RACING: The body that runs British racing has moved to defend its testing procedures in the wake of the news Frankie Dettori has tested positive for a banned substance while riding in France.

Dettori becomes the second high-profile, British-based jockey to return a positive in France in recent seasons, despite never having done so in Britain. The other was Kieren Fallon, who was twice caught out in France.

“The testing procedures in place in British racing are very robust,” insisted Robin Mounsey, a spokesman for the British Horseracing Authority. “Jockeys are tested randomly throughout the year at highly regular intervals, as well as at every day of major festivals.”

He added “Frankie Dettori has been tested for prohibited substances half a dozen times in 2012 on British racecourses.”

The BHA’s testing is carried out by Concateno South Ltd, which the authority regards as a “global leader” in the field.

A possible reason for Fallon and Dettori running into trouble while abroad is that the French authorities often make a point of testing riders from other countries when they go to ride in France.

It is now believed a France Galop hearing has been arranged to take place in Paris on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Dettori’s failed test was not for a performance-enhancing drug, his solicitor said yesterday. Christopher Stewart-Moore said: “We are not going to say which substance he has tested positive for as that would be in breach of their rules, but it’s not a performance-enhancing drug.”

Guardian