Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council approves tighter clenbuterol restrictions

LEXINGTON, Ky. – A medication committee of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on Tuesday approved a proposal that would extend the withdrawal time for clenbuterol from 14 days to 21 days and require a horse to test negative for the bronchial dilator before being allowed to race again.

The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council voted to approve the new regulation with one dissenting vote, from the veterinarian Andy Roberts, who argued that Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds should not be treated the same under the regulation. Roberts has often argued to bifurcate medication rules based on breeds due to the fact that Standardbreds race far more frequently than Thoroughbreds.

With the approval, the KEDRC will send the recommendation to the full racing commission. As is common following KEDRC actions to issue recommendations, the commission is likely to vote to approve the new regulation at its next meeting, which has not yet been scheduled.

The move by the KEDRC follows similar decisions by racing regulatory agencies across the United States to further restrict the use of clenbuterol in racing. The drug, an effective treatment in horses for respiratory disease, is known to have steroid-like effects when used regularly. Recent hair sampling from horses in the barns of Standardbred and Thoroughbred trainers who were indicted earlier this year on charges related to the administration of illegal substances to horses revealed widespread administration of the drug, according to multiple regulatory officials.

Dr. Bruce Howard, the KHRC’s equine medical director, said during Tuesday’s meeting that the commission has received “numerous complaints” from horsemen about use of the drug for its muscle-building properties, and he cited the recent test results for the need to extend the withdrawal time.

Kentucky currently has rules allowing for the administration of the drug following a diagnosis of respiratory disease. Under the new rules, a horse’s urine will need to test negative for the drug before the horse will be allowed to enter a race. The KHRC will pay for the testing, Brown said.