06 March 2024 , 11:33
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A furious jockey has slammed the BHA’s drug testing regime after being forced to miss all his rides when told he had failed a test.
Kieran O’Neill travelled to Southwell on Tuesday where he was booked on three mounts for trainer Scott Dixon. But he never got to ride them and was stood down by stewards after the result of a swab indicated the presence of drugs when he was selected for random testing.
Even after a subsequent urine test which he said was clear of any trace of drugs he was not allowed to ride "in the interests of safety". The 36-year-old O’Neill has ridden more than 600 winners and works for his partner trainer Alice Haynes and John and Thady Gosden in Newmarket.
O’Neill, who says he has never taken drugs and barely drinks, is due to ride at Kempton on Wednesday but has to undergo another test. He said he was in tears when he explained what had happened to his mother and fears the incident could taint his reputation.
Top jockey Sean Levey was the victim of a false positive and missed eight days’ riding in 2022 which led to the BHA pausing its saliva testing system.
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“I did two swab tests, the first one failed and then the second one failed,” said O’Neill. “Then I did a urine test and that seemed all right but it has to go to the lab. I have to do another swab test at Kempton.
“It’s all a shambles. It’s the same as what happened to Sean Levey. I am innocent and when the next urine test comes back clear the BHA is going to have serious questions to answer.
“Last night I was very angry and ashamed at having to explain to Scott Dixon what happened. I’ve no problem with taking a test but we had no idea the BHA were using these swab tests again.”
He went on: “I am not letting this go. If this happened to a young jockey his career would be ruined straight away. I have a very thick skin but I have nothing to hide.
“I rarely take a drink and have never touched drugs. People outside the sport will think I’ve taken drugs like cocaine and whatnot. It’s disheartening, I am angry. I was literally in tears ringing my mum last night.
“I am 100 per cent sure that I will pass the next urine test. This is embarrassing for myself and my family. This is my reputation and livelihood. I got no sleep last night, not that I have anything to worry about.”
In a statement the BHA said: “ The process for handling non-negative samples on raceday as part of the ongoing pilot of sweat/saliva sampling was agreed between the BHA and PJA.
“As part of the agreed process, which utilises a Home Office-approved testing kit used by police forces globally, should a rider return a non-negative sample then they will be tested a second time.
“Should the second sample also return non-negative then, in the interests of safety for horses and riders, the jockey should be stood down for the day.
“Mr O’Neill was stood down on the day having provided two non-negative samples. 16 jockeys were tested yesterday and 16 on Monday with only Mr O’Neill returning these two non-negative samples.
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Sean Levey missed eight days riding due to false positive (PA)“As part of the process a urine sample screening is also be taken on the day. This is for indicative processes only as part of the trial. It operates to different thresholds, and does not form part of the immediate regulatory process. Mr O’Neill’s urine sample returned a negative result on-course but is not relevant to his being able to ride today and beyond.
“This same urine sample is also sent away for analysis at the official testing laboratory. Mr O’Neill will be permitted to ride today and beyond, pending the return of this urine result, provided he returns a negative sweat/saliva sample prior to weighing out. A hair sample will also be taken.”
The statement added: “Ensuring the safety of jockeys competing in our sport is a priority for the BHA. We appreciate the strength of feeling from Mr O’Neill but this alone is not enough to make judgement about the testing process, or its ability to detect the intentional or sometimes inadvertent presence of substances in a rider’s system. The proper process must be allowed to take its course.”