In
a watershed moment in the history of Australian racing, the Australian Racing
Board (ARB) has today announced a total ban on the use of anabolic steroids
both in and out of competition.
Anabolic steroids as synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone promote
protein synthesis, muscle growth, red blood cell production, tissue repair
after stress and injury and appetite to meet demands for additional nutrition.
Currently in Australia anabolic steroids are only prohibited in horses on race
day but the new ban will apply to all Thoroughbreds from the age of 6 months
with that period allowed in the interests of animal welfare.
"The ban on anabolic steroids goes far
beyond any other racing jurisdiction outside of Europe and was decided by the
ARB Board after lengthy consideration of veterinary and scientific advice and
consultation with trainers' and owners' associations," ARB Chief
Executive Peter McGauran said.
"The ARB has adopted a zero
tolerance policy to the use of anabolic steroids in competition, training and
spelling and will institute heavy penalties for breaches of the ban."
"Foremost in the Board's consideration was the need for absolute integrity and
public confidence in racing. Although the use of steroids has greatly
diminished over the years to the point where they are rarely relied upon by
trainers, the ARB believes it is in the best interests of the industry that
they no longer be available for any purpose other than as a therapeutic
treatment for young foals," Mr McGauran said.
"Racing is a sport and as such must be a
test of the ability of the individual horse, its trainer and rider and not of
the pharmacologist, veterinarian or sports scientist. The true spirit of
competition means that no-one gets an unfair advantage which anabolic steroids
can confer in certain situations."
"A new Australian Rule of Racing
will be introduced on the 1st of November with the ban taking effect
from 1 May, 2014 thereby giving 6 months for a treated horse to be free of
anabolic steroids," Mr McGauran concluded.
ARB Release
Anabolic Steroids Banned From All Racehorses
Advertisment
More Reading...
Pencarrow’s Elite 24-Strong Draft Selling at Karaka 2026
Karaka 2026 will mark 100 years of the National Yearling Sale, and Pencarrow Stud are pleased to offer another outstanding draft of 24 yearlings for their 31st year of selling under their own banner.
Home Affairs Filly Dazzling on Debut for Lindsay Park
The Lindsay Park team have had a week far beyond what we would call tough, but a good horse is often the best tonic and Home Affairs filly Jacaranda scored a dazzling six length debut win at Seymour on Thursday.
$1.6Million for Sister to Caffe Florian
Three year-old Snitzel filly Caffe Florian has been one of the finds of the summer in Sydney reeling off three successive wins culminating with a Black Type success in the Listed Gosford Guineas and her full sister lit up the Magic Millions sale ring on Thursday selling for $1.6million.
Zoustar Mare Chasing Another G2
Stephen Marsh will be chasing a third victory in Saturday’s Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham and is confident he has the firepower on reasonable ground to go close.
Superstars at the Randwick Trials
Busy set of trials on Thursday morning with a big bearing on autumn feature races so let’s have a look at what unfolded – were you happy with your favourite?
$1million I Am Invincible Filly to Gai and Adrian
Champion sire I Am Invincible has already had two fillies sell for a million or more at the Gold Coast this year and had a third first thing on Thursday morning at Magic Millions.
$575,000 Filly Puts Spotlight on Satono Aladdin
A Group I winning sprinter miler by Deep Impact, Satono Aladdin (Jpn) is already a G1 producing sire and is the equal most represented of all sires at Karaka 2026 with 54 entries and Australian buyers have been given a taste of things to come at Magic Millions.
Anamoe Colt Bred on Magic Cross Sells for $850,000 to MyRacehorse
The first yearlings by Australian Horse of the Year Anamoe have been in hot demand this week at Magic Millions with two fillies selling for $800,000 and on Thursday that mark was surpassed by a gorgeous colt that made $850,000.
Yarramalong Park Celebrate Best Ever Result with $650,000 Home Affairs Colt
Exciting young sire Home Affairs made his mark at Magic Millions on Wednesday with an outstanding colt that made $650,000 for Queensland nursery Yarramalong Park.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
Three heats won by juveniles at Randwick on Thursday morning and two of those winners were unraced fillies by Home Affairs and Farnan with a half-sister to the latter being sold at Magic Millions on Tuesday and might just be a saleyard gift!