By Blood-Horse Staff

The Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. will begin implementing guidelines for controlled therapeutic medications at its 2-year-olds in training under-tack shows this spring that follow the uniform medication model rules created by the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

Starting with its March 2-year-olds in training sale’s under-tack show March 11-13, the Central Florida auction house will enforce the RCI medication schedule for administering nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and bronchodilators. OBS will incorporate the entire RCI medication schedule by the 2016 2-year-olds sales season.

“In addition to existing state regulations, random testing during our breeze shows has been in effect for many years,” said OBS president Tom Ventura, noting that OBS has implemented restrictions on the use of medications and prohibited the use of all Class 1 and Class 2 drugs, Salix, and procaine penicillin. “Adding the (RCI) guidelines will enhance our current policy and promote the movement toward uniform race-day medication rules throughout the country.”

Ongoing efforts to create a uniform medication policy for racing has been a collaborative effort by several industry groups including the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), The Jockey Club, and RCI. Many racing states have adopted or are in the process of adopting the model rule policies. A state bill that would implement the RCI model rules by January 2016 has been introduced in both Florida’s Senate and House of Representatives.

“OBS fully supports the bill being considered by the Florida legislature at the upcoming legislative session,” said OBS chairman Mike O’Farrell, owner of Ocala Stud. “It is incumbent upon leaders in the industry to take steps to implement policies that promote and protect the integrity of the game. This is a step in the right direction.”

In other policy changes, OBS has modified how exercise riders can use riding crops at under-tack shows beginning with the March sale. At any time during a breeze, a rider may only use the riding crop while both hands are holding the reins and may not strike the horse behind the girth. A rider is prohibited from striking the horse in any manner beyond the finish line. In situations where the safety of the horse or rider is in jeopardy, a riding crop may be used in front of the girth. Excessive whipping before the beginning of the work or in preparation for a breeze is prohibited.