The Stronach Group’s move to ban race-day medication at all future Santa Anita meetings in the United States has been met with international approval, with other racing jurisdictions in the US also urged to adopt global standards.
The International Federation of Horseracing Authorities has supported the mooted changes to drug rules by The Stronach Group, claiming an unwavering anti-doping policy in both training and during competition is of the upmost importance to safeguarding the welfare of racehorses and the fairness of racing.
The Stronach Group, which operates Santa Anita and Golden Gate Fields racecourses in California, announced on the back of 22 equine deaths in a 10-week period at Santa Anita that the most stringent medication rules in North America will come into effect when the course reopens for racing on March 29.
The announcement was met with approval from IFHA chairman Louis Romanet, who said in a statement: “I am in complete support of the actions and decisions made by The Stronach Group to bring medication policies in line with international standards, notably those outlined in article six of the IFHA’s International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering.
“Article six … has served as the basis for medication regulation, enforcement and testing for racing authorities such as the British Racing Authority, France Galop, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, the Japan Racing Association and Racing Australia among others.
“I am calling on other jurisdictions and race organisers in the United States to adopt stringent medication principals in accord with Article Six.
“This adoption, in addition to the implementation of the guidelines outlined in the recently introduced Horseracing Integrity Act 2010, will apply internationally accepted measures that protect horses, jockeys and all stakeholders of our great sport.”
– racing.com
