DRUG REFORM FOCUS OF IFHA CONFERENCE

Editorial by Michele MacDonald, Photos by Mathea Kelley 

Flanked by a delegation including Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and the top three Kentucky Racing Commission officials, The Jockey Club Chairman Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps told delegates of the 48th International Conference of Horse Racing Authorities Oct. 6 that North America must end the use of drugs in racing. 

“I assure you that nothing is more important to The Jockey Club at this point in time,” Phipps declared to the assembly of racing leaders from around the world. 

“If we don’t have integrity, we don’t have fans. And if we don’t have fans, we don’t have an industry. A medication-free environment would be good for all of us, whether the consumer is the investor in bloodstock or the gambler,” Phipps said. “In North America, our main focus is reforming our medication policies.” 

The Jockey Club’s management team continues to work on “developing and implementing a national legislative strategy, which will include a broad coalition of supportive industry groups and individuals,” he said. 

James Gagliano, president of The Jockey Club and also an IFHA vice chairman, said during a conference break that the organization is conducting meetings and seeking input on the issue and will become more active following national elections in November. 

“If we take a look back at the last four years, anyone who has been involved can only say there has been a large shift toward uniform, better regulation and the elimination of race-day medication,” Gagliano said. “We see it every day, going back to that trainers’ announcement in August [that Lasix should be eliminated in racing]–there’s been some remarkable progress that we can build upon going into the next year and beyond.” 

Gagliano said he was pleased to see the Kentucky officials at the meeting, which also was attended by owner and breeder Bobby Flay. 

IFHA leaders have pressed North America to ban medication in racing, and at times some officials have suggested that the region’s graded stakes should not be recognized if horses that compete in those events race on drugs not allowed elsewhere. 

“We believe–and often state–that horses should compete only when they are free from the influence of medication,” Phipps said during his speech. “Research has confirmed that our medication policies in North America are alienating current fans, prospective fans and prospective partners–not to mention animal rights activists, media and Congressional leaders.” 

Noting the complexities in dealing with 38 different states, as well as the various provinces of Canada and all the varied racing rules, Phipps said progress has been made toward achieving the goals of the National Uniform Medication Program that covers drug classifications, accreditation of drug testing labs and penalty guidelines. 

He also praised the work of the IFHA, which counts 60 member nations that collaborate on international objectives, and said the organization offers an inspiration that the 38 jurisdictions in the United States can come together to ban drug use in racing. 

“It gives me hope that 38 states in the same country will follow that example [of the IFHA]–and that they will do so sooner rather than later,” Phipps said. 

Beshear, who attended the G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was joined at the IFHA meeting by Kentucky Racing Commission Chairman Bob Beck, Vice Chairman Tracy Farmer and Executive Director John Ward. 

“We need to be a part of this discussion,” Beshear said in a brief interview regarding the topic of prohibiting drugs in racing. “We need to listen and try to find ways for a solution and to work with our worldwide partners. 

“Just the fact that [the issue of drugs in racing] is being discussed is a step forward,” Beshear added. “The more that happens, then people will come to some kind of a solution. I’m glad Kentucky is here to participate. We want to be part of the worldwide discussion.” 

Romanet reported in a written document that IFHA has made “significant steps” over the past two years in the campaign against drugs in racing, achieving a ban on anabolic steroids in Europe, Asia and the Americas [with some therapeutic use still accepted]. Additionally, South America has prohibited Lasix in all Group 1 and Group 2 races, with Uruguay and Brazil taking further action by prohibiting the drug in all graded and black-type races. 

In praising Phipps’s speech, Romanet said he hopes that by the time of inaugural Pan-American Conference set for New York next year in conjunction with the running of the GI Belmont S. “that you will have some good news for us” on the progress to make American racing drug-free. 

Improved Drug Testing Necessary…. 

In another presentation during the conference, a call was issued for increased drug testing on horses while in training, not just on those that have raced. 

Romanet joined Dr. Yves Bonnaire, director of laboratory drug testing for French racing, in declaring that out of competition drug testing is important to ensure the integrity of racing.

“We want to develop control of horses outside of competition. I must insist on that,” Romanet said, adding that perhaps in the future horses that are identified with microchips could be detected by GPS anywhere they are located and thus accessed for testing, if needed. “The key is we must know where the horses are.” 

Bonnaire explained that some drugs cannot be detected in post-race samples, but that unannounced, out of competition testing–particularly conducted just prior to big races–could turn up abuses. He also suggested that testing of hair samples for drugs be conducted “as soon as possible,” in order to reveal as much information as possible about what kinds of substances might be in racehorses’ systems. 

During the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians in Mauritius in September, Bonnaire said the 240 delegates from 31 countries discussed harmonization of rules as well as which drugs are the major threats to racing. A proposed threshold level for cobalt, which can enhance the use of oxygen in the body like EPO, will be presented soon. 
Bonnaire outlined the substances that should be prohibited at any time in the career of a racehorse, listing anabolic agents, Beta-2 agonists–unless prescribed by veterinarians as a bronchodilator at appropriate dosage levels–and peptide hormones, growth factors and metabolic modulators. 

