Goffs to test for steroids

The Goffs/DBS Group, which holds sales under the Goffs and Doncaster Bloodstock Sales banner in Ireland and England, has announced that it will begin testing for anabolic steroids at its auctions as of Jan. 1, 2008.

The announcement follows Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton's pledge earlier this month to ban anabolic steroids within 45 days of an auction. Their joint policy allows a buyer to request a blood test of a horse at the time of sale and to rescind the purchase if the horse tests positive.

The Goffs/DBS announcement cited improvements in the accuracy and speed of steroid testing and said the company's decision was based on its "efforts to increase transparency within the bloodstock industry."