Dougie Costello latest jockey to voice concerns over reliability of swab tests

Multiple Grade-1 and Group 1-winning jockey Dougie Costello has backed calls from fellow riders for a review into the testing procedure that led to Sean Levey recording a false positive last week.

Costello was riding at Sandown and also took a saliva test before racing on the day Levey was stood down.

The principle behind making the sport clean is one Costello fully backs, but unreliability in the swab tests is causing concern for many riders, including Professional Jockeys Association Flat president PJ McDonald, who on Thursday said "we have absolutely no confidence in them".

Costello said: “It could have been me that picked up the test Sean did and it can tarnish your name. I don’t have a yard behind me and I have a family to feed, so all these things go through your mind and I felt very sorry for Sean.

“The whole principle of what they’re doing regarding testing is perfectly correct to make the sport clean but they need to make sure these tests work properly.”

Sean Levey: missed out significant income following his false positiveCredit: John Grossick

Costello called on Jerry Hill, the BHA’s chief medical adviser, to explain the situation that led to Levey missing eight days in the saddle.

The Galway-born former jump jockey is also not convinced taking away saunas from racecourses is having the desired effect.

He said: “Jockeys are sweating in their cars and going to saunas away from the track, so I’m not sure what taking the saunas away has achieved.

"As a rider, you will do everything in your power to do the required weight. You have to lose your weight before you head racing now and we have to be dehydrated from leaving home to riding on the track instead of being dehydrated for a short period of time on course. We are now, overall, dehydrated for longer periods.

“Jerry is an unbelievable doctor and a gentleman to deal with, but he should be there to answer questions and do interviews and I’d like to see him come out and explain the logic behind the saunas and why Sean’s situation turned out the way it did.

“Racing is my world and I’m passionate about horses, I’ve been over here [in Britain] 22 years and it’s not the first time we’ve been let down in the weighing room. It’s nothing new but jockeys are concerned about these issues.”

Read more . . .

Sean Levey urges rethink on test protocol after returning with dramatic winner

'We have absolutely no confidence in it' – riders concerned by swab reliability (Members' Club)

'Aggrieved' Sean Levey hopes lessons will be learned from false saliva positive

Sean Levey cleared to resume riding after second test proves negative

Richard Forristal: Racing League has to go – and Sean Levey saga was a suitably shambolic end

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