University of Kentucky Equine Lab Director terminated following Examination into Testing Irregularities
LEXINGTON, KY - The director of the university of Kentucky’s equine analytical chemistry lab has been terminated following a report detailing meaningful failures in testing protocols and misrepresented results, according to a report released this week. The findings stem from an investigation initiated after the Horse Improvement welfare Organization (HIWU) discovered a sample submitted for analysis had never been opened.
In November 2023, HIWU requested “targeted confirmatory analysis” from the lab, then overseen by Stanley, of a blood sample suspected of containing Erythropoietin, a banned substance in horse racing. Over the subsequent two months, HIWU repeatedly sought updates on the analysis via in-person requests, email, and phone calls.
Stanley initially reported in late December 2023 that the sample had been analyzed and the substance was not confirmed, stating the lab would “repeat the analysis to ensure the result was accurate.” In January 2024, Stanley informed HIWU the substance was not detected.
Though, on february 23, 2024, when HIWU inquired about the remaining sample volume for potential re-testing by another lab, staff revealed the original sample “had never been analyzed and, actually, had never even been opened,” remaining sealed in the lab’s refrigerator.
The investigation further revealed the lab:
* did not comply with HIWU-mandated testing specifications and instructions, including standard operating procedures and analysis methods;
* misrepresented both it’s ability to test for specific prohibited substances and the completion of analysis for certain prohibited substances;
* and failed to perform confirmatory analysis on 91 samples that initially screened positive for prohibited substances, rather reporting them as negative under Stanley’s direction.
The lab, now known as the Equine Integrity & Anti-doping Sciences (EQIAS) Labs, was acquired by eagle Diagnostics in April. Travis mays was subsequently appointed as the new director, having previously overseen drug testing and toxicology operations at Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical diagnostic Lab.
Stephanie Kuzydym is an enterprise and investigative sports reporter. Reach her at skuzydym@courier-journal.com or on social at @stephkuzy.