Racing Medication and Testing Consortium

05/20/2020

The May 19 webinar panel was part of a series of weekly online seminars on equine health and safety topics presented by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation.

05/19/2020

"Research to find alternative methods to detect bisphosphonates in Thoroughbreds will be carried out in California...by the University of California-Davis K.L. Maddy Equine Pharmacology Laboratory...The work has been made possible through a gift from Vinnie and Teresa Viola’s St. Elias Stables.The support was offered following an appeal by the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC), and the American Association of Equine Practitioners in June last year for research proposals to investigate bisphosphonate use in racehorses and in young racing prospects intended for sale at public auction...Grayson’s research projects for 2020 include another study regarding bisphosphonates, “Bisphosphonates and Fatal Musculoskeletal Injury.” The study, based at Cornell University, is supported by the RMTC and the Klein Family Foundation."

"As owners of Thoroughbred racehorses, we believe that medications that are harmful to a young horse’s skeletal system should never be administered off-label."

05/19/2020

ICYMI:

On Friday (April 24) the New York State Gaming Commission issued a notice regarding testing to be performed on hair samples of particular horses.

05/19/2020

ICYMI:

For some people, the federal indictments of over two dozen people in horse racing for drug adulteration and misbranding were a confirmation of long-held suspicions — that racing wasn't as clean as it should be. For Hanover Shoe Farms president and CEO Russell Williams, it was a call to action. Wil...

05/19/2020

ICYMI:

During a monthly meeting of the California Horse Racing Board by teleconference April 22, commissioners authorized the scheduled dates for the upcoming summer meet at Los Alamitos Race Course and passed two veterinary regulations.

05/18/2020

RMTC FAQ Spotlight

Q: What happens if I use medications that are not on scheduled on the CTS?

A: Veterinarians are free to use any drug they are otherwise legally able to use within their jurisdiction. However, the NUMP does not provide uniform thresholds for those drugs nor does the NUMP provide withdrawal time information. Further, if a horse tests positive for a medication not on the CTS in a jurisdiction following the MMV, the violation will result in the assignment of twice the points of any medication on the CTS in the same penalty class.
For example – if a horse tests positive for a medication on the CTS list that carries a class C penalty – that violation is a 1 point penalty. If the medication is not on the CTS list and carries a C penalty – the violation is twice the points or a 2 point penalty.

The AJC is a staunch supporter of the efforts of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

05/14/2020

R.D. Hubbard, who bred, owned and raced thoroughbred and quarter horses and was an influential executive in the racing industry, has died. He was 84.

05/14/2020

Officials from Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales companies announced April 30 restrictions on the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids,

05/14/2020

California Prohibits Bisphosphonate Use In Any Horse On CHRB Grounds

New California Horse Racing Board Rule 1867.1, which becomes effective July 1, prohibits the administration of bisphosphonates to any horse within a facility regulated by the CHRB and also prohibits any horse from entering the grounds that has been administered the drug within six months. This means...

05/11/2020

Congratulations to RMTC board member Dr. Glenn Blodgett on his induction into the prestigious American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame! Dr. Blodgett's Class of 2021 induction will take place at next year's AQHA Convention in San Antonio.

Induction into the American Quarter Horse Hall of Fame is the highest industry honor that can be bestowed upon a human or equine. Those chosen for induction are recognized for their lifetime of accomplishments and service.

AQHA Past President Dr. Glenn Blodgett of Guthrie, Texas, will be inducted into the Class of 2021 at the 2021 AQHA Convention in San Antonio. He will be honored at the convention, along with the Hall of Fame Class of 2020, whose induction was postponed due to the cancellation of the 2020 AQHA Convention. Read more here - https://bit.ly/2L9ZFsx

05/08/2020

RMTC FAQ Spotlight

Q: What happens if I use more than one medication from this list?

A: Veterinarians and trainers are permitted to use more than one medication on a horse – whether the medications are on the CTS list or not. For those on the CTS list, however, it is important to note that the withdrawal guideline is based upon a single medication administration. While it may not be true in all cases, there is the potential that the administration of multiple drugs simultaneously may cause a medication to be eliminated more slowly than if a drug is administered alone. If administering more than one medication, the veterinarian is encouraged to determine whether the potential for drug/drug interactions exists and to adjust the dose or withdrawal time accordingly. Furthermore, phenylbutazone, ketoprofen and flunixin have secondary thresholds that restrict stacking of those medications.

The AJC is a staunch supporter of the efforts of the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium.

05/08/2020

RMTC's Dr. Mary Scollay will be moderating the panel, "Equine Injury Database: 2019 Statistics and Racing Fatality Data" for the June 9th Zoom webinar hosted by Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation. Click below for more information on the upcoming weekly webinar series.

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05/08/2020

When Churchill Downs begins its delayed spring meet May 16, it will also begin an era of expanded horse safety protocols at the Kentucky track.

05/05/2020

A gift from you today means we can continue to protect the health of the horse and the health of our sport through science and integrity. Your generosity will support critical RMTC research, education and advocacy initiatives. Please join the movement and give now here: https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/1908416

05/01/2020

ICYMI: A Letter to Racing Fans from RMTC Chair Alex Waldrop

Catch the cheaters; protect the honest. It is a fundamental concept that requires a complex and coordinated effort by our entire industry.

05/01/2020

"Let’s come together to drive a spike of generosity, citizen engagement, business and philanthropy activation, and support for communities and nonprofits around the world." Check back on Tuesday, May 5, to see how you can join the movement – a new global day of giving and unity – while supporting the critical work of our horse industry ! Together, let's support research, education and advocacy for science-based initiatives that promote the health and safety of the racehorse and the integrity of competition.

is a global day of giving and unity that will take place on May 5, 2020 as an emergency response to the unprecedented need caused by COVID-19. Together we can heal. Be a part of the solution: show your support and rally to do some good!

04/29/2020

April 2020 RMTC Veterinary Technical Bulletin:

04/29/2020

April 2020 Horsemen's Bulletin issued by RMTC includes updates to the Uniform Classification of Foreign Substances and a recommendation regarding the use of medroxyprogesterone (often known as Depo Provera):