Information for prospective purchasers, vendors and consignors

As we approach the height of the yearling sales season, the BHA has issued the following update to remind all vendors, consignors and prospective purchasers of the Rules of Racing in relation to the use of unlicensed antipsychotic medications.

We are aware that substances such as reserpine and fluphenazine have been administered to horses prior to sales, presumably for the purpose of calming and ease of handling.

Regardless of the intention, there are significant equine safety, welfare and integrity concerns with this practice.

It is important for all vendors, consignors and prospective purchasers to understand:

• Substances that have no current approval by any government regulatory authority for veterinary use, or any substance not universally recognised by veterinary regulatory authorities as a valid veterinary therapeutic treatment, are prohibited at all times.
• Substances such as reserpine and fluphenazine are Category A, as defined by the Rules of Racing, and must not be present in a horse’s body at any time.
• Where a horse has a confirmed positive for a Category A substance in a sample, and a breach of the Rules is proven (by virtue of confirmatory analysis from the laboratory), the horse will be subject to a suspension from racing of 14 months.

Please remember that BHA-badged post sales testing is available at most British sales houses for lots purchased.

Purchasers are given this option at point of sale, with the horse taken immediately from the ring to the sample unit for testing. We strongly recommend that purchasers make use of this service.

It is also advisable to check the conditions of sale at each relevant sales house prior to any purchase to establish whether the horse may be returnable to the vendor if a post-sales blood sample is found to contain a prohibited at all times substance as defined by the BHA Rules of Racing.

If purchasers choose not to utilise the point-of-sale testing option and the horse subsequently has a confirmed positive for a Category A substance, then the horse will be at risk of the mandatory stand down and suspension from racing.