Motion Views Doping Indictments as Wake-Up Call

While the March 9 announcement that federal indictments leveled doping-related charges against trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro and 25 others sent shock waves throughout the industry, for some stakeholders it was viewed as a long overdue wake-up call for a sport at a crucial juncture in its history.

"If this doesn't wake us up as an industry, I don't know what will, I'm afraid," said Kentucky Derby-winning trainer Graham Motion. "It's our own fault. We let it happen. This shows we are incapable of policing our own sport and that's a sad situation."

Motion, who has been training since 1993 and sent out Animal Kingdom to victory in the 2011 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1), expressed hope that the indictments will bring the sport to a rock-bottom where opposition to the Horse Racing Integrity Act will evaporate and the sport will finally embrace national standards for medications and safety. That federal legislation would see the United States Anti-Doping Agency take the lead in oversight of racing's drug regulations and testing.

"A day like today is why I strongly believe we need the Horse Racing Integrity Act," Motion said. "With all that's been going on in the sport, there couldn't be worse timing but maybe we have to hit rock bottom before we can start building our sport up again. From the sounds of the indictments there have been some terrible things going on and the sooner we get to the bottom of it and root it out, the better off we will be. Horse racing can't improve until we sort these problems out. We have to take them more seriously."

With Servis, who trains $20 million Saudi Cup winner Maximum Security, and Navarro at the center of the indictments, West Point Thoroughbreds founder and president Terry Finley grew angrier as more details became public about the alleged actions of the two trainers with a combined 1,343 starters in 2019, 384 wins, and purse earnings of $17.8 million. Maximum Security was named champion 3-year-old male and Navarro saddled X Y Jet to victory in the 2019 Dubai Golden Shaheen Sponsored by Gulf News (G1).

"I am pissed," Finley said. "When you think about all of the times we raced against those guys and lost, and the purse money, stakes wins, and stallion deals it cost us and so many other people. Everybody who does things the right way and got beat by these guys has the absolute right to be pissed."

Finley also voiced his support for the Horse Racing Integrity Act, adding that better testing is also needed as well better vigilance and investigations at tracks across the country.

"This could be one of the greatest opportunities the industry has ever had. You can talk about a problem until the cows come home but you need solutions not Band-Aids. One is the Horse Racing Integrity Act. But I'm also glad the investigation is on-going. If more people are involved, lock them up," Finley said. "People say we have made strides in anti-doping, but we haven't. We need to acknowledge that we need a better system of testing. We now know that people talking about good clearance rates in drug tests is bogus."

As for his own business, which rates as the industry's largest partnership, Finley said the indictments will only make it tougher to find new owners and keep current owners involved in the game.

"This will make things harder in general and we've been interacting with our owners," Finley said. "I know we won't keep all of them, but I've asked them to stay with us and give us their continued support because I will do anything I can do to make progress on these issues."

In announcing the indictments, FBI Assistant Director William F. Sweeney Jr. said: "These men allegedly saw the $100 billion dollar global horse racing industry as their way to get rich at the expense of the animals that were doing all the hard work. Our investigation reveals the cruelty and inhumane treatment these horses suffered all to win a race. The FBI New York Joint Eurasian Organized Crime Task Force worked along with our law enforcement partners at the New York State Police, FDA, and DEA worked to stop this ring of criminals from abusing helpless animals simply so they could cheat the odds and rake in millions of dollars."

In response, The Jockey Club was one of many organizations to voice support for the investigation and the need for reform. 

"The Jockey Club understands that this investigation and the criminal investigation and related prosecutions will be painful and controversial, but the integrity of the sport and the health of all racehorses demanded action," the organization said in a statement. "From this point forward, it will be critical to the future of the sport that the reforms that are so badly needed are pressed forward by all segments of the industry—by everyone truly interested in clean competition and the safety and welfare of horse and rider.  

"Equine doping has long been a concern in racing circles, but one that has been difficult to investigate or prosecute effectively because the sport's regulatory oversight has been diffused, and often lax, across more than 30 separate state regulatory and enforcement agencies. Most people in the sport have suspected that some level of doping occurs, but evidence has been mostly third-hand and circumstantial, and real information was needed to define the problem and craft a path to a solution."

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity, which has worked to garner support for the Horseracing Integrity Act, said Monday's events point to the need for change.

"By uncovering this 'widespread, corrupt scheme,' the FBI and the Justice Department has exposed to the world what we have been saying has plagued our industry for too long—an accepted culture of doping in racing, and the complete inability of the current anti-doping system to stop it," said Shawn Smeallie, executive director of CHRI. "We need to pass national legislation now to replace our ineffective patchwork system with a much more uniform and independent anti-doping program. Our opponents have simply run out of arguments."

