11/12/2003

HBPAs will block medication reform

Medication is a major issue in all sports these days: leaving many fans disillussioned. But in horseracing the problem has far more far-reaching consequences than just phony performances.

Athletes and professional sports players wittingly sail as close to the wind as possible, in their desire to win, set records and ultimately make money. But horses have no say in the matter and are in many cases abused to the extent that chronic unsoundness is being passed on to future generations

In the past, some athletes, like Ben Johnson, got caught. But everyone knows that they were not the only guilty ones. And today, with improved detection technology the cheaters are rapidly starting to outnumber the fair players.....which is a sobering thought.

In horse racing trainers have always sought to take an edge. And the latest revelation that the best 2-y-old in England, Three Valleys, tested positive for clenbuterol after the Grade 1 Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket, is just further indication that even people like his much respected trainer, Roger Charlton, are experimenting with everything at their disposal, in order to win.

However bad clenbuterol may be perceived to be, though, there are far worse drugs used every day in North America. But trying to restrict such abuse is easier said than done, because in every jurisdiction the local HBPA organizations defend their use....stating that their members (trainers) would not be able to compete without such assistance.

Now this is a very sad indictment of North American racing in general. And increasingly, as the international scene expands it's horizons in medication-free countries like Australia, Japan and the UAE (Dubai)...not to mention Europe where the rules are also much tougher, American horses find themselves excluded and unable to take part, which devalues their worth and the reputation of what has always been considered to be a great bloodstock industry.

Whether anything can be done about this sorry state of affairs will depend upon unilateral support for drug restrictions that are being proposed by various well-intended groups. The trouble is, the organizations that are supposed to protect the industry, do not appear to understand their true mandate. And unless leaders of the major HBPAs throughout North America wake up to this fact they are going to kill the goose that has been laying their golden eggs.

Footnote...at this year's Breeders' Cup all of the winners had only been lightly raced in their preparations....with Islington, High Chaparral and Pleasantly Perfect only running in their 4th. races of the year.

Horses are what makes horseracing special. They need to be cherished and looked after.