Chairman of Stewards Report – Septemper 2014
Warning on the use of arsenic-based preparations in racehorses
Trainers and other industry participants are reminded that arsenic is a prohibited substance
according to the Australian Rules of Racing, and further, there is a threshold level of 0.30
milligrams per litre in urine to control its use in racehorses.
Registered veterinary products that contain arsenic-based compounds include:
Arcyl Solution for Injection
Ferrocyl injection
Troy Invigorate Injection
Jurocyl Injection
The product Caco is no longer registered with the APVMA and should not be administered to
horses but it also contained an arsenic-based compound.
Trainers are therefore reminded to avoid using these preparations close to racing, and a useful
guideline is not to administer them following a single dose within a 5 clear day period before
racing. Multiple administrations will prolong this period, so extreme caution must be exercised if
administering them on consecutive days. The administration of any of these preparations must
be recorded as treatment according to the provisions of AR.178F.
The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) has the capability to routinely screen for
arsenic in equine urine in accordance with AR.178C(1)(b).
Horse Handler Banned Substances
Rules governing the testing of horse handlers came into effect on the 1st August 2014 although
stable employees in NSW have, under the powers of Local Rule 82B, been the subject of
testing for banned substances since 1st December 2005. Horse handlers are defined under the
rules as “any licensed or any person who handles any horse at any meetings, trial, jump out or
in training and includes but is not limited to stable hands, trainers, veterinarians, farriers and
barrier attendants.” The new rules are set out in the rules section of this magazine and all
horse handlers should fully acquaint themselves with the substances that are banned under
AR81BB.
Importantly, riders and stable employees are warned against taking herbal and other “over the
counter” medicines without firstly making thorough enquiries as to whether ingredients of such
products are regarded as a banned substances. The fact that a medicine is herbal or indeed
“non-prescription” does not at all guarantee that is does not contain a banned substance. In
particular, there is a need to be wary of products where ingredients are not fully listed or herbal
products where ingredients may vary between batches.
Just a few examples of these products that are available “over the counter” or via the internet
that fall within the definition of a banned substance include;
1. Reductil :a weight reduction pill containing sibutramine
2. Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) extract containing the weight loss agent synephrine
3. Coca tea derived from the coca plant and containing the illegal stimulant cocaine
4. Thermo-lift classic formula, an appetite suppressant containing ephedrine
5. Ephedra sinica (ma huang) extract an appetite suppressant containing ephedrine
Breaches of the banned substance rules attract substantial penalties which necessarily must
contain elements of both specific and general deterrence.
However, where a rider or horse handler is taking prescribed medication for a particular
condition and that medication appears on the banned substance list, there is a provision, under
AR 81E, to allow such medication by making the necessary application and receiving prior
approval from RNSW.
AR.81E. Notwithstanding the provisions of AR.81A and AR.81AA, a Principal Racing Authority
may permit a rider or horse handler to receive a specified banned substance, subject to the
following conditions:
(a) The medication must be essential treatment for a substantial illness, condition or
ailment suffered by the rider or horse handler;
(b) The medication must be prescribed by a medical practitioner who is a recognised
specialist in the relevant field of medicine;
(c) The specialist medical practitioner must certify:
(i)
(ii)
(iii)
(iv)
the nature of the illness, condition or ailment being suffered by the rider or
horse handler.
that no alternative, non-banned substance would serve the same purpose for
the illness, condition or ailment concerned.
that the medication would not affect the rider in a race, trial or trackwork to
the extent that it could in any way constitute a danger to other riders.
That the medication would not affect the horse handler in the carrying out of
his duties and/or constitute a danger to himself or to others.
(d) The rider or the horse handler must if requested submit to medical examination by a
specialist medical practitioner appointed by a Principal Racing Authority to advise it
on the matters referred to in subparagraphs (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph (c) of
this rule.
(e) The rider or horse handler must:
(i) Before riding or handling any horse make application to the Principal Racing
Authority for permission to ride or handle a horse with a specifically prescribed
banned substance in his system.
(ii) Adhere strictly to his prescribed medication, and must report to the Stewards
immediately he forms the intention to discontinue or in any way vary his prescribed
medication;
(iii) Report to the Stewards immediately he believes that either his illness, condition
or ailment or his medication may have some influence on his ability to ride or handle
a horse effectively and/or safely.
(iv) Renew his application for exemption on each occasion on which he applies for
the renewal of his licence, registration, permit or other qualification.”
Disqualified Persons
Effective 1st August 2014, AR195A has been amended to put beyond doubt that disqualified
persons remain bound by the rules of racing during the term of their disqualification.
AR195A
(1) Subject to AR.195A(2), if a licensed person is disqualified his or her licence
immediately ceases and determines and he or she must make application to the
Principal Racing Authority to be relicensed.
(2) A disqualified person is and remains bound by, and subject to, the Rules for the
period of his or her disqualification.
Significantly, AR182(3) provides that a period of disqualification shall automatically
recommence, unless otherwise determined by the Principal Racing Association, should a
disqualified person contravene any of the disabilities which attach to a disqualification as
outlined in AR182(1).
Change of Ownership
In accordance with Australian Rule of Racing AR57 (2) (d), and with a view of streamlining the
transfer of ownership process, new procedures have been instigated with effect 1 August 2014
for the managing owner when transferring the ownership of a horse.
Under the new system, when completing the Transfer of Ownership form, provision has been
made for the managing owner to sign on behalf of those owners remaining in the ownership
whose share percentage will remain unchanged. The managing owner will be responsible for
advising all remaining owners of the change in structure of the ownership.
It will still be necessary for the person, or manager of an entity, to sign the Transfer of
Ownership form should they be relinquishing all or part of their percentage of ownership in the
horse.
Examples of this are:
 Where an owner is selling 5% and the new owner, or an existing owner is purchasing
that 5% then the exiting owner would sign the Transfer of Ownership form and the
managing owner can sign on behalf of the remaining owners. The incoming or existing
owner will need to complete a Transfer of Ownership – New Ownership Details page.
 Where an owner is selling 10% and five new owners are purchasing 2% each then the
exiting owner would sign the Transfer of Ownership form and the managing owner can
sign on behalf of the remaining owners. All five incoming owners will need to complete a
Transfer of Ownership – New Ownership Details page.

Where 100% of the ownership is being relinquished all exiting owners must sign the
Transfer of Ownership form.
New Transfer of Ownership, Horse Registration and Change of Manager forms, dated 1 st
August 2014, are now available from the Deputy Registrar’s of the Principal Racing Authorities,
or from the RISA website www.risa.com.au by going to the Registrar of Racehorses section.