Quarter Horse Racing Authorities Voice Concern About ‘Alarming Increase’ In Ephedrine Use, Continuing Hair Tests Software – Horse Racing Information

The following press release was dispersed Jan. 24 by the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association:

It continues to be the goal of Remington Park and the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Affiliation to present a race meet of the greatest good quality and absolutely free of any horse racing procedures that are corrupt, dishonest, or unprincipled.

Necessitating each horse to provide a damaging hair test prior to entry not only offers self esteem to each and every owner and lover that the observe and horsemen are making each and every effort to be certain horses are not competing unfairly with an benefit from prohibited substances, but it also safeguards the welfare of the equine athletes.

The software has established to be productive. In the prior four decades, around 11,000 tests have been collected as a pre-entry prerequisite. Excluding horses that have been administered a prohibited material from racing at Remington Park usually means they are not competing with an unfair edge they are not placing the life of riders at chance, and they are not profitable purse income unfairly.

The post-race positives in blood and urine have fallen from 30-a few (33) Course 1 violations at Remington Park in 2017 to only just one (1) Class 1 violation in 2021. When hair screening is a terrific tool, it performs most effective in conjunction with a robust publish-race and out of competitiveness testing software. We imagine that Oklahoma continues to be a chief in racing integrity.

Remington Park, OQHRA and taking part horsemen have been at the forefront of integrity attempts investing about $3 million in hair screening and out of competitors testing to make sure the basic safety of the horse and fairness for bettors in Oklahoma. Almost $60 million in purse cash has been paid out during this time. Halting horses with an unfair edge prior to racing signifies that purse dollars is awarded to rightful recipients devoid of delays and attainable prolonged litigation.

As we shift forward, we recognize that we ought to continue on to determine substances that are remaining abused as well as go on to evolve the testing system so that we can improved detect prohibited substances. In working with industry leaders in Oklahoma and other states we are really inspired that Industrial Laboratories can now recognize added prohibited substances in hair. These drugs are and have been prohibited substances for quite a few yrs.

One material that has emerged as an abused prohibited material is ephedrine. We have witnessed an alarming increase in horses with heart challenges and started researching coronary heart fees in horses’ pre-race and post-race, which disclosed a important welfare situation. Ephedrine is a prohibited substance that has no therapeutic value, is not Food and drug administration-permitted and should really not be applied.
In 2022, we will be implementing favourable hair samples on any drug that is prohibited and detected in hair.

Industrial has been instrumental in tests and studying new and existing prohibited substances and we appreciate their cooperation to proceed to come across strategies to protect the integrity of the business and the welfare of the horse. Remington Park and OQHRA will continue on to function with the horsemen, business leaders and testing laboratories to increase the conventional and that “what we presently know” is not great adequate. The persons that go on to come across new strategies to cheat the system will have to also know that the solve for the fairness and security of our sport will not relaxation.

For far more info on the hair screening requirements or to routine your horse for screening remember to visit
https://www.oqhra.com/…/2022-remington-park-hair-tests/ or connect with (405) 881-5120.

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