The word “prohibited” has strong connotations and only has one meaning under the IFHA’s definition, but under the NHA’s definition it covers quite a wide range of medication breaches (Picture: trainermagazine.com).
Doping Debate: What Is A Prohibited Substance?
“Positives” are the most misunderstood entity in horseracing as the majority believe it to be doping.
However, some confusion is added by the NHA’s definition of “prohibited substances”, which differs markedly from the International Federation Of Horseracing Authorities’ (IFHA) definition. (the NHA is a full member of the IFHA).
Read to the end of this article to see the potential for confusion this could create.
Most “positives:, which the public believe to be “doping”, are simply therapeutic medications which are subject to a withdrawal time and are not allowed to be above the HSL (Harmonised Screening Limit) on race day.
If the level of the medication is shown to be above the HSL when tested on race day, a “positive” is recorded and the trainer is punished by a fine.
Any medication administered must also be recorded in the “veterinary treatment register”. (VTR)
The IFHA lists drugs that are not allowed at any time and in any amount under “PROHIBITED substances”.
The IFHA’s Article 6A deals with “prohibited substances” and states:
The following are prohibited substances:
• Substances capable at any time of causing an action or effect, or both an action and effect, within one
or more of the following mammalian body systems:
the nervous system
the cardiovascular system
the respiratory system
the digestive system
the urinary system
the reproductive system
the musculoskeletal system
the blood system
the immune system except for licensed vaccines against infectious agents
the endocrine system.
• Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts
• Masking agents
• Oxygen carriers
• Agents that directly or indirectly affect or manipulate gene expression
However, in the NHA’s GUIDELINES FOR CLASSIFICATION OF
PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES, the classification of prohibited substances is shown below (all “classes” below fall under a banner of “prohibited substances”):
Class 1: Substances which have no place in horseracing, including illegal or Forbidden Substances.
Class 2: Substances which have an obvious effect on the performance of the horse.
Class 3: Substances which have the potential to affect the performance of the horse with the potential to be abused. Drugs that may or may not have a generally accepted medical use in the racehorse, but pharmacologically have less potential to affect performance than drugs in Class 2.
Class 4: Substances which have a generally accepted veterinary (therapeutic) use in the racehorse but which have the potential to affect performance.
Class 5: Substances which have an accepted veterinary use in horses but which may have performance modifying ability.
Class 4 above shows that certain therapeutic medicines fall under “prohibited substances” in the NHA definition.
A recent press release by the NHA regarding Axel Collins and You’re My Sunshine stated:
The National Horseracing Authority confirms that, following Out of Competition Specimen Collection performed by its Officials at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on Monday, 24 July 2023, an investigation was conducted into the veterinary treatments of horses declared as upcoming runners.
Pending the results of the NHA Laboratory analysis, on-site observatory evidence along with evidence provided by the Officials and after careful consideration of the contents of the Veterinary Treatment Register (VTR), AXEL COLLINS, NAPOLEAN and YOURE MY SUNSHINE were withdrawn from race meeting on 27 July 2023 at 09h25, in terms of Rule 4.2.18.
The NHA Laboratory, having conducted the requisite screening, has confirmed that specimens collected from AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE, revealed upon analysis the presence of four (4) prohibited substances, of which one (1) substance was not recorded in the Trainer’s VTR. An Inquiry will be opened into the one (1) substance that was NOT recorded for each of the respective two horses.
The investigation thus far has raised a host of serious concerns in relation to horse welfare, including the liberal and regimented use of medications and/or treatments administered to horses during the days preceding racing and the accuracy of the recordal of such treatment in the relevant VTR. It appears that this practice has become widespread and therefore not limited to an individual Veterinarian or Trainer.
The NHA advocates a fair and level playing field for all horses and, most importantly, for only fit and healthy horses to participate in races. The initial findings of this investigation have raised a myriad of alarming concerns and the NHA is in the process of conducting further investigations into practices, methodologies, mitigatory procedures, as well as considering possible amendments to the Rules, in order to eliminate such practices that some stakeholders wrongly believe to be acceptable and humane!
