EMHF Holds General Assembly

The European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation held its general assembly in Sweden on May 29, hosting representatives of 20 of its 28 member horse racing authorities including Greece, its newest member. The general assembly appointed two new members to its executive council: Helena Gartner, chief administrative officer at the Swedish Horseracing Authority; and Dr Martina Krejci, secretary-general of the Jockey Club of the Czech Republic.

The EMHF reaffirmed its position against anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances. It issued a statement on its commitment to the exclusion, within its member countries' rules of racing, to a total ban on the use of such substances in racing, without therapeutic use exemption. The EMHF also committed to a strong emphasis on out-of-competition testing.

EMHF Chairman Brian Kavanagh said, “The EMHF is committed to the highest standard of doping control procedures and there is unanimous support for a prohibition on the use of steroids from birth to retirement of racehorses, increased out-of- competition testing and no therapeutic use exemption. Where possible, member countries will now reflect this policy in their rules of racing and their doping control procedures, delivering a common approach throughout the region on this key issue.”

Also discussed were Brexit implications, namely the importance of impressing upon those conducting Britain's exit from the EU that the freedom of movement of horses between Britain and EU countries should not be impaired.

“Brexit is the biggest challenge to face the European horse racing and breeding industries in a long time,” Kavanagh added. “The sophisticated and effective processes which we have developed over the years for the movement of horses and people throughout Europe should not be taken for granted and it is imperative that the interests of the Thoroughbred racing and breeding sector are taken into account during the forthcoming Brexit negotiations. It was reassuring to note the unanimous support across all EMHF members for the protection of the current position, which has been hard-earned over many years.”