Page 6 - April 2007 The Game

6 The Game, April 2007 Canada’s Thoroughbred Racing Newspaper
ORC: Tough New Initiatives on Illegal Medications
By Eleanor LeBlanc
On Wednesday, March 14, John Blakney, Executive Director of the Ontario Racing Commission, invited members of the media and representatives of the Equine Medication Control Advisory Group to discuss the problem of substance abuse in the horse racing industry. After a brief power- point presentation, Mr. Blakney opened the floor to questions from the assembled group.
Mr. Blakney’s purpose in arranging this meeting was to bring together people who could assist him in promoting the ORC’s message, namely that it’s unethical and illegal to give horses non-therapeutic drugs, and that all sectors of the racing industry should rally around the premise that what’s good for the horse is good for horse racing. In fact, compliance with medication regulation controls is vital to the industry.
The Equine Medication Control and Drug Task Force was officially launched by Mr. Blakney in January 2007, in response to concerns from the horse racing community that, though the majority of owners, trainers and veterinarians are honest and care passionately about their horses, there are still a few operators who are motivated by greed and will try to circumvent the rules any way they can. Unfortunately, in the past, the prac- tice of non-therapeutic drug use has been largely tolerated, the thinking being that nothing could be done to stop it, and there
was a complacency within the industry which ultimately forced many to compromise their integrity in order to com- pete. Mr. Blakney and his colleagues believe it’s time to break the cycle of distributors, substances and users, and they are asking the horse racing community for its full involvement to improve the way horse racing is perceived in Ontario. The reputation of horse racing and the financial stability of the industry is suffering and there are concerns that the practice of administering non-therapeutic drugs is wide- spread. The ORC is rock-solid certain that changes have to be made in order to maintain the confidence of racing participants and the wagering public.
What does Medication Control mean? It means only using medications or products that have a therapeutic and beneficial value to the horse; that it’s unethical to administer a non-therapeutic drug to a horse, especially if it masks an underlying health problem; that all medications or products are properly labeled and have been obtained through a licensed distributor and/or prescribed by a licensed veterinarian. Medication controls are essential because, while therapeutic medications are important to maintaining the health and well-being of the horse, the use of non-therapeutic substances are not in the best interest of the animal and can lead to tragic consequences. Illegal substances and drugs
are classified into categories and the list is long, but includes performance enhancing drugs, anabolic steroids, narcotic analgesics, caffeine, and substances such as EPO which increase red blood cells and oxygen intake. Recently, the designer drug Aminorex, which acts as a stimulant, has figured prominently in the news after several Ontario harness horses tested positive for it. The horses in question are under suspension. They will remain so until they produce a negative test and will continue to be moni- tored by racing officials. Trainers associated with the horses are under investigation by the ORC and face fines and suspensions if found guilty of administering the banned substance to their animals.
The mandate of the Task Force is a lofty one: to reduce and ultimately eliminate distributors and customers who are involved in the manufacturing, sale and purchase of illegal equine medications and drugs; to identify and initiate change of practice in medication control and drug use; to provide new products for advancing and improving testing and controls; and to ensure appropriate deterrents are in place. This last initiative will include everything from identifying persons directly involved with either the manufacture, sale or purchase of illegal equine medications, to conducting search warrants on the premises of suspected persons, to removing property and funds
derived from the proceeds of criminal behaviour, to ultimately handing down fines and/or suspensions of privileges.
Culpability is a grey area and when asked who should be ultimately responsible for what medications go into a horse, Mr. Blakney says “Especially what really comes out right now in terms of the past year and perhaps more so recently is the whole issue of responsibility. It’s been said by many to me that we really need to look at owner responsibility, and we’re looking at options
of suspending horses, because if you suspend the horse, you cut off the owner’s ability to earn with that particular horse. My view is that I’m not quite sold on that because, until you really get to the individual, you don’t affect change”.
Mr. Blakney addressed the concern of naming names before all the facts were in. He says “It’s very clear to me that the situation that has arisen over the last few weeks or so has really sent a message to me that we have a clear problem here, not necessarily in delineation of responsibility between track and regulator, but really the question of communication of something as serious as a positive drug violation. We’ve acted on the fact that we have a responsibili- ty to inform track management. We inform the trainer first before anyone, then the track management is informed, and then we follow through with the investigation process”.
When asked about whether operators would still be allowed to practice and train while an appeal is going on, Mr. Blakney says “Traditionally, the ‘stays’ were somewhat automatic. The ‘stay’ is the discretionary tool of the Director of Racing and is appealable by the person getting the ‘stay’. On class ones, twos and threes and repeats on fours and fives, my position has been for the last few months that you have to put a pretty good case that the evidence is there before you’d ever get a ‘stay’. We’re trying to position ourselves in sending the message that class ones, twos and threes won’t be taken lightly.”
This is the first time in the history of horse racing in this country that a major governing body has so publicly identified such a serious problem, and instead of dealing with it in-house, Blakney is appealing to members of the media and the community for solutions and feedback. As head of the ORC, John Blakney has drawn a line in the sand from which he can’t retreat.
• Keeneland September Sale entries close May 1
• C.T.H.S Select nominations close March 1
• C.T.H.S Select and Open Sale final entries close May 31
Please call NOW to discuss your fall sales plans
Windfields Sales Agency
905-725-1193
Quick Wraps
By
Quick Wraps
are perfect for paddock, standing or shipping bandages!
Same Back on Track Therapeutic Ceramic Pain Relief Treatment
- Made Simple!
The detachable neoprene outer shell has velcro straps which surround a comforting pillow wrap. The Quick Wraps offer firm support plus Back on Track’s treatment and ease of use.
Available in 12”, 14” & 16” heights to benefit ankles, tendons, suspensories, splints,
check ligaments, jack cords & curbs
For more information or to find a dealer near you call
MacLeod Equine at 1-888-395-0006
P. O. BOX 67
905/725-1195
WEBSITE: www.windfields.com
CANADA L1 H 7K8
CANADA: Standing at Windfields Farm, Oshawa, Ontario
Ascot Knight • Best of The Bests (IRE) • Cat’s At Home • Mobil Tethra • Whiskey Wisdom
KENTUCKY: Standing at Brookdale Farm, Versailles, Kentucky Silver Deputy
FLORIDA: Standing at Vinery Stud, Summerfield, Florida
D’wildcat
Your inspection of the Windfields stallions is invited – please call to arrange a visit. All Windfields Ontario stallions are eligible to the Ontario Sire Stakes and T.I.P.
OSHAWA, ONTARIO FAX 905/579-7552
NEW
YEARLING SALES
reminder