Trainers Unite for Lasix Ban

A group of 25 North American trainers, including Hall of Famers D. Wayne Lukas and Shug McGaughey, and leading trainer Todd Pletcher, have joined forces and have proposed the gradual elimination of raceday medication in the United States. Under the proposal, no 2-year-olds would receive raceday medication beginning in 2015, and no horses of any age would receive raceday medication starting in 2016. In addition, this group is supportive of the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium’s efforts to approve model rules for 26 controlled medications by the RCI Board of Directors. 
   “We believe it’s time to take a proactive position regarding the administration of raceday medication,” Lukas commented. “American racing has always been a global leader, and it’s time to restore confidence in our game and in our international standing.” 
   The complete group of trainers includes: Thomas Albertrani; Roger Attfield; Christophe Clement; Jose Corrales; David Donk; Neil D. Drysdale; Jeremiah C. Englehart; Eoin Harty; Neil Howard; Michael E. Hushion; D. Wayne Lukas; Richard E. Mandella; Claude R. McGaughey III; Kiaran P. McLaughlin; Kenneth G. McPeek; H. Graham Motion; William I. Mott; Todd A. Pletcher; Kathy Ritvo; Jonathan E. Sheppard; Albert M. Stall, Jr.; Dallas Stewart; Barclay Tagg; William Van Meter; and George Weaver.
   “The medication issue is definitely something that needs to be dealt with and if we can get something done nationally, even better,” Motion said when reached for comment yesterday. “The program the states came up with early on in the year–the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program–that was a big start trying to get all states on board that have the same medication policies. The problem I have with medication in this country, is dealing with different rules with every state that we go to, and I don’t think the general public has any idea how complicated that is for us. I very much endorse it [the Mid-Atlantic Uniform Medication Program] and it’s a big step to having a national policy or as close as we are going to get to have a national policy on medication. I think this is a step further.” 
    Motion continued, “I think by bringing up this idea of eliminating race-day medication, ultimately that’s everybody’s goal and is something we would like to see happen. That is why I’m becoming part of that. The problem we have in our industry is that nobody is bringing everyone together to have any kind of a national policy. I think by the trainers at least coming forward with this proposal it starts a conversation about having a national policy. There are a lot of things that come with that. The biggest thing is going to be enforcing the rules as they come into place. It’s all very well having rules, but if they aren’t able to enforce them if it ever happens, it’s not going to get us anywhere.” 
    Bob Curran Jr. of The Jockey Club was thrilled with the development.   
    “We’re heartened by the statement from such a prominent and accomplished and experienced group of trainers,” he told TDN. “The Jockey Club has long advocated for the practice of horses competing free from the influence of medication and this is right in line with that.”

What They’re Saying…
   “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Breeders’ Cup Limited, we want to acknowledge and applaud the courage of the trainers who have recently pledged their support for the gradual elimination of the use of authorized medications on raceday in the United States. The Breeders’ Cup has long advocated for policies that would bring the U.S. in line with other major international racing jurisdictions and we fully support this group of prominent trainers. We believe a broad coalition of tracks and owners also share this view and we are committed to provide support, financial and otherwise, to an effort to implement on a national basis phasing out raceday medications. We look forward to participating in this initiative to create a workable plan with others in the industry, including the forward- looking trainers who are signatory to this statement, all of whom are long-time supporters of the Breeders’ Cup.” –Breeders’ Cup Chairman Bill Farish &  Breeders’ Cup President & CEO Craig Fravel

   “I think–especially the fact that internationally, horsemen don’t run on Lasix–that it [race-day medication] is a problem that American racing needs to deal with at some point. It is probably as good a time as any.” –trainer Ken McPeek 

   “PETA supports the proposal by leading trainers to phase out race-day medications, beginning with banning Lasix for 2-year-old Thoroughbreds in 2015 and ending Lasix use for horses of all ages in 2016. As PETA’s recent investigation revealed, Lasix, a dangerous diuretic that is used to lessen the effects of pulmonary bleeding, is often used to gain an advantage rather than for valid medical reasons, because it makes horses lighter and faster. We urge the trainers who back this proposal, including Todd Pletcher, Bill Mott, and D. Wayne Lukas, to turn the proposal into action by being the first to dump Lasix in the trash can, where it belongs.” –PETA Senior Vice President, Kathy Guillermo