During the ICRAV, a laboratory harmonization task force was created and a variety of labs have been designated as IFHA reference laboratories that will test international race samples. 

A list of the most critical drugs for testing will be developed by the end of 2014 and testing procedures and other requirements will be proposed by early 2015, with a full protocol in place before the end of next year. 

With financial resources always an issue, Bonnaire urged sharing of information, including research testing. 

Fierce Debate Continues Concerning Surface Issues… 

During another featured presentation on the safety of racing surfaces, American-based, English-born trainer Graham Motion told IFHA delegates that he hopes that the U.S. will do away with Lasix in racing and conduct only drug-free competition. 

“As a generalization, I think we all are pushing to do away with medication,” Motion said in response to a question about whether racing injuries in the U.S. could be tied to drug use as well as to racetrack surface safety issues. 

Both Motion and Dr. Mick Peterson, Ph.D. of the University of Maine and a racing surface testing and safety specialist, praised all-weather racetracks for being more consistent and thus generally safer for horses than either dirt or turf tracks. However, both pointed to both real and perceptual issues with the surfaces that have led to their decline in the U.S. 

Peterson said he was “a fan” of synthetic surfaces until they began to degrade with age and exposure to weather. The cost of initial installation and then replacement of these types of surfaces generally cannot be supported, he said. 

“If properly maintained, the best dirt tracks are very similar to synthetics,” Peterson added. “We need to make every dirt and turf track as good as possible…we need to have top-quality maintenance at every level [of the sport].” 

Motion, who presented a film about the dirt, turf and all-weather track facilities at the Fair Hill Training Center in Maryland, where his racing operation is based, said that the “problem with synthetic tracks in America is that they were introduced as being maintenance-free, and that’s far from the truth.” 

The fact that all-weather surfaces need ongoing maintenance, as is regularly given to the synthetic track at Fair Hill even though it is not subjected to the demands of racing, is what “led to the demise” of synthetic racetracks,” Motion said. “People aren’t prepared to put that much money into them.” 

California’s mandate in 2006 to require all racing be conducted on synthetic surfaces was “noble” but “the result was not, as the tracks are now being removed and replaced by dirt,” Motion said. He suggested that there was not enough known about synthetic surfaces at the time the mandate was issued and that track maintenance crews were not properly prepared to perform that maintenance. 

Additionally, he said it seems as if “some corners were cut in the construction” of those tracks, leading to problems with drainage. 

Motion said he prefers to train his horses on the synthetic surface at Fair Hill, which remains consistent even in wet and cold weather, although he will start his young horses on dirt to see how they perform prior to selecting other surfaces for racing as warranted. 

The addition of synthetic surfaces in some racing jurisdictions could offer another alternative during inclement weather to either turf or dirt tracks, which both are affected by rain. When races are taken off the turf at Saratoga Race Course, for example, Motion said there would be larger fields and thus better racing if an all-weather surface could be used rather than switching those races to muddy dirt ovals. 

“The point is I believe there is a place for synthetic tracks in America,” said Motion, who trained champion Animal Kingdom to win the GI Kentucky Derby in his first career effort on dirt as well as a victory in the GI Dubai World Cup on an all-weather track and a troubled but brilliant runner-up finish in the GI Breeders’ Cup Mile on turf to Wise Dan. 
“They shouldn’t have been installed as quickly as they were, but they also should not be dismissed,” he continued. “They’ve proven to be safer, and ultimately we have a responsibility to the horse.” 

Motion added that he “will gladly take part” in Keeneland’s meeting with its “sophisticated, researched and high-tech dirt track” and emphasized that racing should continue studying what kind of surfaces are the safest for the horses. 
Peterson said data now is being collected at seven primary tracks, as well as at other locations, and that study will continue into the elements of the safest racing surfaces. 

Social Media is the Answer… 

During another panel presentation, racing authorities were told by representatives of the Manchester United soccer team and BMW how those organizations reach out to fans and customers with social media. 

In introducing the discussion, Hong Kong Jockey Club Chief Executive and IFHA Vice Chairman Winfried Engelbrecht-Bresges noted that the explosive growth of Internet connectivity means that 39% of the entire world population now has online capability, with acceleration of access ongoing. In Hong Kong, 63% of people have mobile phones and the population there averages about six devices per person. 

Therefore, social media has become “the main way people communicate or get information,” Engelbrecht-Bresges said. “It’s a unique opportunity for us in racing to connect with the mainstream. 

“It is not a matter of should I invest or not. It is a must,” he added. “If you are not there, you are not relevant and you will not become an option for future customers.” 

David Sternberg, head of media for Manchester United, said the team focuses on unique content including exclusive video, original artwork and “as much behind-the-scenes content as we can possibly secure because we know that’s what our fans are looking for and there is no place else they can go to get it.” 

