British Horseracing Authority To Increase Drug Testing At Cheltenham

Drug and drink testers "will be out in force at Cheltenham next week in an attempt to deter would-be dopers at the world’s premier festival of jumps racing," according to Mark Souster of the LONDON TIMES. Although details of the measures to be taken by the British Horseracing Authority "must be kept secret to guarantee an element of surprise, the governing body will have a significant presence at the four-day meeting," beyond that of lower-profile racedays. It is understood that every winner "is likely to be tested, as well as horses that either over or under-perform in the eyes of the stewards." Jockeys will face "on-the-spot breath and urine testing." Officials could announce random breath-testing on any given day, "which would mean every rider having to blow into a machine similar to those used by police." They will "have to provide their breath sample before they weigh out for their first ride and the result is immediately available" (LONDON TIMES, 3/8).