NY State Gaming Commission Issues Bisphosphonate Advisory Warning

Racing at Aqueduct | Sarah K. Andrew

Thoroughbred horse owners, trainers and/or veterinarians who are responsible for causing or failing to guard against an administration of a bisphosphonate to a racehorse less than four years old will be investigated and could be subject to fines of $25,000 and license revocation in New York State, according to a release issued by the New York State Gaming Commission.

“The New York State Gaming Commission has determined that there is no generally accepted medical use of a bisphosphonate in a racehorse that is less than four years old; that bisphosphonates are `other doping agents' within the meaning of the rule, and that any such administration shall violate the rule,” read the release.

The advisory said that the rule applies to any Thoroughbred horse engaged in activities, including training, related to competing in parimutuel racing in New York. This includes without limitation any horses that are training outside the jurisdiction to participate in racing in New York who subsequently race in New York and all horses that are training in the jurisdiction.

The rule also covers unintentional administration of the drug; and “any violation of this rule shall result in exclusion of the horse from racing and the license revocation of any responsible person,” the release said.

The Gaming Commission issued a separate general advisory in which equine medical director Scott Palmer recommended that no bisphosphonate be administered to a racehorse under four years old, and that such treatment is not a generally accepted veterinary practice.

 

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