General Assembly

1
General Assembly 42nd International
Conference 6 October 2008Safety and Public
Image of Racing in AsiaWilliam A Nader
2

• Objectives of Doping Control
• Minimize the number of violations resulting from
  the deterrent of a highly effective and well
  respected medication control program.
• Protect Integrity and Public Image
• Ensure competition is conducted under equal
  terms.
• Enhance confidence and interest of the sport and
  its participants.
• Protect the integrity of the wager.
• Protect the Industry
• Protect the livelihood of the people involved
  (riders, trainers, breeders, owners, etc.).
• Protect the welfare of the horses involved
  (prevent possible abuse identify and remove any
  artificially inflated value of horses).

3
Comparison of Positive Findings in the Past 7
Seasons (2000-2007)

• Post-race horse urine A samples from Hong Kong
  9 violations from 13,930 samples or 0.06
• Post-race horse urine A samples from elsewhere
  but analysed in Hong Kong with the same tests
  173 violations from 5,424 samples or 3.2
• Horseracing world average (IFHA data reported by
  40-48 countries for 2000 - 2006) 0.25
• FEI A samples from Asian countries (May 2001 to
  Apr 2008) and analysed in Hong Kong 21 of the
  301 horses tested positive (7.0) 15 of the 160
  urine samples tested positive (9.4)
• FEI A samples from the Medication Control
  Program in Europe (2001 - 2007) 1.1 - 4.6 of
  the horses tested positive annually (average 2.8
  positive from 10,969 horses tested in 7 years)

4

Stewards Incident Report
When the horses were marshalled in the sand yard
prior to proceeding to the saddling stalls, DIDI
became fractious and on two occasions broke free
of its handler. DIDI was examined by the
Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was
suitable to race. DIDI, which was fractious in
its barriers, bounded in the air at the start.
VICTORY MASCOT and BIG PROFIT began awkwardly.
SUPER FAMILY bounded in the air at the start and
lost ground. With the intention of being ridden
quietly from the outside barrier, STAREILLY was
taken back in the early stages. Making the turn
at the 800 Metres, SUPER FAMILY was steadied when
awkwardly placed inside the heels of STAREILLY.
Near the 500 Metres, SUPER FAMILY became
unbalanced. Throughout the race, LIONS FORTUNE
travelled wide and without cover. The performance
of SUPER FAMILY, which finished tailed out, was
considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to
race again, SUPER FAMILY will be required to
perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an
official barrier trial and be subjected to an
official veterinary examination. When questioned
regarding the poor performance of SPICY FRUITY, B
Prebble said he had ridden the horse which is
well-known to him in track work in preparation
for todays race and in his opinion this work had
been good. He said SPICY FRUITY appeared normal
in its action during the preliminary prior to
todays race. He said SPICY FRUITY began only
fairly and at no stage of the race stretched out
as he thought it should. He said he was concerned
with the action of SPICY FRUITY in the early
stages of the race and considered easing his
mount out of the race, however, elected not to do
so. He said SPICY FRUITY did not respond when
placed under pressure prior to the 600 Metres and
then in the early part of the Straight SPICY
FRUITY continued to give him no response and
because of this he looked down at the horses
legs on several occasions. Mr C H Yip, trainer of
SPICY FRUITY, said the horse was strongly fancied
by the stable in todays race on the strength of
its recent good track work. He was not able to
offer any explanation for the performance of the
horse. SPICY FRUITY was sent for an official
veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary
inspection of SPICY FRUITY after the race did not
show any significant findings. Before being
allowed to race again, SPICY FRUITY will be
required to perform to the satisfaction of the
Stewards in an official barrier trial and be
subjected to an official veterinary examination.
LIONS FORTUNE was sent for an official
veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of
LIONS FORTUNE after the race did not show any
significant findings. LUCKY QUALITY and SPLENDID
SAILS were sent for sampling.
5

Veterinary Records of Declared Starters
6

Official Veterinary Examination Procedures and
Common Vet Problems
1. When is an Official Veterinary Examination
requirement issued to a racehorse? An OVE is
issued by the Chief Stipendiary Steward or an
Official Regulatory Veterinary Officer
whenever A horse returns an unacceptable
racing performance that may have been
attributable to a veterinary problem.
A significant veterinary problem is identified
during the examination of a horse sent for a
clinical examination after racing. The
Veterinary Regulation Department is advised by
the Veterinary Clinical Department of the
diagnosis of a significant injury or medical
condition in a horse. 2. Why are Official
Veterinary Examination requirements issued?
OVEs are issued to, as far as possible, ensure
that Unacceptable racing performances are
investigated so that any veterinary problem that
may have contributed to the poor racing
performance may be identified and treated if
possible. A horse identified as suffering
from a condition that may impact on its racing
performance has that condition
investigated, treated and that the horse
demonstrates its suitability to race to the
satisfaction of an Officer of the Veterinary
Regulation Department.
7

Veterinary Records Database
8

• The Hong Kong Jockey Club Injury Comprehensive
  Minimization System
• Excellent, well maintained training and racing
  surfaces.
• Comprehensive racing and training injury
  reporting systems.
• Conservative and robustly enforced medication and
  prohibited substance control policies.
• Excellent veterinary clinical services.
• Sensible race-day farrier policies.
• Strong veterinary regulation system.
• Regulatory access to all horse's veterinary
  medical records.
• Comprehensive veterinary suitability to race
  management systems, including OVE for clearance
  to race after injury, illness or poor racing
  performances and pre-race veterinary inspections.
• Track-work monitoring systems with data
  accessible via the Jockey Club website.
• Pre-import veterinary examinations to determine
  suitability for use as a racehorse.