Jones, Brown, Belles and change
June 16th 2008 07:06
The US Government will address the debate and controversy on drugs in racing that surrounds and tarnishes the sport in the US at a summit meeting in Washington on the 19th of June. A US House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection has scheduled a hearing under the banner of Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of The Thoroughbred Racehorse.
In a mirror of my recent comments and concerns, the hearing has stated its aims as: "investigation of commercial breeding practices that emphasise precocity over durability, the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs and other medications, track surfaces, and the maintenance of tracks."
About time.
The scope of the inquiry gives some optimism that changes necessary will be identified and implemented. Horse racing in the US lacks a central regulating authority, and rules and regulations differ from state to state and with each jurisdiction. Previously I have wondered why there is not a uniformity of drug regulation across the country. Preferably to adopt the policy of lowest tolerance of drug use, so to avoid in future the taint and suggestion of impropriety as when Big Brown failed to win the Belmont Stakes without steroid use, after winning the first two legs on the drugs as policy permitted in other states.
The death of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby propelled the debate on thoroughbred breeding industry practices, i.e., breeding primarily for the lucrative 2 & 3 year old races with the resulting changes to horse physiques (bones) and durability; and also the problem of hard (dirt) track surfaces. The very public failure of Big Brown with a drug question hanging over him highlighted the drugs issue. The image and death of Barbaro also on the minds of many. Highlight these contentious events and tragedies against the premier races held in Europe or Australia.
I often discuss The Arc. One reason why so few US horses bother to compete in France is due to the fact that the cocktail of drugs permitted for use in US racing (Lasix, steroids in many forms, etc.) are banned in Europe. It is far easier for the US horses to compete in the Breeders' Cup meeting and continue with the drug cornucopia. It is also a difficult task for the best European horses to compete in the US when they may be at a disadvantage against horses full of various additives. Like competing against the Cold-War East Germans at Olympic Games, you may always wonder if the winner was actually the best.
And let us not forget Marion Jones and other US athletes caught as drug cheats. The East German (united Germany) cleaner now that both the US and Russia. The image below a warning for drugs used for sporting advantage.
(above is East German shot putter Heide Krieger, who needed a sex-change operation after taking performance-enhancing drugs. Photo: Getty Images)
I really wanted Big Brown to be as good as his emphatic wins leading to the Belmont Stakes indicated. But there will forever remain taint and cloud over all of his wins. Perhaps I wanted him to be Curlin Mark 11 - although noting that Curlin has kept improving with age and was not as all-conquering as Big Brown was in his 3 year old year.
First thing is for the US to standardise drugs policy across the whole of the nation. That can be implemented with consensus and on a penstroke. Secondly to examine the emphasis of quick return. Horse welfare needs to be the first concern - not profit.
Among those scheduled to appear at the hearing are Rick Dutrow Jr., trainer of Big Brown, and Jess Jackson, the senior owner of Curlin. Officials with the major racing clubs will also be in attendance, along with a racing analyst from ESPN.
And if only we can have agreement on a set of rules and regulations for drug use across all racing jurisdictions. Time for the recalcitrants to come on board.
And we in Australia should be prepared to incorporate here anything which will make horseracing safer and better respected. Neither have we finished learning or improving yet.
In a mirror of my recent comments and concerns, the hearing has stated its aims as: "investigation of commercial breeding practices that emphasise precocity over durability, the prevalence of performance-enhancing drugs and other medications, track surfaces, and the maintenance of tracks."
About time.
The scope of the inquiry gives some optimism that changes necessary will be identified and implemented. Horse racing in the US lacks a central regulating authority, and rules and regulations differ from state to state and with each jurisdiction. Previously I have wondered why there is not a uniformity of drug regulation across the country. Preferably to adopt the policy of lowest tolerance of drug use, so to avoid in future the taint and suggestion of impropriety as when Big Brown failed to win the Belmont Stakes without steroid use, after winning the first two legs on the drugs as policy permitted in other states.
The death of Eight Belles in the Kentucky Derby propelled the debate on thoroughbred breeding industry practices, i.e., breeding primarily for the lucrative 2 & 3 year old races with the resulting changes to horse physiques (bones) and durability; and also the problem of hard (dirt) track surfaces. The very public failure of Big Brown with a drug question hanging over him highlighted the drugs issue. The image and death of Barbaro also on the minds of many. Highlight these contentious events and tragedies against the premier races held in Europe or Australia.
I often discuss The Arc. One reason why so few US horses bother to compete in France is due to the fact that the cocktail of drugs permitted for use in US racing (Lasix, steroids in many forms, etc.) are banned in Europe. It is far easier for the US horses to compete in the Breeders' Cup meeting and continue with the drug cornucopia. It is also a difficult task for the best European horses to compete in the US when they may be at a disadvantage against horses full of various additives. Like competing against the Cold-War East Germans at Olympic Games, you may always wonder if the winner was actually the best.
And let us not forget Marion Jones and other US athletes caught as drug cheats. The East German (united Germany) cleaner now that both the US and Russia. The image below a warning for drugs used for sporting advantage.
Drug use for East German athletes was endemic
(above is East German shot putter Heide Krieger, who needed a sex-change operation after taking performance-enhancing drugs. Photo: Getty Images)
I really wanted Big Brown to be as good as his emphatic wins leading to the Belmont Stakes indicated. But there will forever remain taint and cloud over all of his wins. Perhaps I wanted him to be Curlin Mark 11 - although noting that Curlin has kept improving with age and was not as all-conquering as Big Brown was in his 3 year old year.
First thing is for the US to standardise drugs policy across the whole of the nation. That can be implemented with consensus and on a penstroke. Secondly to examine the emphasis of quick return. Horse welfare needs to be the first concern - not profit.
Among those scheduled to appear at the hearing are Rick Dutrow Jr., trainer of Big Brown, and Jess Jackson, the senior owner of Curlin. Officials with the major racing clubs will also be in attendance, along with a racing analyst from ESPN.
And if only we can have agreement on a set of rules and regulations for drug use across all racing jurisdictions. Time for the recalcitrants to come on board.
And we in Australia should be prepared to incorporate here anything which will make horseracing safer and better respected. Neither have we finished learning or improving yet.
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