Horse Racing Safety Committee Calls for Steroid Ban

Big Brown's poor performance at the Belmont Stakes was connected to the use of a steroid. (AP Images)"]

The newly formed Thoroughbred Safety Committee, which was put together by The Jockey Club on May 8, announced several initiatives to level the playing field, increase the integrity and improve the safety in North American racing on Tuesday.

One of the committee’s recommendations is the complete elimination of steroids in the training and racing of Thoroughbreds. Horse racing is one of the last sports to ban the use of steroids.

Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Big Brown’s poor performance in the Belmont Stakes was clouded by controversy when his connections revealed that the Triple Crown favorite had been taken off monthly injections of the steroid Winstrol, which the colt had been receiving right up to his Belmont debacle.

Other significant initiatives include a ban on toe grabs on shoes and a series of whip-related reforms such as those that have been in effect in European racing for many years.

These are the first recommendations from the committee and if accepted, will be acted on almost immediately with all North American racing authorities required to implement the model rule no later than Dec. 31, 2008. Increased penalties, fines and suspensions will be the implemented to discourage any practices that stray from the new legislation.

The committee has the endorsement and pledged cooperation from many prominent national organizations in the Thoroughbred industry and will present an update on its activities and additional findings and recommendations at The Jockey Club's 56th annual Round Table Conference in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., on Aug. 17.

"Steroids, toe grabs and whip issues were all first identified at our Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summits," said Stuart S. Janney III, chairman of the Thoroughbred Safety Committee. "After closely examining each of them in detail and talking to many individuals with expertise in each area over the past several weeks, we feel strongly that these recommendations and actions will enhance the health and safety of both our equine and human athletes and further ensure the integrity of our sport. Numerous industry organizations have already expressed strong support for these recommendations, and we look forward to collaborating with them to get these changes implemented."

Read the Steve Davidowitz's article What Happened to Big Brown in the Belmont in the Bodog Racebook.