NEWS
British veterinarian claims knowledge of EPO use in racing
Posted: Tuesday, December 11, 2001
As allegations of the use of the drug Erythropoietin (EPO) in racing continued to make waves across the Atlantic Ocean, a veterinarian based in England has come forward with evidence of the drug's price on the black market and the number of shots needed to gain the best result.
Colin Duncan not only revealed those details but that he has seen it "pass hands" on racetracks, Racing Post reports. Duncan said he could not name any trainers that may have used the substance, but said he expressed his concern over EPO use in a letter to the Jockey Club a year ago.
Duncan told the Jockey Club that EPO can be bought on the black market for about $215-290 (150-200 British pounds) per vial and that three vials need to be used to obtain the best result.
"I don't think it is a widespread practice because the cost is prohibitive, but as it cannot be detected, I am sure it is used very selectively," Duncan said. "If you are having a gamble on a well-handicapped horse, to doubly insure it, you stick EPO in and get another five or six lengths advantage."
Duncan also said there is no need for a veterinarian to have EPO, which is commonly used in kidney-failure patients who become anemic. EPO stimulates production of red blood cells and thus boosts the supply of oxygen to muscles.
Peter Webbon, chief veterinary adviser to the Jockey Club, said that if EPO is being used "illegitimately or illegally, it's more likely to come from abroad." Duncan suggested that EPO is being obtained either under-the-counter or from out-of-date stock in hospital stores.
Talk of the drug's use reached a high pitch over the weekend when trainer Charlie Mann alleged that horses are running on EPO every day in Britain. The Jockey Club has no adequate testing procedure for the substance.
"As I said to Peter Webbon, I think people are jumping to the wrong conclusion and I don't think EPO is being widely used," Duncan said. "But I think it could be used to provide extra insurance if you are trying to pull off a gamble."
