Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton have announced restrictions on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids and bronchodilators for all horses sold at auction sales conducted by the two companies with immediate effect.
The latest reforms are in addition to restrictions put in place earlier this year for two-year-old sales conducted at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. It follows action in 2009 to ban the use of anabolic steroids in sales horses and last year’s ban on the off-label use of bisphosphonates in horses younger than four years old.
“We remain united in our advocacy to serve the best interest of the horse. The use of medication is the most critical issue facing the thoroughbred industry, and one that threatens the confidence of both the marketplace and the public,” Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason and Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning jnr said in a joint statement:
“These reforms continue to promote transparency and integrity, and in doing so, strengthen the entire auction process.”