Under the IFHA definition the two horses look to have been administered a cocktail of completely banned substances.
However, the fact that the inquiry will only be about the substance not being recorded in the VTR would seem to indicate that the “prohibited substances” in this case fall under class 4 prohibited substances i.e. they are therapeutic substances that are not allowed to be above a certain level on race day.
NHA’s Rule 73.2 states: The TRAINER and/or OWNER of a HORSE shall be guilty of an offence if a SPECIMEN taken from that HORSE: 73.2.1 at any time within a period of 48 hours preceding the day of a RACE in which it is or was due to run contains a PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE unless the drug, which caused the finding of a PROHIBITED SUBSTANCE, was administered by a registered veterinary surgeon and the administration has been entered in the veterinary treatment register;
In the aforementioned press release The NHA do go on to display alarm about the liberal use of medications, the accuracy of the recordal of it, and they also point out that this practise is widespread.
From a layman’s point of view, one has to ask whether a horse who really does require as many as four therapeutic medicines a couple of days before a race is actually fit to race?
The press release concludes by saying: the NHA is in the process of conducting further investigations into practices, methodologies, mitigatory procedures, as well as considering possible amendments to the Rules, in order to eliminate such practices that some stakeholders wrongly believe to be acceptable and humane!
Hopefully the rule changes will see unfair practices taking place under the auspices of legal practices being stamped out. They are particularly unfair to the horse.
However, likewise, the NHA could perhaps be more specific when referring to “prohibited” substances.
Their definition of the word covers completely banned substances down to therapeutic substances, whereas press releases do not differentiate and just say “prohibited.”
The NHA do have a definition called FORBIDDEN substances, but this appears to aline with what the IFHA calls PROHIBITED substances.
And take note that the NHA’s PROHIBITED class 1 substances include FORBIDDEN substances.
All very confusing.
Readers of such a press release above are left guessing i.e are the prohibited substances forbidden substances or are they just class 4 prohibited substances i.e. therapeutic medication?
However, another big debate happening at the moment, apart from the above, revolves around intra-articular injections.
A rule change has already taken place to deal with that practice, which it seems must have been an aspect of medication that was also beeing abused.
Horses can only be barred from running at certain racecourses based on NHA rules if such action originates from the NHA itself.
Horses Can Only Be Barred By The NHA
4Racing Press Release
To all racing stakeholders
NHA Assurance
In response to the speech delivered by Mr. Greg Bortz, the Executive Chairman of Cape Racing, on September 1, 2023, at Kenilworth Racecourse, during which he mentioned the potential barring of certain stakeholders from participating in races at Kenilworth and Durbanville racecourses:
Executive management, senior leadership and stakeholders of 4Racing have received numerous enquiries regarding the veracity of Mr. Bortz’s statement.
In light of the above, a meeting was convened between Mr. Charles Savage, Chairman of 4Racing, Mr. Patrick Duff, Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Gabriel Soma, Head of Racing Operations and Mr. Vee Moodley, the CEO of The National Horseracing Authority. This meeting followed a telephonic discussion between Mr. Moodley and 4Racing’s CEO, Fundi Sithebe, to gain clarity on Mr. Bortz’s comments.
Mr. Moodley affirmed that his stance on the matter had been conveyed to the 4Racing Executive team prior to the speech and remains unchanged: “Any horses barred from entering any racing jurisdiction in the country cannot be excluded based on NHA rules, unless such action originates from the NHA itself.”
Furthermore, the NHA has requested that operators enhance security measures in the pre-saddling. This initiative is currently in progress and is expected to be completed within the month.
4Racing remains wholeheartedly committed to the NHA and comprehends the significance of upholding the integrity and legitimacy of the sport. This commitment is exemplified by our continued substantial support for the regulator while refraining from interfering with its processes.
Charles Savage
Chairman, 4Racing
Directors: Charles Savage, Emma Callister, Fundi Sithebe
Freda Moloi (Company Secretary)
Johan Janse van Vuuren with the Betway Summer Cup trophy (Picture: JC Photos)
Joburg Trainers Eye Cape Town Bases
8th Race: (2) Stormy Choice (6) Dark Tide (13) Mandalay (5) In The Ether
Mares To Dominate Vaal Middle Stakes
Jack Milner (TAB4Racing)
Fillies and mares often come into Middle Stakes races well handicapped and that is showing up in the outcome of those races.
