BHA pauses saliva drugs tests after Levey’s false positive

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has paused its anti-doping saliva testing after jockey Sean Levey’s false positive result, with the pilot programme now under review.

Levey was stood down from riding earlier this month after random saliva sample tested positive for banned substance amphetamine, with a follow-up urine sample coming back negative a week later.

After missing nine days of riding, including Racing League’s finale and a chance to win a ?20,000 bonus as the competition’s top rider, Levey had called for a ‘full investigation’ into the matter and had revealed to Sky Sports Racing that he was considering legal action.

Speaking exclusively to Sky Sports Racing, Levey said he wasn’t “given the opportunity to prove myself as innocent”.

In a statement on Wednesday, the BHA confirmed that saliva testing, which began in May 2021, will no longer take place following “negative laboratory follow-up analysis” in the aftermath of the Levey incident.

Racing’s governing body are now working with Levey to determine “different approaches that could be used when testing in the future”.

“A review of the pilot, which has tested more than 1,300 samples, is now underway to determine what can be learned and agree with the PJA on a combined approach to a robust testing model,” the BHA’s statement read.

“We will also be working with Sean Levey to determine how his positive sample came about in order to understand what challenges could be faced and different approaches that could be used when testing in the future.

“The pilot was a collaboration with the PJA and there has been a notable reduction in positive cases since its inception.

“It’s important we incorporate all feedback and make improvements where necessary to ensure we continue keeping racing safe, fair and clean.”