NEWS
Race-day medication hot topic at upcoming meetings
Posted: Tuesday, July 19, 2011 12:36 PM
by Frank Angst
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. will implement changes to its race-day medication policies starting with next year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships, and several other industry leaders will be busy discussing the topic in the next several weeks.
The Association of Racing Commissioners International called for the end of race-day medication within five years earlier this year. Last week, Breeders’ Cup Ltd. announced plans to ban race-day medication, specifically Salix (furosemide, commonly referred to as Lasix), in its juvenile races at the 2012 World Championships. Race-day medication will not be allowed in any of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships races in 2013, bringing the event in line with other international race days.
Other organizations will consider the issue in the days ahead.
On Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association will discuss the issue at its summer convention in Seattle. National HBPA Chief Executive Officer Remi Bellocq said members will review information that was presented in June at the International Summit on Race Day Medication at Belmont Park and will examine the new Breeders’ Cup policy.
On July 26 and 27, RCI will again tackle the issue during committee and board meetings in Saratoga Springs, New York. On July 26, the RCI’s Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee (DTSP) will hold a special meeting to consider expert opinions relevant to the association’s review of current regulatory policy on Salix.
RCI President Ed Martin said the committee meeting will follow the lead of the June international summit that was presented by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners (AAEP), and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC).
“Although the summit was helpful, there was limited opportunity for regulators to ask questions of the participants. It was the consensus of those present that a follow-up meeting was necessary,” Martin said. “The central question for regulators is the extent to which the removal of this medication on those days a horse actually races would pose any significant equine health risk.”
Some of the experts scheduled to discuss the issue include RCI Regulatory Veterinarian Committee Chairman Tom David, D.V.M., and AAEP Racing Committee Chairman Scott Palmer, D.V.M. Expert testimony also will be presented by N. Edward Robinson, D.V.M., from the Center for Integrative Toxicology at the Veterinary Medical Center at Michigan State University and journalist and author Bill Heller, who will outline the history of Salix in North American racing.
Both the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and the HBPA have been invited to participate.
“The committee is also interested in the views of horsemen’s organizations as to how a transition to a new furosemide policy should be implemented if it is determined that a change is warranted,” Martin said.
The topic also is listed on the agenda for the July 27 RCI board of directors meeting.
The RMTC will hold a special board meeting on August 4 in Cincinnati to discuss race-day medication. Topics on the agenda include penalty guidelines, proposals to phase out race-day medication, enhanced stable area security and surveillance, and guidelines for the administration of race-day medication. The RMTC represents 25 industry stakeholders and organizations in horse racing.
Frank Angst is senior writer of Thoroughbred Times
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Posted by: Helen, Manchester, NH on July 20, 2011 at 04:46 PM
I grew up in Louisville,taken to the races at Churchill from early childhood. The state of abuse and misuse of Thoroughbreds today has completely soured me on racing, probably forever. The use of medication to race horses when they are unfit, along with stupid and greedy breeding practices, has ruined the sport and the breed in America.
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Posted by: frankie dettori, manhattan, NY on July 20, 2011 at 08:44 AM
all race day meds should be banned the rest of the world does without them and there horses are fine race more times have bigger fields and far less breakdowns the chemical horses will be old news soon and the sport will be better for it
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