• Horse Racing

BHA to up doping measures in 2014

ESPN staff
December 23, 2013
Mahmood Al Zarooni was banned from training horses for eight years in April © PA Photos
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The British Horseracing Authority has announced it is to improve its doping measures following the high-profile cases of trainers Mahmood Al Zarooni and Gerard Butler.

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Following a review of their current measures, the BHA confirmed it will double testing in training samples while also increasing post-race samples by 20% from January 1.

Earlier in December, Butler was handed a five-year ban for personally administering banned steroid Rexogin to four horses in his care. Five other horses had also tested positive for the banned Sungate treatment.

Al Zarooni was banned for eight years in April after tests showed traces of anabolic steroids in 11 of his horses.

"The two high-profile investigations this year have brought BHA's anti-doping and medication control policy into the spotlight, and highlighted the need for an appropriately robust strategy towards doping control," BHA chief executive Paul Bittar said.

"The objective is that via enhancements to our testing programme and strategy, as well as the significant penalties handed to those who have breached the rules this year, we increase the deterrent against the use of prohibited substances."

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