BHA to implement hair testing as part of steroid policy

The British Horseracing Authority will implement hair testing to screen for

the retrospective administration of anabolic steroids as part of its enhanced

zero-tolerance anabolic steroids policy, according to Racing Post. 

Hair samples can be used to detect if a horse has received anabolic steroids at

any point in its life.

Under the BHA's new policy, which will go into effect March 2, a racehorse

may not be administered anabolic steroids at any point from birth to retirement

from racing. Those found to have received anabolic steroids will be banned from

racing for 14 months.

All horses imported into Britain will be required to be accompanied by a

negative anabolic steroids sample. In the United States, yearlings are allowed

to receive exogenous anabolic steroids until 45 days prior to sales.

"Hair sampling on its own could be used to bring charges in certain

circumstances," BHA Media Manager Robin Mounsey told Racing Post. "Those

circumstances would include the ability to prove in whose care the horse was in

at the time of the administration, and that it was against the rules of racing

to administer the substances in question."

Dr. Scott Stanley from UC Davis addressed the topic of hair samples for

anti-doping at last week's Consignors and Commercial Breeders' Association

educational seminar in Lexington, Kentucky.

"I've spoken to sale companies to try to get ahead of this," Stanley said.

"The vast majority of horses would be tested before going overseas to give the

buyer or seller confidence, but we have yet to determine the most appropriate

way to go.

"The BHA responded with a very strong statement saying they will not have

anabolic steroids in British horse racing. Drugs remain in the hair almost

permanently. The blood supply is what delivers the drug into the hair at the

follicle as it is growing. We can also determine if it is multiple or singular

administration."

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