Classic-winning jockey Sean Levey cleared of taking amphetamine

24 July 2023 , 15:14

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Sean Levey: cleared of taking a prohibited substance (Image: PA)

Classic-winning jockey Sean Levey did not take any prohibited drugs nor commit any offence when he was stood down by the BHA on medical grounds last year.

Levey missed eight days of riding and was denied the opportunity to claim a potential £20,000 bonus as leading rider during the Racing League after failing a saliva test in September.

The first test returned a positive for traces of amphetamine but a more detailed second analysis of a urine sample proved negative.

Levey was allowed to return to action but said the public announcement of the false positive had tarnished his reputation.

The case led the BHA to pause the Rapid Saliva Testing procedure which had been operating for four months.

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On Monday the governing body released a statement in which it said it “completely accepts” that Levey did not take amphetamine and blamed the result on a supplement.

“The BHA would like to provide the following update on the oral fluid testing pilot, which was paused following a negative laboratory follow-up analysis requested after a point of care racecourse non-negative sample given by Sean Levey at Sandown on Wednesday 14 September 2022,” it said.

“Following that negative laboratory follow-up analysis, the BHA has carried out extensive analysis to ascertain the circumstances behind the original non-negative, remaining in close communication with Mr Levey throughout. The BHA is grateful for his co-operation during this time.

“The BHA completely accepts that Mr Levey did not take amphetamine or any other prohibited substance and has not committed any offence under the Rules of Racing, with the cause of the non-negative appearing to have been a supplement that those administering the test were not aware of at the time.

“A further update regarding the resumption of the oral fluid testing pilot will follow in due course.”

Levey, 35, is based with Richard Hannon, for whom he won the 2018 1,000 Guineas on Billesdon Brook and the 2019 Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on King Of Change. He has ridden 32 winners this year.

He declined to comment.

Jon Lees