Taken from the Racing Post. A great move by the BHA, sends out a strong signal worldwide. Hopefully Ireland will follow suit even though we do not get that many foreign runners.
TAKEOVER TARGET could be among overseas horses barred from visiting Britain after the BHA yesterday beefed up its policy concerning performance-enhancing drugs.
From 1 January 2009, under a new BHA directive overseas trainers will have to declare that their horses have not been trained on “non-therapeutic substances”, or face a ban from running in UK races.
The move is bound to be seen as a reaction to trainer Mark Johnston's outspoken criticism of foreign-trained horses being encouraged to visit Britain, despite their having been administered banned substances like steroids in the past.
Johnston had a spat in June with Australian trainers Peter Moody and Joe Janiak. The latter trains Ascot favourite Takeover Target, who failed a drug test in Hong Kong later in 2006 after winning the King's Stand Stakes. The eight-year-old is currently recovering from a torn suspensory ligament suffered at Ascot last month, but Janiak has not ruled out paying a fourth visit to the royal meeting next June.
Under the new order, however, Janiak would have to explain the circumstances surrounding Takeover Target's positive test in Hong Kong. The horse was not allowed to run in the Hong Kong Sprint after testing positive for a steroid that can build muscle.
Although Janiak says the steroid was recommended by vets for horses who travel, there is a grey area over whether this would be construed as a “therapeutic use”.
Tim Morris, BHA Director of Equine Science and Welfare, explained: “If Takeover Target were to come to Britain next year, the trainer would be asked to sign the declaration and we want to understand what has been done in the past, and if we hadsome questions we would follow it up.
“I think it would be very clear that if there was routine use , without veterinary prescription – as was reported hearsay – common sense would say that doesn't fall in the category of exceptional veterinary prescription.” [/SIZE]
In Britain, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is outlawed. This includes any use of anabolic agents to increase muscle mass, such as steroid drugs, and the use of drugs for a 'partitioning' effect to increase muscle and reduce fat, such as seen in the misuse of bronchodilator drugs. However, steroids are permitted for veterinary use on out-of-training horses if advised by a vet.
This approach to drug use in training is harmonised across Europe and is similar to many, but not all, racing nations. A major exception is the USA, although they are moving towards a more stringent steroids policy, albeit one that may well be some way removed from the European norm.
Morris added: “We need to make it absolutely clear that racing in Britain is both fair and safe. There needs to be a level playing field for all trainers and owners, and at the same time the welfare of the horse needs to be protected.
“Horses should only ever get the medication they need for treatment, and be drug-free on racedays.
“We will require a declaration from trainers of horses from outside Europe that they do not train, and have not ever trained, on non-therapeutic substances, and in particular on anabolic and partitioning agents.
All such horses are already tested before racing, and we may also consider home country testing in cooperation with other racing authorities. Other checks will be made to ensure we are aware of all imported and visiting horses.
“We wholeheartedly support international competition and welcome the move in the US towards a harmonised model rule on the use of anabolic agents. Such converging approaches can only benefit racing.”
Johnston commented: “Allwe are looking for is a level playing field and this is a big step in the right direction.”
TAKEOVER TARGET could be among overseas horses barred from visiting Britain after the BHA yesterday beefed up its policy concerning performance-enhancing drugs.
From 1 January 2009, under a new BHA directive overseas trainers will have to declare that their horses have not been trained on “non-therapeutic substances”, or face a ban from running in UK races.
The move is bound to be seen as a reaction to trainer Mark Johnston's outspoken criticism of foreign-trained horses being encouraged to visit Britain, despite their having been administered banned substances like steroids in the past.
Johnston had a spat in June with Australian trainers Peter Moody and Joe Janiak. The latter trains Ascot favourite Takeover Target, who failed a drug test in Hong Kong later in 2006 after winning the King's Stand Stakes. The eight-year-old is currently recovering from a torn suspensory ligament suffered at Ascot last month, but Janiak has not ruled out paying a fourth visit to the royal meeting next June.
Under the new order, however, Janiak would have to explain the circumstances surrounding Takeover Target's positive test in Hong Kong. The horse was not allowed to run in the Hong Kong Sprint after testing positive for a steroid that can build muscle.
Although Janiak says the steroid was recommended by vets for horses who travel, there is a grey area over whether this would be construed as a “therapeutic use”.
Tim Morris, BHA Director of Equine Science and Welfare, explained: “If Takeover Target were to come to Britain next year, the trainer would be asked to sign the declaration and we want to understand what has been done in the past, and if we hadsome questions we would follow it up.
“I think it would be very clear that if there was routine use , without veterinary prescription – as was reported hearsay – common sense would say that doesn't fall in the category of exceptional veterinary prescription.” [/SIZE]
In Britain, the use of performance-enhancing drugs is outlawed. This includes any use of anabolic agents to increase muscle mass, such as steroid drugs, and the use of drugs for a 'partitioning' effect to increase muscle and reduce fat, such as seen in the misuse of bronchodilator drugs. However, steroids are permitted for veterinary use on out-of-training horses if advised by a vet.
This approach to drug use in training is harmonised across Europe and is similar to many, but not all, racing nations. A major exception is the USA, although they are moving towards a more stringent steroids policy, albeit one that may well be some way removed from the European norm.
Morris added: “We need to make it absolutely clear that racing in Britain is both fair and safe. There needs to be a level playing field for all trainers and owners, and at the same time the welfare of the horse needs to be protected.
“Horses should only ever get the medication they need for treatment, and be drug-free on racedays.
“We will require a declaration from trainers of horses from outside Europe that they do not train, and have not ever trained, on non-therapeutic substances, and in particular on anabolic and partitioning agents.
All such horses are already tested before racing, and we may also consider home country testing in cooperation with other racing authorities. Other checks will be made to ensure we are aware of all imported and visiting horses.
“We wholeheartedly support international competition and welcome the move in the US towards a harmonised model rule on the use of anabolic agents. Such converging approaches can only benefit racing.”
Johnston commented: “Allwe are looking for is a level playing field and this is a big step in the right direction.”
