by Myra Lewyn

The National Steeplechase Association has adopted the Racing and Medication Testing Consortium’s model rule for anabolic steroids.

Unanimously approved by the association’s 15-member board of directors meeting in March in Camden, South Carolina, the rule becomes effective on September 1.

The rule bans of the use of all androgenic and anabolic steroids except for the four for therapeutic use—stanozolol (Winstrol), boldenone (Equipoise), nandrolone (Durabolin), and testosterone—within designated limits. 

The rule also prohibits multiple use of the four steroids, known as “stacking,” in concentrations greater than the individual threshold levels.

Director of Racing Bill Gallo said the association’s stewards’ advisory committee would soon meet to decide when testing would begin after the fall racing calendar gets under way. The association’s fall calendar begins with a meeting on September 27 at Shawan Downs in Maryland.

Penalties for rule violations have not yet been established.

Gallo said the association has an “internal mechanism” in place to pay for the tests, which would be conducted through Philadelphia-based laboratory Dalare Associates.

The association’s board more or less was reacting to general discussions in Thoroughbred racing regarding steroid use when it voted to adopt the rule, Gallo said.

“We constantly remind people that we are part of the Thoroughbred racing industry. Therefore, our board felt we should go along with the current recommendations.”

The association conducts steeplechasing in several racing jurisdictions that have steroid rules in place, including Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.

“Whatever jurisdiction we race in, we race under the rules and regulations of that jurisdiction,” Gallo said.

Myra Lewyn is a Thoroughbred Times daily news editor