Racing puts £1m into gene doping fight

THE British Horseracing Authority is pumping £1million into pioneering research into gene doping after experts warned it could present the ‘dawn of a new era’.

Sportsmail understands that gene manipulation methods for performance enhancement in racehorses could range from cloning to the delivery of an EPO gene, raising serious integrity and welfare concerns. A leading scientist said gene doping had been discussed in the racing industry and was at the stage where ‘if people wanted to use it and had enough money then they could definitely do it’. The BHA’s pledge to fund the research, which will take place at the LGC laboratory in Newmarket, was made in recent months but the study’s scope has not been finalised. It is hoped the £1m, which covers a five-year programme, will help to improve detection of gene doping. Testing on ‘study horses’ is expected to be part of the research, which is due to begin later this year. Dr James Scarth (right), LGC’s head of animal sports testing, told the Partnership for Clean Competition conference in London: ‘Something we are just getting into, in the same way as human sports, is gene doping. We’ve been talking about this for a long time, I know the industry has. But we are now seeing the dawning of a new era. I’m pretty sure if people wanted to use it and had enough money then they could definitely do it.’ Sources have since told

Sportsmail the BHA’s decision to fund this area came after racing federations across the world identified gene doping as a future threat and the BHA wants to be ahead of the curve. David Sykes, the BHA’s director of equine health and welfare, already sits on the Gene Doping Control Subcommittee of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. Gene doping, which could make horses faster or stronger, able to train harder or recover quicker from races, is different from gene therapy, where genes are manipulated or inserted to help cure injury or disease. A recent study in Russia used ‘direct gene therapy’ on two badly injured horses, both of which experienced ‘complete recovery of functions and full restoration of the severely damaged suspensory ligament and superficial digital flexor tendon’. However, the academics behind that at study, published in the e Frontiers in Veterinary Science journal, acknowledged that a considerable amount of work, including wider clinical trials, are needed before judgments can be made. Discussing that research, Dr Scarth said: ‘There were these animals that had really severe ligament and tendon injuries and were given vascular endothelial growth factor and fibroblast growth factor and they completely hea healed. We are acutely aw aware of what impact t this could have.’ S Sources said there are ‘ethical concerns’ in the industry about gene editing and th there are worries abo about its use outside of a labo laboratory or veterinary setting. It is expected the BHAfunded research will seek to determine appropriate and inappropriate uses of gene manipulation.

DAN SKELTON wrote his name into racing folklore yesterday with a glittering six-timer which saw him become only the second National Hunt trainer to record 200 winners in a season. The Warwickshire handler began the day requiring six for the landmark, but a 17-1 four-timer at Market Rasen, all ridden by brother Harry Skelton, and a Plumpton double ensured the feat was reached before the season ends on Saturday. Skelton is the only trainer other than the legendary Martin Pipe to reach the milestone.