Animal Sports

HFL Sport Science – formerly the Horseracing Forensic Laboratory – built its World Class reputation upon the science and technology of doping control in horseracing, where we have over 45 years’ continuous experience. Add nearly 20 years involvement with greyhound racing and you will see that HFL has contributed significantly to animal welfare and the integrity of animal sports with research that has helped to develop many international regulations and drug testing policies.

Horseracing and equestrian sports

The sport which established and maintained our reputation for scientific excellence since 1963 is still a major part of our work – along with many other equestrian disciplines. Accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 and compliying with the ILAC G7 Criteria, we carry out legally compliant screening and confirmatory testing for a comprehensive range of prohibited substances as well as providing logistical support for sample collection. A regular programme of research projects ensures that operational testing keeps up with the latest cheating and welfare issues - publishing regularly within peer-reviewed journals.

Greyhound racing

Combining with the equine experience, we support the greyhound racing industry in legally compliant screening for a comprehensive range of prohibited substances that protect the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the greyhounds.

Animal feed testing

Some plants naturally contain prohibited substances – morphine found in the seeds of certain types of poppy, for example. Accidental contamination of feed with naturally occurring prohibited substances can result in positive doping control tests. We carry out quality control testing of feed for manufacturers, giving consumers confidence that the feed products they buy have been subjected to rigorous quality control for key banned substances.