A recent report from the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) into the investigation of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (UK-EACL) has uncovered significant shortcomings attributed to the lab and its director, Dr. Scott Stanley, including instances of "deliberate misrepresentations" regarding positive test results. The findings were made public on Tuesday.
The report outlines several troubling issues leading up to the investigation, such as UK-EACL's consistent delays in reporting results, unprofessional behaviour from staff, and a lack of responsiveness to HIWU inquiries. A primary trigger for the investigation was HIWU's discovery of intentional misrepresentations related to sample analyses.
Key revelations from the six-month investigation include:
- UK-EACL's non-compliance with essential testing protocols and standard operating procedures.
- Misleading claims concerning the lab's capabilities to test for specific substances, including erythropoietin (EPO), as well as the completion of analyses for various samples.
- Under Dr Stanley's direction, the lab failed to conduct confirmatory tests on 91 samples that screened positive for potentially prohibited substances, falsely reporting them as negative.
As a result of these findings, HIWU re-evaluated and reconciled all potentially affected samples. In addition, HISA is pursuing reimbursement from the University of Kentucky for the lab's non-compliance.
In November 2023, HIWU requested confirmation regarding a sample from another lab that tested positive for EPO. Dr Stanley later reported that the sample was tested twice and found negative, but in the following month, UK-EACL staff revealed that the sample had not been analyzed and remained sealed in storage.
The investigation also identified failures in testing protocols for methamphetamine and cobalt, with testing for cobalt conducted only a few days per month. Deficiencies in procedures for glaucine and triamcinolone were noted, as well as evidence of Lasix use in horses that were ineligible, which went unreported to HIWU.
Additionally, HIWU received invoices for "numerous analyses of samples that were never actually performed" by the laboratory.
The investigation included testimonies from over 15 current and former lab employees, alongside a thorough review of lab performance and staffing. Upon re-assessment, two samples were confirmed as adverse findings for controlled substances and will be addressed under the ADMC program, while two others were cleared, leading to HIWU retracting sanctions and refunding associated fines and costs.
Ben Mosier, HIWU's executive director, emphasized the organization's commitment to maintaining the integrity of Thoroughbred racing and swiftly addressing any deficiencies. "Our decision to investigate UK-EACL and uncover ongoing deceitful activities has helped halt practices that were detrimental to our horsemen and could jeopardize equine welfare," he stated.
HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus commended the efforts to rectify these violations and affirmed that the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) program is enhancing the fairness and integrity of the sport. She also expressed gratitude to the University of Kentucky for their collaboration during the investigation.
To ensure continued compliance among other program laboratories, HIWU is enhancing their Negative Sample Exchange Program and plans to implement HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation by January 1, 2025. This accreditation aims to strengthen compliance monitoring by HIWU and improve the Equine Quality Assurance Scheme sample program. Currently, laboratory accreditation is managed by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. HIWU and HISA were previously mandated to utilize UK-EACL’s services as per the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act.
Pending HEAL accreditation will empower HIWU to enforce stringent compliance across all program laboratories with ADMC requirements.
On March 5, 2024, HIWU and HISA announced an investigation into the UK lab under the ADMC program. The lab was one of the first six selected by HISA and HIWU, but concerns about Dr. Stanley's and some staff members' conduct emerged early on. Their failure to respond to critical communications from HIWU, alongside frequent unprofessional interactions, ultimately led HIWU to cease sending samples to the UK lab by February 16, 2024.
Dr. Stanley did not respond to a call made to his mobile phone, and there was no activated voicemail.