The Jockey Club statement also said that when it hired intelligence operation 5 Stones in 2016, that organization had raised concerns about doping in the sport.

"At the August 2016 meeting of The Jockey Club in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., The Jockey Club told members that it had engaged 5 Stones intelligence to analyze the then current state of investigative procedures and to make recommendations for improvement. 5 Stones is a leading private investigation company with offices around the world that played a major role in the World Anti-Doping Agency investigation that resulted in sanctions against Russia for doping in the Olympic Games," the statement said. "5 Stones' investigation produced indications of significant racehorse doping and active equine doping networks within the industry. This included information supporting findings that doping is often supported by enablers composed of trainers, veterinarians, pharmacists, stable staff, and in some instances, owners."

The Stronach Group, which operates Gulfstream Park West and the Palm Meadows Training Center, said it complied fully with search warrants that were executed by federal authorities Monday morning at those facilities.

"The Stronach Group is committed to achieving the highest level of horse care and safety standards in Thoroughbred racing. We are at the forefront of industry-leading reforms to protect the integrity of our sport and have instituted processes and protocols that have led to nationwide medication reform and increased transparency and accountability. There is no room in our sport for anyone who does not prioritize the health and well-being of horses and riders," it said in a statement.

In reaction to the indictments, New York Racing Association spokesperson Pat McKenna said: "There is absolutely no place in our sport for those who would administer illegal or banned substances to racehorses under their care. The New York Racing Association is committed to preserving and protecting the integrity of the sport and the safety of the equine and human athletes who compete at our tracks. We will continue to work closely with the New York State Gaming Commission and our industry partners across the country to advance meaningful reforms that protect the future of Thoroughbred horse racing." 

Animal welfare groups were also quick to respond.

Kitty Block, president and CEO of the Humane Society of the United States, said in a statement that the individuals charged in the indictments and the industry "must be held accountable."

"The reprehensible actions described in the racehorse doping scandal announced today are likely just the tip of the iceberg for this industry," she said. "In the last year, we've seen more than 40 horses die at a renowned track, a Hall of Fame trainer banned by multiple tracks able to simply hopscotch to another state, a Triple Crown winner's drug results covered up, and now 27 trainers, vets, and drug distributors indicted—including the trainer of a horse who just won the world's richest race with a (first-place) purse of $10 million dollars. These individuals, and the industry, must be held accountable. Congress needs to pass the Horseracing Integrity Act to improve the welfare of racehorses throughout the country, and bring the industry into the modern century."

PETA senior vice president Kathy Guillermo called for the individuals to face animal cruelty charges and to receive a lifetime ban from the sport if they are proven guilty.

"This sweeping federal investigation has exposed that illegal doping is still ubiquitous in horse racing, including at the highest levels. These crimes cheat bettors of billions of dollars and are egregiously cruel to horses, resulting in rampant injuries, pain, and deaths, such as those cited in the indictment," she said in a statement.

Elsewhere across the industry, statements included:

Congressmen Paul D. Tonko and Congressman Andy Barr, co-sponsors of the Horseracing Integrity Act: "Today's indictments underscore the pressing need for the development of uniform racing standards under one independent regulatory body. It is abundantly clear that the current system of 38 separate jurisdictions leaves a void where, when exploited, manipulation and cheating can occur.

"Tragically, in some cases the health of our equine athletes has been sacrificed to gain competitive advantage through the administration of dangerous and sometimes illicit drugs. As a result, according to the Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database, almost 10 horses die on the racetrack per week in the U.S.—nearly two and a half to five times greater than in Europe and Asia.

"The Horseracing Integrity Act would address the inconsistencies and confusion that the current system presents by establishing an authority to create and implement a national uniform medication program with input from stakeholders throughout the equine industry. 

"As we stated in our testimony recently before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, the future of this sport depends on fair competition and a level playing field across state lines, full disclosure of information to purchasers of breeding stock and to the wagering public, and the safety and welfare of horses and jockeys.

"We will continue to advocate for our legislation to bring safety and integrity to the sport and enhance its popularity and international competitiveness."

Alex Waldrop, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association: "The charges documented in today's federal indictment against 27 individuals in horse racing are abhorrent. There is no place in our sport for individuals who treat horses with disregard for their well-being or who undermine the integrity of our competition for personal gain. We support the effort to bring these charges to light and are hopeful that their swift adjudication will help (ensure) other horse racing participants and the public at large that our sport will not condone or tolerate the behavior alleged in the indictments." 

