Midlantic stakeholders call for bisphosphonates ban

Photo by The Racing Biz.

The entire Mid-Atlantic region– regulators, horsemen’s organizations, breeders’ organizations, racetrack operators and veterinarians– has joined together to mandate an immediate and strict prohibition on the use of bisphosphonates in all horses under the age of 4. The decision was made at the annual Mid-Atlantic Regulatory and Stakeholders meeting held at Delaware Park on March 21, 2019. The action followed a recommendation from the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association (THA) Board of Directors on March 7, 2019 urging a regional and national ban.

The Mid-Atlantic mandate is as follows:

“The entire Mid-Atlantic region will impose, and strongly urges all Thoroughbred industry stakeholders and regulators to support, the enactment of an immediate prohibition on the use of bisphosphonates in all horses under the age of 4, unless and until the scientific and veterinary community determines that the use of such drugs does not compromise the health and welfare of the horse. The use of bisphosphonates in horses 4 years old and older should be limited to only those horses who have been diagnosed with navicular disease by a veterinarian and for whom the use of such drugs is warranted.”

The National HBPA, which participated in the Mid-Atlantic meeting and voted at the meeting to support the directive, has issued its formal support and will urge all its affiliates to join with their Mid-Atlantic affiliates in a nationwide prohibition.

“There is absolutely no reason for these drugs to be administered to a horse, except under the very limited circumstance for which they were approved by the FDA. While we recognize that there are scientific and testing challenges, it is indisputable that there is no legitimate extra-label use for these drugs in racing and breeding and we must act to stop it now if we are to fulfill our commitment to the health and welfare of the horse”, said Alan Foreman, Chairman and CEO of the THA and long-time coordinator of the Mid-Atlantic meetings.

“The regulatory community strongly supports this action and will take the necessary steps to see that it is enforced. I thank our Mid-Atlantic regulators and stakeholders for joining together quickly and unanimously to implement this prohibition and will seek the full support of the ARCI at our meeting in California”, said J. Michael Hopkins, Executive Director of the Maryland Racing Commission and Chairman of the Association of Racing Commissioners International.

“The National HBPA and its affiliates are, and have always been, committed to the highest standards of equine health and welfare. Together, we join with other major industry stakeholders and regulators in supporting an immediate prohibition on the off-label use of bisphosphonates, which we believe is in the best interest of our equine athletes and our industry”, said NHBPA CEO Eric Hamelback.

The organizations, stakeholders and regulators who joined in this directive are:

• Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• New York State Gaming Commission
• New York Racing Association
• New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
• Maryland Racing Commission
• Maryland Jockey Club
• Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• Maryland Horse Breeders Association
• New Jersey Racing Commission
• Darby Development (Monmouth Park)
• New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• New Jersey Thoroughbred Breeders Association
• Delaware Park
• Delaware Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission
• Pennsylvania Racing Commission
• PARX Racing
• Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association
• Pennsylvania Horse Breeders Association
• Penn National Gaming
• Pennsylvania HBPA
• Hollywood Casino at Penn National
• West Virginia Racing Commission
• Hollywood Casino at Charles Town
• Charles Town HBPA
• Colonial Downs
• Virginia Racing Commission
• National Steeplechase Association