The man who took down Lance Armstrong set to take over drug testing in US racing

Travis Tygart, the man responsible for exposing some of the biggest doping scandals this century in his role as US Anti-Doping Agency (Usada) chief executive, says his organisation is ready to embrace the “huge responsibility” of taking over anti-doping and medication enforcement in US racing.

Usada has been behind bans for dopers such as cyclist Lance Armstrong, athletics coach Alberto Salazar and athletes linked to Balco labs scandal, such as Marion Jones, since coming into existence in 2000.

From next summer Usada will assume control of drug testing, anti-doping and medication violations as part of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act [Hisa], which was passed by US lawmakers at the end of last year, centralising the process for the first time.

While Usada has primarily focused on doping perpetrated by human athletes, Tygart believes there are no differences in the underlying principles of breaking the rules to win and is seeking to introduce a “gold standard” for racing.

Speaking on the Thoroughbred Daily News Weekly Podcast, Tygart said: “Cheating, honesty, ethics and the rule of sport are the same across all sports. While some might want to say there's a difference between equine anti-doping and medication control programmes and what happens in humans, the mentality of cheating and trying to get away and get an advantage over the rules is all the same.

US racing has suffered a number of setbacks around medicationCredit: PXHere

“We're really looking forward to it and it's a huge responsibility but one we're ready to embrace. [We will] learn the nuts and bolts of the industry that we don't know and put in a gold standard programme that people can have a lot of satisfaction and pride in [knowing it] allows an equal opportunity to win playing by the rules, which is all any athlete can ask for.”

The passing of the Hisa and introduction of Usada into the sport comes at a time when US racing has suffered a number of setbacks around medication, most notably the arrest and indictment of trainers Jorge Navarro and Jason Servis alongside several others last year on charges of running an illegal doping ring.

Trainer Bob Baffert was also prompted to make a public statement last November promising to do “everything possible" to prevent further violations after a number of his horses tested positive for prohibited raceday substances.

An education programme and willingness for those within racing to want to compete clean was as much a part of Usada's ambition as enhanced testing and penalties, according to Tygart, who added that he felt society was too willing to take shortcuts to wins.

“We don’t want people to cheat, but if it's too easy to get away with and there's no consequences when you get caught then people will take advantage and that's what we have to stop,” he said.

“I've sat down with Lance Armstrong, Tyler Hamilton, Marion Jones and I’ve heard the pressures on those athletes to win and I've heard about the hyper-competitive environment and the win at all costs mentality. There's a culture in our society, and we should be honest about it, that it's okay to win if you cheat as long as you don't get caught. In sport, the rules are very clear and they say you can't do that.

“In horseracing it's all the more important because the horses — the athletes — can't say no. They don't get a choice. They are at the whims of a trainer or an owner and that's unfair.”

Tygart added that while change would not happen overnight, the progress made to rid professional cycling of illegal drugs offered hope for other sports as well.

He said: “We have no choice but to fight as if we're going to win. What we see today in cycling is that athletes have hope and they can win. During the height of the Postal Service [and Lance Armstrong] series, I don't think you could have won a single stage if you weren't part of the doping culture.

“You should have a fair opportunity to win without breaking the rules and that's what we strive for every day.”

Read more:

'Landmark moment' - campaigners hail overhaul of drug regulation in US racing

Bob Baffert vows to prevent further positive tests after 'difficult' year

How do you get a horse to win? Scientists think they have discovered the answer

Pharmacy owner pleads guilty to charges in alleged doping ring case

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