U.S. Reps. Andy Barr from Kentucky and Paul Tonko from New York, co-chairmen of the Congressional Horse Caucus, recently held a hearing regarding legislation that would create uniform federal drug rules, laboratory standards and penalties in 38 jurisdictions that allow parimutuel wagering on horse racing. Under the proposed bill, the U.S. Anti Doping Agency, a non-profit company, would be appointed to oversee medication and testing policies in racing.
Currently owners and trainers are licensed in each state where they race horses; often the rules vary from state to state. Furthermore, breeders and trainers who support the proposed bill said the use of certain drugs in the U.S. has diminished the value of their horses in the international Thoroughbred market.
Breeders’ Cup Ltd. President Craig Fravel said national oversight is needed because the industry can’t establish uniform racing rules in every jurisdiction. “We should not confuse progress with success, and we should not be content with a system that has dramatic room for improvement,” Fravel said.
Racehorse owner and celebrity chef Bobby Flay, a board member of the New York Racing Association and Breeders’ Cup, told lawmakers, “The American Thoroughbred product is tainted” because of drug use in horses, particularly the use of furosemide, which Flay called a “performance enhancer” He added, “We’re the only major racing country in world that allows race day medication. We are on an island by ourselves and frankly, we can’t afford to be. I’d be willing to publicly debate anyone who has the nerve to stand up and take the stance that racing is better with drugs,” he said. Flay stated U.S. horse racing has a reputation of “rampant drug use.”
National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association Executive Director Eric Hamelback voiced concerns about the legislation. “The problem will not be solved by federal oversight used to force regulations onto rogue jurisdictions, but rather the industry working together to get the details correct,” he said. Hamelback told legislators the bill would prevent drug research and stymie progress at the state level toward uniform rules. He dropped hints that his group questions the bill’s constitutionality and might file a legal objection to it.
“We’ve tried for a long time to fuse all these jurisdictions forever and try to have some uniformity. We’re here because we need one big oversight,” Flay said. Added Barr said, “It’s clear the status quo is not working,” and he vowed to continue to work for passing the bill.
