Looking at the first public disclosure by racing's new national regulator of anti-doping efforts and medication rules serves as an instant reminder that some things have changed under the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit when compared with state oversight.
The HIWU's first public disclosure posted June 13 alleges that on June 2 trainer Jeffrey Poole possessed the banned substance Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). A provisional suspension was imposed pending final resolution.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of thyroxine (levothyroxine sodium), a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism.
While the specifics of this case are not fully known, the American Association of Equine Practitioners and Racing Medication and Testing Consortium in 2020 released a joint paper saying that the prescribing and dispensing of levothyroxine on a herd health basis to horses with normal thyroid function is not medically justifiable. In recent years, regulators have been to limit the use of the drug in part due to overuse.
BloodHorse did not have contact information available for Poole to respond to the allegation.
The public disclosure did not list where Poole allegedly possessed Levothyroxine. He regularly races horses at Gulfstream Park, where he had two horses start June 11.
"The ADMC Program public disclosure rules require the reporting of specific information regarding pending cases, all of which is currently on the website," a HIWU spokesperson said when asked about the location of the alleged violation, noting that location "is not included among the required information to be reported."
The HIWU public disclosure alleges that Poole violated rule 3214, section a, which reads, "Other Anti-Doping Rule Violations Involving Banned Substances or Banned Methods, The following acts and omissions constitute Anti-Doping Rule Violations by the Covered Person(s) in question: (a) possession of a banned substance or a banned method, unless there is compelling justification for such possession."
The HIWU was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's anti-doping and medication control program. The HIWU relaunched May 22, moving into oversight that previously was carried out from state to state.
Some differences in this first finding compared with typical state findings? Compared with the vast majority of state findings, the first HIWU finding is not based on a post-race drug test. Also, it carries a provisional suspension. Under a provisional suspension, the covered person, in this case, Poole, will not be able to participate in racing until the case is resolved.
In a June 9 press conference outlining HIWU procedures and protocols, HIWU executive director Ben Mossier said provisional suspensions will be imposed when allegations involve banned substances. Allegations involving controlled medications will not carry a provisional suspension.
Poole, who began training horses in 1989, this year has a record of 3-9-3 from 41 starts and earnings of $82,730.
HIWU on Tuesday declined to comment further on the public disclosure.