By Blood-Horse Staff

As a result of veterinary advice during an investigation into whether a yearling sold at public auction tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid, Racing Queensland stewards have determined altrenogest is not so classified.

The conclusion was made following a sample taken from a yearling colt sold at this year’s Magic Millions January sale that showed the presence of altrenogest.

As a result of its conclusion, there will be no sanctions on the ability of the yearling to race.

The Australian Racing Board banned steroids in May 2014. Under that ban, a horse testing positive for steroids is prohibited from competition for one year and the person(s) administering them banned two years.

The Sydney Herald-Sun said a prominent trainer purchased the yearling and would return it because of the one-year prohibition on a horse testing positive being able to race. The trainer said he did not want to be unfairly associated with the medication issue should the horse test positive again, according to the Herald Sun.

Wade Birch, RQ general manager of stewards and integrity operations, said upon the sample’s return that stewards had sought the advice of the Veterinary and Analysts Committee and a prominent Queensland professor of veterinary pharmacology to determine whether altrenogest was an anabolic androgenic steroid.

Stewards also considered the newly-introduced Australian Rule of Racing 15D and 177B(2), pertaining to the testing of horses out of competition, and an Australian Racing Board notice containing a list of substances prohibited by the new rules. The notice also advised that altrenogest was permitted for use in female horses to regulate their cycles.

“Upon considering veterinary advice and the Australian Racing Board notice, stewards determined that altrenogest is not an anabolic androgenic steroid, and is therefore not prohibited in male horses if present in a sample taken out of competition,” Birch said in a statement on the RQ website. “Despite having a similar chemical structure to an anabolic androgenic steroid, the advice we received satisfies us that altrenogest does not have a similar biological effect.

“Accordingly, no bans will be imposed on the colt in question. As a result of these findings, Racing Queensland will compile a report for the Australian Racing Board advising of its considerations and the advice received in the course of the investigation.”