The Virginia Racing Commission at its monthly meeting on Wednesday adopted regulations that prohibit the use of anabolic and androgenic steroids in race horses in the state.

The regulations will begin at the end of April, prior to the Thoroughbred season at Colonial Downs, which begins on June 6.

 “We are very fortunate in Virginia to have horsemen’s organizations that are very supportive of our efforts to rid the industry of the use of steroids in our racing horses,” Commission Chairman Peter Burnett said. “It behooves all of us on the regulatory side of horse racing to do the job and do it right—first for the good of the horse and second to show the wagering public that the misuse and abuse of steroids and other drugs will not be tolerated in racing.”

Under the Virginia rules, the use of androgenic and anabolic steroids is prohibited in racing horses. Urinary thresholds as outlined in the model rules approved by the Association of Racing Commissioners International have been established for: boldenone, nandrolone, stanozolol, and testosterone. These thresholds take into account the naturally occurring levels of each substance and the potential for seasonal or cyclic variations of each.

Under the new rules, any violation will result in penalties. The first violation will result in disqualification and loss of purse, with the trainer potentially being fined up to $1,000. A second violation for the same horse within a 365-day period can include disqualification and loss of purse, a trainer fine of $2,500, and 90-day trainer suspension. A third offense within the same period includes all previous listed plus revocation of trainer’s license. 

Pennsylvania and Delaware already have adopted similar regulations on the use of steroids for the summer meets in the Mid-Atlantic region.