That allowance given to the fairer sex looks likely to determine the outcome of Race 5 at the Vaal on Thursday, a Middle Stakes over 1600m on the Classic track, where Perfect Witness, Crimson Princess and River Queraress come out as the best weighted runners.
While River Queraress does not yet appear to have regained her early form and might still need a run or two. Her merit rating continues to fall and another visit to the winner’s enclosure should not be far off, both Perfect Witness and Crimson Princess could be the pair to fight out the finish of this event.
Perfect Witness gets the nod for this one for two reasons. The first is that she seems to have got over her slump earlier this year and trainer Candice Dawson seems to have got her back to her best.
The second is that she has developed an excellent relationship with jockey Gavin Lerena. She has won two of her last three starts and Lerena was on board in both of those races. He has been engaged to ride the five-year-old daughter of Flower Alley once again.
However, even her penultimate race in which she finished a 0.80-length fourth behind talented Melech was a decent effort and she does come into this event as the best weighted runner.
Crimson Princess comes in as the next best handicapped runner and this six-year-old Silvano mare will be having her second start for trainer Roy Magner. She was previously trained by Ashley Fortune who has gone off to Australia and did well enough last time to indicate she would be a contender in this line-up. That was in a MR 96 Handicap over 1450m at this course in which she finished a 1.60-length third behind Zuzan.
She was running on well in that event and will no doubt benefit from the additional 150m.
Jockey Muzi Yeni will ride her for the first time and that must be another aspect in her favour as he has not ridden better than he is right now.
He has got off to a flying start in the charge for this season’s championship and leads the field by 14 winners at the time of writing with the season not even six weeks old.
As is so often the case with progeny of Silvano, Crimson Princess is getting better with age and from No 3 draw is expected to be factor in the finish.
Of the colts and geldings, the two runners who stand out are Silent War and Brave Viking. Silent War comes from the in-form Tony Peter yard and will be looking for his third successive victory. His last win was over 1450m at this course, and he will have no problems with the extra distance. Craig Zackey takes the ride, and they will jump from barrier No 4.
Brave Viking is from the Joe Soma yard, and he has been lightly raced and has won three of his last four starts. Philasande Mxoli takes the ride, and he has the benefit of jumping from pole position.
Jack Milner’s selections
Race 1: 5 Sunshine Day, 3 Flying Puma, 1 Southern Style, 6 Arctic Commander
Race 2: 3 Policy Of Truth, 4 Tyson The Brave, 10 Viva Spirit, 2 Heart Of Thieves
Race 3: 6 House Of Romanov, 7 Scarlett Pimpernel, 5 Siracha, 1 Puerto Plata
Race 4: 2 Last Cheer, 4 Burmese Tiara, 10 Ideal Future, 3 Pretty In Pearls
Race 5: 3 Perfect Witness, 1 Crimson Princess, 8 Silent War, 5 Brave Viking
Race 6: 1 Bloomington, 3 Nordic Rebel, 9 Napoleon, 4 Rain Or Shine
Race 7: 8 War Queen, 1 Covert Operator, 2 Siberian Steel, 5 Successful Secret
Race 8: 2 Stormy Choice, 1 Brosnan, 8 Red Carpet Girl, 4 Happy Analia
BEST BET
Leg 4: 1, 2, 4, 8
Gimme And His Awards Trophies
Varsfontein stallion handlers Justin Antonie and Ricardo Muller proudly display the trophies earned by Gimmethegreenlight this past season, Equus Champion Stallion and Cape Stallion Of The Year. Gimmethegreenlight finished the 2022/2023 season on top of all three sire categories.
Calvin Habib Double
Calvin Habin scored a double on the Hollywoobets polytrack today (Wednesday).
Today’s Question
Why did the Aga Khan withdraw his horses from England in late 1990?
