Sales Companies Announce Reforms for 2-Year-Old Sales

Officials from Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, and Ocala Breeders' Sales jointly announced significant changes to policies regarding medication Jan. 21, including restriction of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and a ban on bronchodilators at all 2-year-old sales, and limited use of riding crops at under tack shows.

The revised conditions of sale for each sales company take effect March 2020 and if the initial reaction from at least one prominent consignor and 2-year-old buyer is the same for many, they will be welcome within the marketplace.

"These proactive measures demonstrate continued uniformity among the United States' three largest Thoroughbred auction houses and are the latest round of leadership reforms undertaken in recent years, following action in 2009 to ban the use of anabolic steroids in sales horses and last year's ban on the off-label use of bisphosphonates in horses younger than 4 years old," the three companies said in a release.

Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason, Fasig-Tipton President Boyd T. Browning Jr., and OBS President Tom Ventura said in a joint statement: "We continue to refine and adapt our policies with the overriding goal of protecting both the human and equine athletes while providing our customers the best opportunity for success at the racetrack."

The following changes in the medication rules will be in place for all 2-year-old sales at each of the three auction companies: No more than one NSAID may be administered, and stacking of NSAIDS is prohibited, while bronchodilators (Clenbuterol, Albuterol, and all other bronchodilators) are prohibited substances and may not be administered.

According to Tuesday's release, "No medication may be administered 24 hours prior to a horse's performance in an under tack show. The schedule for administration of permitted medication at Keeneland's April 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale will be governed by the rules of racing as set forth by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission."

All three sales companies now prohibit the excessive use of a riding crop on the track. Under the enhanced guidelines, a rider may remove his or her hands from the reins and strike a horse once behind the girth only prior to the starting pole at which the horse begins to breeze. At any time after the start of the breeze, a rider may only use the riding crop while both hands are holding the reins and may not strike the horse behind the girth. A rider is prohibited from striking the horse in any manner beyond the finish line. In situations where the safety of the horse or rider is in jeopardy, a riding crop may be used in front of the girth. Spurs are not allowed.

"Any infraction of this policy may result in a substantial fine to be paid by the consignor, and chronic offenders may be banned from riding on the sales grounds," the release read.

Without having the benefit of seeing the specifics, leading 2-year-old consignor Niall Brennan said he endorses any efforts at greater reforms and transparency within the juvenile sales marketplace, noting that the new policies appear to be an extension of medication and crop rules that have already been in place.

"I haven't read the exact statement about what the changes are, but I know there have been discussions with regard to extra safety and concerns about the whip, and it's all in line with what everybody supports for the industry," Brennan said. "I've long been a proponent of less use of the whip in 2-year-old sales. There have been rules in place and it's further enhancing those rules that the riders just carry whip as a control factor."

Likewise, the policies announced by the sale companies further strengthen rules that governed medications at juvenile sales, according to Brennan.

"For example, bronchodilators weren't banned but you weren't allowed to use them but a couple of weeks out (before a sale)," Brennan explained. "Now, instead of having a withdrawal, it's not allowed at all in their system and that can only be a positive thing from a perspective of perception.

"Two-year-old sales have always had medication policies and random drug testing in place at every breeze show, but people have forgotten about it. It's like 'out of sight, out of mind.' These things have been in place for a long time. This is not a new thing; this is just an enhancement of those protocols and greater transparency."

Bo Bromagen, a regular buyer at 2-year-old sales, said the medication policies announced by the sales companies could only be viewed in a positive light.

"Seeing these restrictions in place, it gives me more confidence in buying a horse," Bromagen said. "Going into a sale, it's one of the concerns you might have. I haven't had any issues that I'm aware of on any horses I've bought. I do testing for anabolic steroids on my horses. This is a step in the right direction."