OBS bans steroids in sale horses

The Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. in Ocala, Fla., is the latest auction house to ban anabolic steroids in sale horses within 45 days of an auction, starting with the company's Feb. 12 select 2-year-old sale.

The company announced the policy Tuesday, following similar announcements by Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. OBS will allow buyers to request tests for steroids and to rescind purchases in the event of a positive test.

OBS also has refined its prohibited practices to ban from the sale grounds shock wave therapy, radial pulse wave therapy, and acupuncture and electro-stimulation with the intent to alter laryngeal function. The company also has banned internal blisters or other behind-the-knee injections to conceal a horse's conformation and the use of electrical devices to stimulate performance on the racetrack, as in under-tack shows.

Regarding medication, OBS will not allow any Class 1 or Class 2 substance to be administered to a sale horse while it is on the grounds. The company also will forbid bronchodilators within 72 hours of an under-tack show or sale session and will ban furosemide (Lasix or Salix) and procaine penicillin in any sale horse on the grounds.

OBS will continue to conduct random drug tests at its under-tack shows for 2-year-old sales. The under-tack shows for the Feb. 12 auction will take place on Feb. 3 and 10 at OBS, which recently installed a new Safetrack all-weather surface.