Thoroughbred Safety Committee Calls for Clenbuterol Ban

The Thoroughbred Safety Committee has announced three new recommendations to the industry to further improve the health, welfare, and safety of its equine athletes.

The recommendations call for increased self-reporting statistics from the Equine Injury Database, a mandatory stand-down period for horses in the care of trainers determined to be in possession of or intending to administer illegal substances to racehorses, and a ban on the presence of clenbuterol in Thoroughbred racehorses and Thoroughbreds consigned for public auction.

The recommendations resulted from a March 17 teleconference meeting of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee, and can be viewed on The Jockey Club website. The call was conducted shortly after a federal indictment was released that alleges 27 individuals in the Thoroughbred and Standardbred racing industries participated in a widespread scheme to covertly produce, distribute, and administer various adulterated and misbranded performance-enhancing drugs to racehorses.

"As with most of the world, our industry is facing challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic, but it is also facing challenges from within," said Craig Fravel, chairman of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee and chief executive officer of racing operations for The Stronach Group. "At this critical time, it is more important than ever that we ensure our industry is taking the best care of its horses and holding stakeholders accountable for their actions."

"Two items The Jockey Club has advocated for over the years are increased transparency into the health and safety of horses and that horses should compete only when free from medication," said James Gagliano, president and chief operating officer of The Jockey Club. "Implementing these recommendations will show that our industry is serious about the future of our sport and the health and welfare of our equine athletes. 

"We commend Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company, and Ocala Breeders' Sales Company for recently announcing restrictions on the use of several medications at sales. We encourage racing regulatory authorities to follow this example and eliminate the use of clenbuterol in racing."

Gagliano also noted that imposing mandatory stand-down periods for horses determined to be the subjects of illegal substances will assist racetracks and regulatory authorities with decisions regarding horses that are potentially the unwilling subject of illegal activity.

"The recent indictments of 27 individuals with regard to illegal performance-enhancing drugs demonstrate the need to have rules that protect the health and safety of Thoroughbreds from the uncertain and potentially dangerous effects of these substances," he said.

The Thoroughbred Safety Committee was created in May 2008 to review every facet of equine health and to recommend actions the industry can take to improve the health and safety of Thoroughbreds. The committee convenes to review myriad safety issues with a cross section of industry representatives, including jockeys, trainers, veterinarians, chemists, pedigree experts, handicappers, owners, breeders, blacksmiths, racing commissioners, racetrack executives, and geneticists.

Committee members are Fravel (chairman), Dr. Rick Arthur, James (Jimmy) Bell, Dr. Larry Bramlage, Dell Hancock, Jim Lawson, Christopher McCarron, Dr. Hiram Polk Jr., Tom Robbins, Jaime Roth, and D. G. Van Clief Jr. Each is a member of The Jockey Club.