Apprentice Joshua Bryan hit with six-month ban after avoiding drug test

Apprentice Joshua Bryan was handed a six-month ban on Thursday after being found to have deliberately avoided a routine drugs test at Lingfield last year.

The disciplinary panel gathered to consider whether Bryan, who made a swift departure before being required to provide a urine sample at the Surrey track on November 20, had misled or endeavoured to mislead a BHA investigating officer.

The clerk of the scales on the day explained he had received notification from another rider that Bryan had left the course but had not seen the rider himself.

He added he had spoken on the telephone to Bryan, who explained that he had left the course in a hurry as his grandmother was unwell and had been admitted to hospital.

By contrast, Bryan claimed in an interview with a BHA investigating officer on November 26 that his reason for leaving Lingfield prior to the test was actually his concern about making the weight for his first ride.

The panel concluded that Bryan left the weighing room at Lingfield because he became aware drug testers were present and therefore he was at risk of being selected for sampling.

Bryan admitted to breaching rule (A) 31.2 related to misleading officials twice; when the incident occurred on November 20 and six days later when subsequently interviewed. His six-month ban is due to commence with immediate effect.

The apprentice was on course for his best season having ridden 27 winners from 164 rides in Britain this year, and his most recent victory came when partnering the Alex Hales-trained Dandilion at Lingfield on Monday.

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