For the first time in its 135-year history, the grade I Kentucky Oaks and Derby, as well as all other races on the Churchill Downs weekend race card, will be contested anablolic steroid free thanks to rules passed by the Kentucky Racing Commission.

"This year racing is steroid free thanks to reforms enacted by the overwhelming majority of racing regulators,” said Ed Martin, President of Racing Commissioners International.

The plan to remove steroid use from racing was first discussed at an Eastern Regional meeting of the Association of Racing Commissioners International at Charles Town Race Course in West Virginia Sept. 30, 2006. The association worked with racing regulators and the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium to develop an omnibus regulatory approach to this issue, which was embodied in a model rule passed by the RCI in April 2007.

Since the model rule was passed, all stakes races across the country are now free of horses competing on steroids, and an overwhelming majority of racing jurisdictions have outlawed, removed, and regulated steroid use on horses that race.

FDA approved steroids, under the controlled supervision of a licensed veterinarian, are still permitted consistent with the practice of veterinary medicine to assist a horse recuperating from an injury or medical procedure; however, horses being treated with steroids are not allowed to participate in racing contests.

“In the past year we have proven that regulators can move in a concerted effort to enact reforms that are in the best interest of our equine athletes and racing in general,” said Martin. “Regulators have effectively stopped the routine use of steroids in racing horses. As a result, our horses will be stronger, healthier, and run according to their natural ability.”

RCI has adopted a rule requiring softer riding crops in Thoroughbred racing and has just enacted a Model Rule requiring all horses scheduled to race to receive a pre-race physical examination by an association or commission veterinarian.

RCI is also encouraging state legislatures to provide adequate funding to state racing agencies so they can provide staffing in order perform the pre-race examinations. Kentucky is one of many states that already require a pre-race physical examination by a commission veterinarian before racing.

A rule on softer riding crops in Kentucky is currently going through the regulatory process, and toe grabs have been banned in the state. Maryland and New York, homes of the second and third legs of the Triple Crown, Preakness and Belmont Stakes, both grade I, respectively, also have a ban on toe grabs on front horseshoes with heights greater than two millimeters.

“There are funding issues (in state governments) that are beyond the control of the state regulators,” Martin said. “But every trainer, owner, breeder, veterinarian, and racing fan has a vested interested to be heard to make sure regulators receive adequate funding in order to do their job.”