In a notice to the industry sent out this afternoon, the Ontario Racing Commission has announced that claims can be ruled invalid if improper medications or drugs are found
.
In its release, the ORC states that, "through its regulatory actions, the Ontario Racing Commission (ORC) is fulfilling its mandate and sending a strong message to all involved in racing – that the illegal use of a therapeutic or non-therapeutic drug will not be tolerated."
At its meeting on July 9, 2009, the board of the ORC approved changes to the Standardbred and Thoroughbred Rules of Racing, which reinforce the commitment.
The release also states that the new rules will provide direction on what will happen if a claimed horse is found to have unacceptable levels of medications or drugs during an approved post race test.
With the changes, judges/stewards now have the authority, at the option of the claimant, to rule a claim invalid.
As of June 1 2009, the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) began testing for veterinary approved anabolic steroids. The ORC subsequently implemented a post-race user pay system which allows for trainers and owners to have a claimed horse post-race-tested at their own expense for steroids. This same procedure has allowed trainers and owners to have a claimed horse post race tested for EPO or any of its synthetic derivatives.
The following directives have been issued and should be referenced:
Standardbred Directive Number 4 – 2009
Thoroughbred Directive Number 3 – 2009
Click here to view a copy of the notice.
(With files from the ORC)
what i dont get is when we
what i dont get is when we claim a horse we beleave it is steroid free and epo free,because it is the ORC's job to make sure that the last trainer was following the rules.An owner has big enough problems when they claim a horse they have to move it up for 3 weeks in class more then likely not making any money,now they have to worry about paying for test that should be paid by the ORC.
owners have problems making there bills every month let alone spending $250 or $500 before they even get there horse home,so my question is why does the new owner have to pay to make sure somebody isnt following the rules. i thought we where protected by the ORC
Mr. Swinhoe don't waste your
Mr. Swinhoe don't waste your money. The sport has really cleaned up it's act or the testing is inadequate to find these types of drugs. Same old story, let the buyer beware, you have a 99-1 shot to finding drugs in a horses system with the testing the way it is.
yes this good but if in the
yes this good but if in the event of a positive test does the previous owner or trainer pick up the tab for the test then ...they should
I think it is a great thing
I think it is a great thing that when I claim a horse I have the option of having a post race test. I would however like to knoe what the cost of such a test would be.