RACING VICTORIA STANDS FIRM ON IBUPROFEN ISSUE

By Graham Potter | Friday, February 12, 2016

Racing Victoria is standing firm on the controversial ibuprofen issue.

The RV Board met yesterday to deal with this issue and, after due deliberation, it was decided that there would be no change to the existing status of the anti-inflammatory drug as it relates within the Australian Rules of Racing.

That decision followed the recommendation of RV’s Integrity division which contended that any exemption ruling on the drug ... which is a prohibitive substance on race-day ... would compromise the industry’s commitment to drug-free racing.

The decision comes on the back of frustrating times for connections of the likes of Signoff, Rib Eye and St Jean, who have all continued to return positives to ibuprofen at certain times in spite of not having been treated with ibuprofen for several months.

Ibuprofen had originally been used on these horses at the same rehabilitation facility to help overcome tendon injuries.

To add to the confusion, on other occasions during the same testing period the horses involved have tested clear of the drug at various times.

RV does acknowledge the fact that some unknown factor is involved ...particular in terms of the excretion rate of ibuprofen within the horse’s system.

One theory is that ibuprofen gets trapped in horse’s system and only gets flushed out when the horse tackles serious exercise ... and, even then, does so intermittently, which further clouds the issue.

Notwithstanding that, RV has made their decision in the overall interests of a drug-free sport.

RV Chief Steward Terry Bailey explained that standpoint on RV’s website Racing.com.

“We sympathise with the owners of the small group of affected horses from the one rehabilitation regime, however, Racing Victoria is committed to enforcing the Rules of Racing by governing a sport which sees all horses race free of the effects of drugs,” Bailey said.

“We understand that the use of this substance for the treatment of tendon injuries in racehorses is a complex issue because of prolonged and unpredictable clearance of the drug so we have explored all available options for the affected connections.

“However, the parent drug ibuprofen is being detected in samples obtained from these horses at levels that make it impossible to differentiate between a recent treatment and a level caused by the leaching of the substance from a tissue storage site.

“Ibuprofen is a prohibited substance because of its potential to mask the pain and loss of function associated with inflammation which may increase the risk of injury to both the horse and riders during racing. It also has the potential to improve the racing performance of a sore horse.

“It is for these reasons that all non-steroidal anti-inflammatories are prohibited on race day.

“There is also concern that prolonged, high-dose administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, may have adverse effects on the long-term health of horses.

“There is currently little information available on how the drug is processed by the horse’s body and we are continuing to attempt to better understand its behaviour in horses and why these prolonged and unpredictable clearances have occurred in this group of horses.

“In the immediate future we will continue to work with trainers in facilitating elective testing on the small group of affected horses, however, it will remain the decision of the trainer whether they are satisfied that their horse is free of the substance when presented to race.”