Jim Lawson, CEO of Woodbine Entertainment: "While today's news is very disappointing, it's a necessary development and further evidence that horse racing requires a higher level of coordinated regulation across all North American jurisdictions. It's also a strong statement that the use of performance enhancing drugs will not be tolerated. Hopefully this permeates through the industry and changes the culture at all levels of horse racing."

Dr. David Frisbie, president of the American Association of Equine Practitioners: "Today's indictments of five AAEP-member veterinarians are concerning and disappointing to our association and the countless equine veterinarians who provide medical care to racehorses in an ethical manner. The AAEP's Professional Conduct and Ethics Committee has been informed about the federal charges, and our internal review process will soon begin to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of the events. The AAEP's authority, however, is limited only to membership status in the association. It is the ethical obligation of AAEP members and all veterinarians to adhere to the highest standards in order to protect the racehorse and the integrity of the sport."

National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association: "The news today of the indictment returned against racehorse trainers, veterinarians and others involved is extremely troubling. The National HBPA focus has always been, and remains, the health and safety of the horse, the jockey and of all individuals coming into contact with the horse, and we strongly oppose the behavior alleged in this indictment. We firmly believe in striving for the highest standards of horsemanship, and our industry strongly believes that anyone participating in the types of activities alleged in this indictment should be severely punished. Horsemen and horsewomen in this industry truly love their horses and want to ensure each horse is given the highest-quality care in accordance with the rules of racing. We recognize an indictment is not the equivalent to guilt.  At the same time, however, it's essential to the administration of justice and to the health of our industry for anyone with knowledge of possible illegal activity to cooperate with law-enforcement authorities.The National HBPA understands it is imperative that our sport is conducted fairly in hopes of upholding the integrity of racing. More importantly, however, we must show care, concern, and respect to our competing racehorses and accept that there is no room in our industry for anyone who does not prioritize the health and safety of horses and riders."

Thoroughbred Safety Coalition: "There is no place in our sport for the activities described in the indictments filed by the Southern District of New York U.S. Attorney's Office. Safety and integrity will always come first for the members of the Coalition, which is why restricting medication and improving testing is one of the main pillars in our reform platform.

"The administration of illegal substances to racehorses cannot be tolerated by the Thoroughbred racing community. While we will not speculate and appreciate that everyone is entitled to a fair trial, we vigorously support a strong and unambiguous punishment for any wrongdoing. Additionally, we must continue to take the appropriate steps to ensure that racing fans and participants can trust in the integrity of our competition. Our equine athletes and fans deserve better."

Water Hay Oats Alliance: "WHOA and its 1,900 industry members experienced a shift in direction in its battle to rein in drugs, both legal and illegal, in horse racing for the well-being of the animal.

"This morning the Justice Department's Southern District of New York, acting on a year-long Federal Bureau of Investigation probe into the abuse of drugs by trainers Jason Servis and Jorge Navarro, indicted 27 individuals involved in a widespread scheme to break Federal laws.

"For years those horsemen, regulators and racetrack owners who asked WHOA where the proof existed in its claims of rampant cheating have now had their nay-saying voices silenced.

"While many outside of horse racing will decry today's news as another black mark against the sport, WHOA members look upon this revelation as a step in the right direction to root out those in the sport who would take advantage of horses for their own selfish gain, as well as cheating their fellow trainers, owners and the wagering public.

"The biggest beneficiary of the FBI investigation is undoubtedly the proposed Federal legislation, The Horseracing Integrity Act, currently making its way through Congress and strongly backed by WHOA," said Staci Hancock of WHOA. "Nothing could more dramatically highlight what is wrong with drugs in racing and nothing but the legislation can correct these deficiencies."

The Water Hay Oats Alliance commends The Jockey Club and its leader Stuart Janney for the role they played in jump-starting the initiative that resulted in today's indictments.

New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association: "Earlier today, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York announced a widespread indictment against 27 individuals, including two prominent trainers and several veterinarians. The allegations are disturbing to read and surely an affront to the sport we all love.

"NYTHA has no tolerance for anything that endangers the welfare of our horses. To that end, one element described today is particularly troubling—the casual reference to the slaughter of horses in inhumane way.

"NYTHA works hard in conjunction with the New York State Gaming Commission and NYRA to ensure the integrity of our races and the health of our horses. We actively promote the highest possible performance standards, but we should be honest with each other about the sanctity of competitive sport. We have always been and will always be in a battle to keep competition fair—the vigor for this fight must never wane!

"While today's charges are painful to read, the system ultimately worked how we would want—a thorough investigation appears to have uncovered wrongdoing. Hopefully, horseracing will be the stronger for it.

"Having said all of this, we still live in the United State of America where the accused have every right to their day in court. We will watch those proceedings closely in the hope that a public airing of evidence and testimony will shine a revealing light on the allegations and practices."