Raceday saliva testing paused by BHA after Sean Levey's false positive result

Saliva testing jockeys on racedays has been paused by the BHA following a false positive returned by Sean Levey.

Levey was stood down for eight days, during which time he also missed out on potentially winning £20,000 for being the Racing League’s leading rider, after a saliva test conducted at Sandown on September 14 returned positive for traces of amphetamines.

The rider maintained his innocence throughout the process and a more rigorous laboratory examination of a urine sample taken the day after Sandown showed no signs of any prohibited substances.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the BHA said: “The BHA can confirm that the anti-doping saliva testing pilot programme, which started in May 2021, was paused following a negative laboratory follow-up analysis requested after a point of care racecourse non-negative saliva sample donated by Sean Levey at Sandown.

“A review of the pilot, which has tested more than 1,300 samples, is now under way to determine what can be learned and agreed with the PJA [Professional Jockeys Association] on a combined approach to a robust testing model. 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.

“Further updates on the progress of this review will be communicated in due course.”

After being cleared to return to riding, Levey said it was “hard not to feel aggrieved” at what had happened to him and argued the procedure should be looked at again in light of his case.

Fellow riders, including PJA Flat president PJ McDonald, also expressed their concern and lack of faith in the programme.

Rapid saliva testing produces results within 15 minutes and shows whether the metabolites of banned substances are present in a rider's system. Should a jockey fail a test, they are stood down while a further sample is taken for lab testing.

The introduction of saliva tests was hailed by former PJA chief executive Paul Struthers as an "essential piece of the jigsaw" in stopping riders from using drugs following a spate of positive tests, and subsequent bans, for cocaine.

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