednesday.

"I have not done anything wrong here and something needs to be done very quickly," he told Sky Sports Racing.

"It is very embarrassing for me to have to leave the racecourse yesterday and everyone is there looking at you."

After two failed swab tests, a subsequent urine sample was negative, allowing O'Neill to return to racing, but that sample will have further tests. Until that result is known, the BHA says it will not use the kits in question.

"My urine test will come back clear, I have no doubts about that in my mind," O'Neill added.

"I really cannot see how this has happened. Is there something wrong with the salivas again? For me yes, because I have done nothing wrong - I have never taken a drug in my life and I am clear."

Fellow jockey Sean Levey was similarly sidelined in September 2022 when returning a false positive, leading to the saliva test pilot being paused.

"For me something has gone amiss," O'Neill said.

"I have no problem doing any test, they can take hair, another urine from me, that is no problem. I have been tested in France and probably 20 times last year and nothing has ever been found, but now all of a sudden since the swab tests have come back, something was found."

The Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) said it did not know a new trial was under way, and chief executive Paul Struthers said the body immediately requested the tests be put on hold.

"Issues that arose during the previous two pilot schemes meant that the PJA and its members had legitimate concerns about the testing kits and the process," he added.

On the BHA pausing its swab and saliva tests he said: "This is a sensible decision in the best interests of fair regulation, a decision we obviously support and welcome. The rest of the testing regime will continue as normal."

The BHA said its process "utilises a Home Office-approved testing kit used by police forces globally".

"We appreciate the strength of feeling from Mr O'Neill but this alone is not enough to make judgement about the testing process, or its ability to detect the intentional or sometimes inadvertent presence of substances in a rider's system," it added.

"The proper process must be allowed to take its course."