Wolfgang Breyer, BMW’s head of international advertising, online communication and entertainment marketing, said that social media now encompasses every avenue of life, noting that even the previous Pope established a Twitter account some years ago. By the year 2020, social media will not be referred to by that name and will just be the standard avenue of communication globally. 

Organizations must establish clear rules about what to present on social media, with BMW’s four tenets as follows: be present, be relevant, boost joy and drive sales. BMW encourages people to post and comment via its social media platforms on its automobiles, he said. 

KRA Seeks Recognition as a Part II Country… 

In other IFHA presentations, Park Yang-Tae, general manager of the Korea Racing Authority, announced the KRA’s plan to seek recognition as a Part II country by 2016 under International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee standards. 

During the summer, Korea hosted the Asian Challenge Cup with horses from Singapore and Japan competing against locally-based runners. By next year, another country will be invited and by 2016, five countries will be included with the race potentially achieving Korean Group 1 status and international Group 3 recognition. Longer term, the KRA would like for the race to be an international Group 2 event by 2019. 

The KRA’s aims include upgrading the value of Korean-raced horses and raising the perception of Korean racing around the world while giving fans better racing and encouraging the breeding and development of more competitive Thoroughbreds. 

As part of the strategy, Park said Korean races should be integrated and not separated by horses’ country of origin, as now is done to give Korean-breds preference. Additionally, price restrictions on colts and geldings purchased abroad should be relaxed. 

Another part of Korea’s strategy will be to attain international ratings for its horses, both through hosting international races and by sending domestically-trained horses to racing events in other countries. 

Korea currently imports many yearlings and horses for breeding from the U.S. If it can achieve Part II status, it would be included with Hong Kong, India, Macau, Malaysia, Panama, Puerto Rico, Scandinavia, Singapore, Turkey, Uruguay, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

IFHA delegates also were warned of the challenges racing faces around the world and in Scandinavia by Harold Dorum, chief executive of the Norwegian Tote and a horse owner. 

Racing in general has been far too slow to respond to the ever more rapidly changing world and capitalize on media and technology, he said. 

“The challenge for the sport is about much more than improved racetrack facilities, investing in new technology and communicating what the sport is about with new and modern packaging,” Dorum said. 

“Apart from some modest attempts to modernize the graphics, adding ‘more of the same’ to race meetings, I would claim that there are few differences in how a race meeting is organized and presented to the public today compared to 40 years ago. 

“But despite this, we ask ourselves why people have stopped going to racing anymore and wonder why our audience gets one year older every eight months. This is a warning sign, just as much for us as betting operators as for the horseracing authorities. You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to understand that if we do not move, and if we do not move fast and surprise the market by investing in new technology and new solutions to improve the racing experience, I am afraid that we are going to face a year-by-year decline.” 

Racing must be open to change including the addition of more betting products and recruitment of new owners while promoting the sport with a more “modern appeal,” he said. 

Priority Must Be Placed on Horse Welfare… 

In closing the conference, Romanet emphasized that every jurisdiction must place a priority on horse welfare, which he said is “paramount for IFHA.” Global standards must be developed with the recognition of how important public perception of horse welfare is to the sport of racing. 

With the sponsorship of Longines, the IFHA has secured financing through 2018 and has set goals that in addition to implementing best practices for horse welfare, include an agreement with the Organization Internationale des Epizootes [the world animal health panel] to facilitate the international movement of horses; the new program of certification for testing labs; quality control of graded races; higher profile regional conferences and a development of communications, both internally and otherwise, to promote IFHA policies.

Alec Head Receives LONGINES & IFHA Award…

Prominent horseman Alec Head was presented with the second LONGINES and IFHA International Award of Merit by Louis Romanet, IFHA Chairman and Juan Carlos Capelli, LONGINES’ Vice President, Head of International Marketing at the Jockey Club in Paris, France Monday evening following the 48th Annual International Conference of Horseracing Authorities. 

“Both the Head and the Romanet families have been involved in the racing industry for more than 100 years on two different sides,” said Romanet. “The Heads were active horsemen and we were regulators, but we have greatly enjoyed working together and the names of our two families are known everywhere around the world thanks to my father Jean and to Alec who were both totally international minded and respected all around the world. There really may be no other person (than Alec Head) that better embodies the accomplishments, values, and excellence that the LONGINES and IFHA International Award of Merit represent.” 

Head trained four G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners as well as an G1 Epsom Deby hero during his time as a trainer. He is also a manager of the family farm Haras Du Quesnay which is associated with greats like Le Fabuleux (Fr) (Wild Risk {Fr}), Bering (GB) (Arctic Tern) and Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}) just to name a few. 

Added Capelli, “I would like to congratulate Alec Head, who has won fame successively as a jockey, trainer, owner and horse breeder, for his award. He is one of the most prominent personalities in the horse racing and has, thanks to his impressive career, deeply marked this world. His experience and dedication to horse racing are a true inspiration for all of us and his award is fully deserved.”