The Jockey Club on Friday released an updated version of the Reformed Racing
Medication Rules that features a new categorization of medications, more clearly
defined regulatory limits and dramatically remodeled penalties. The organization
is encouraging all Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions to implement them in order
to improve the integrity of the sport and enhance the safety of its athletes.
The Reformed Racing Medication Rules were introduced at The Jockey Club’s
Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing in August 2011 after
consultation and collaboration with representatives of the Racing Medication &
Testing Consortium, the Association of Racing Commissioners International and
the International Federations of Horseracing Authorities.
“We have been refining this document since then and the result is a
dramatically streamlined set of regulations that is on par with international
standards,” said James L. Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The
Jockey Club. “It creates a new enforcement scheme with far stiffer penalties and
deterrents for repeat offenders. We look forward to continuing our collaboration
with industry organizations and national, state and local regulatory agencies to
see these rules adopted.”
The new rules feature a cumulative penalty system featuring stronger
penalties for repeat violations. Fines, disqualifications and even lifetime
suspensions would be possible for those persistently operating outside
regulatory limits.
Among the main tenets of the Reformed Racing Medication Rules:
of medication
regulatory thresholds with increased recommended withdrawal times
a transitional process
results available to the public
stronger sanctions for repeat violations; up to lifetime suspensions
subject to surveillance; certain regulations and track ship-in policies may
be subject to adjustment
regulatory authorities for horses with symptoms of exercise induced
pulmonary hemorrhage
official “workouts” are conducted
therapeutic medication subject to regulatory control
are provided for guidance to racing associations
“As we have said many times before, The Jockey Club believes that the overuse
of medication endangers our human and equine athletes, threatens the integrity
of our sport and erodes consumer confidence in our game,” Gagliano said. “Horses
should compete only when they are free from the influence of medication, and
these reformed rules represent a giant step toward achieving that goal.”
“Safety and integrity are values that are paramount to the viability of
Thoroughbred racing,” said Craig Fravel, president and chief executive officer
of Breeders’ Cup Limited. “We must dedicate our efforts to adopting uniform
national rules that ensure a level playing field and that ensure those who do
not wish to abide by those rules can no longer compete against those who do.”
“The Reformed Racing Medication Rules provide a reasonable and common sense
approach to achieve uniformity and impose severe penalties on those who
repeatedly violate rules,” said Dan Metzger, the president of the Thoroughbred
Owners and Breeders Association. “Adoption of these revised rules will provide
our industry with necessary, responsible and positive reform.”