A Common Resolve
In 2001, the American Association of Equine Practitioners hosted the Racehorse Medication Summit in Tucson, Arizona bringing together representatives of horse racing’s organizations—racetracks; racehorse owners, breeders, and trainers; veterinarians; jockeys; breed registries; racing association; and regulators—to  address the consequences of conducting pari-mutuel horse racing in 38 states under 38 different sets of rules. While other countries had a single rule book, the US had 38.
A trainer racing horses on an annual circuit that might include Kentucky in the spring and fall, New York in the summer and Florida in the winter would be required to know and comply with three different sets of medication rules—at a minimum. Sending a horse to race in a stake in Illinois meant yet another set of rules. Sending several horses to Louisiana instead of Florida? Another set of rules. What was permitted in one state might be prohibited in another. Importantly, the health needs of the horse did not change by crossing a state line.
The Summit attendees recognized the need to:
- Develop and promote uniform rules, policies, and laboratory testing standards at a national level;
- Coordinate research and educational programs to promote the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses, jockeys and drivers; and,
- Protect the interests of the racing public.
Specific to the use of medications in racehorses, Summit attendees agreed on a philosophy that:
- Allows racehorses to receive ethical and humane care
- Promotes competition of health, sound horses
- Prevents medication from affecting the outcome of a race.
The Summit attendees committed to sustaining a shared effort and combined voice in achieving their goals and promoting their medication philosophy, and with that the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) began its work.
20 years later, the RMTC’s accomplishments include:
- Investing over 3 million dollars in more than 50 research studies on methods to detect and deter the use of banned substances, and strategies for the control of therapeutic medications to ensure their use does not impact a horse’s racing performance,
- Developing and implementing a laboratory accreditation program establishing and enforcing performance standards, promoting the sharing of testing methods and scientific knowledge among laboratories, and funding post-doctoral fellowships to ensure future leadership for drug testing laboratories, and hosting workshops for analysts to receive training on new methods and technologies;
- Providing education for racing officials, veterinarians, equine law specialists, racing commissions, and horsemen including topics such as medication, injury prevention and mitigation, anti-doping programs, investigative and surveillance tools, and drug testing practices;
- Developing and advocating for adoption of Model Rules* on prohibited substances, out of competition testing, integrity measures, control of the use of therapeutic medications, the elimination of the use of anabolic steroids, documentation and disclosure of equine treatments promoting efficacy in health and soundness assessments.
*Model Rules promote uniformity in the regulation of horse racing across North America. The RMTC, or other engaged organizations or individuals, proposes Model Rules to the The Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), a group comprised of representatives of individual states’ racing regulators that engages in collective policy formation. Individual ARCI members advocate for adoption of Model Rules at the State level.
What we have learned:
That a uniform rule is a start rather than an end point. Uniform language without uniformity in testing and enforcement does not achieve true uniformity. The illusion of uniformity benefits no one.
2001 saw the formation of the RMTC with its members sharing a common goal of safety, integrity, and uniformity for horse racing. Much has been accomplished, but much work remains. The RMTC remains committed to research, education and advocacy for science-based initiatives that promote the health and safety of the racehorse and the integrity of competition. The RMTC stands ready to meet the evolving needs of horse racing.
