Successful DNA typing of a drug positive urine sample from a race horse

The detection of performance altering substances in horse urine is a routine requirement by racing authorities and other sporting regulatory bodies. In the case of a positive result the origin of the urine sample may be questioned and therefore it is necessary to confirm that the urine sample came from the horse in question. Comparison of a DNA profile from the urine to a sample collected from the horse in question may verify the origin of the urine. The isolation of DNA from horse urine has been problematic leading to the poor recovery of DNA and subsequent profiling results. We report on a successful DNA typing from horse urine allowing confirmation that a urine sample and a control reference hair sample came from the same horse.