Expanding
Jurisdiction Over Horses in Training to be Discussed
DEL MAR, CA - North American racing
regulators are meeting in Del Mar, California this week to consider various
issues, including a proposal by RCI President Ed Martin to expand the
jurisdiction of racing commissions over horses in training to better identify
those being treated with medications for a condition or injury that might
require exclusion from competition or training.
Under the proposal, racing
commissions which currently license people working in racing would expand their
authority to include horses, effectively extending jurisdiction over equines in
training.
At the Grayson Jockey Club Welfare
and Safety of the Racehorse Summit earlier this month, a common theme was the
necessity to have a better way to identify those horses that may be at risk as
well as to ensure that the information is not only received but clearly
understood by the trainer and ownership interests.
The United States Congress and the
Food and Drug Administration have authorized almost every approved drug on the
market for direct or indirect use in a horse based upon the professional
judgment of a veterinarian. With the veterinary regulatory policy of twenty-one
states requiring the issuance of a written prescription upon client request in
lieu of direct veterinary administration, legitimate questions exist as to
whether drugs are being used beyond their intended purpose.
Unlike the Olympics and other sports
that permit athletes to compete with a Therapeutic Use Exemption when
medicated, horse racing has taken a tougher approach by saying if a horse needs
a medication that can affect performance, it should not race.
In a memo to the RCI Board of
Directors, Martin wrote, “The purpose of this effort is not to assess the
propriety of veterinary treatment or cite licensees for medication rule
violations, but to foster a dialogue between all interested parties - owners,
trainers, veterinarians, and regulators - about the health of the horse in
making a determination as to whether a horse is plagued with a condition that
might require placement on the Veterinarians
List to be excluded from competition.”
Just as motor vehicle regulations
require the registration (licensure) of automobiles and state safety
inspections, horse owners or the ownership entity would be required to obtain a
license for their horse and authorize the regulator access to the horse and the
ability to perform a veterinary treatment audit or out-of-competition testing
as appropriate.
In his concept memo, Martin wrote:
“Upon initial
registration issued by the appropriate breed registry, notification would be
required and appropriate information would be forwarded to the regulator or
designee.
Horse licensure
is best handled centrally and not on a state-by-state basis. The existing
National Racing Compact is the logical entity, but RCI could serve as a
regulatory designee. In any event the regulatory entity or designee would need
to work closely with the breed registries in developing a plan for
implementation.
Just as with an
automobile, changes in ownership would have to be officially filed with the
regulatory entity or its designee and appropriate documents generated.”
“This would obviously need a
tremendous amount of work and industry dialogue,”
Martin said, noting that this concept has not yet been addressed by any
national racing organization or any group advocating for legislative
intervention. “We have a collective moral responsibility to our horses to do
whatever we can to identify those who may be at risk. This is an idea worthy of
consideration.”
In other RCI News:
•
A two-day training session is currently underway at the Del Mar
Thoroughbred Club for new racing regulatory personnel. RCI periodically
conducts such training for new commissioners or senior regulatory personnel.
•
The Model Rules Committee will consider matters pertaining to the use of
multiple Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).
•
At the request of The Jockeys’
Guild, there will be a discussion about regulatory participation in the Jockey
Injury Database.
•
At the request of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective
Association there will be a discussion about reciprocity of Veterinarian’s and
Steward’s Lists between the United States and Canada.
•
There will be a demonstration by The Jockey Club of the Electronic
Treatment Records Database offered to regulators to assist in the submission of
pre-race veterinary records consistent with existing regulatory requirements.
