Racing: Jockeys' breathalysers begin with teetotaller
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jockeys have been breathalysed on a British racecourse for the first time. Twelve riders were tested before racing at Brighton on Tuesday under new Jockey Club rules, and they all passed.
Alan Daly was the first one of the dozen and said: "It was ironic that I was the first to be done. I wasn't in the least bit worried, because I am teetotal."
His weighing-room colleague Martin Dwyer added: "It was a spot check and none of us expected it, but it is comforting to know that everyone sailed through, which is the way it should be."
In procedures announced last month, the jockey ranks will have to cope with 3,000 tests a year for alcohol and for drugs such as cocaine and ecstasy. The Jockey Club's aim is to increase testing to 12 to 14 race meetings a month.
The plan is for urine samples to be taken from six to eight riders and breathalyser tests from 12 to 16, covering two jump meetings and one Flat card during the winter and the reverse ratio during the summer.
RACING IN BRIEF
* Richard Johnson has deposed Tony McCoy at the top of the jump jockeys' table. Johnson had joined McCoy on the 36-winner mark with a double at Newton Abbot on Monday. Victory on Chivite at Uttoxeter yesterday moved him ahead of the champion who has been out of action since breaking his right arm in a fall on 18 June. He is aiming to return in three weeks.
* Michael Jarvis's success with his two-year-olds this season continued at Lingfield yesterday when Dallaah became his sixth juvenile to score first time out from nine runners.
* Ladbrokes are quoting odds of 5-1 against Zuhair winning the race now named in his honour at Glorious Goodwood for a fifth consecutive time. The 10-year-old, trained by David Nicholls, has proved unstoppable in the five-furlong handicap.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments