HIWU Suspends Ohio Lab Accreditation for Six Months

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit announced Feb. 10 it has suspended the probationary Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation status of the Analytical Toxicology Laboratory at the Ohio Department of Agriculture for a minimum of six months, starting Feb. 9. Samples collected in Ohio are being sent to the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California-Davis for analysis. HIWU's independent Laboratory Expert Group, which evaluates the performance of program laboratories, recommended the suspension of the Ohio lab's probationary accreditation due to nonconformities associated with compliance. HIWU, in consultation with its Laboratory Expert Group, will review the Ohio Lab's response to this suspension and associated corrective actions. Probationary accreditation status will not be restored unless and until the laboratory is in full compliance with accreditation standards. BloodHorse attempted to contact supervisors with Ohio's Analytical Toxicology Lab but did not receive a reply as of mid-Tuesday afternoon. The Ohio Department of Agriculture website notes the lab has been the official drug testing laboratory for the Ohio State Racing Commission for more than 40 years. Equine samples are typically received from Ohio's seven commercial racetracks as well as statewide county fairs that host racing and pari-mutuel wagering. HIWU's review of the Ohio lab is ongoing, and any impact on resolved or pending Anti-Doping and Medication Control program cases will be publicly disclosed in accordance with program rules. The Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation program was implemented Jan. 1, 2025, and is the national laboratory accreditation program established by HISA's ADMC program. Overseen by HIWU, it builds on the foundations of the ISO 17025 and Racing Medication & Testing Consortium models and requires a robust external quality assessment scheme to ensure that program laboratories maintain accreditation standards.