Insulin Doping of Horses Detected by New Test

One of the latest schemes to illicitly enhance racehorse performance involves the administration of insulin to build endurance and boost muscle development. Because there is no equine-approved insulin product available, products used for humans and other animals have been used. The practice is illegal, but has been somewhat difficult to detect.

A recent trial carried out by the Hong Kong Jockey Club showed that nano liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was effective in detecting human insulin in horse urine up to four hours after the substance was administered to two horses.