Keeneland announced a new condition of sale Wednesday that will allow buyers of both yearlings and horses in training that are headed to Great Britain or via other countries that share the British Horseracing Authority (BHA)’s policies on anabolic steroids and substances prohibited by the BHA, to be tested for those substances within 60 days of purchase. Currently, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland and Sweden are the other countries that would qualify. The condition of sale was created due to the BHA’s Equine Anti-Doping Rules, which is a zero-tolerance policy for horses imported to Great Britain for training and racing implemented Mar. 2 of 2015.

“By implementing this new condition of sale, which addresses the BHA’s enhanced policy, our British and European buyers will have added confidence that horses bought here can train and race in Great Britain,” commented Keeneland President and CEO Bill Thomason.

Added BHA Director of Raceday Operations and Regulation Jamie Stier, “The BHA’s Equine Anti-Doping Rules, which include a zero-tolerance approach to anabolic steroids, which the BHA considers to have no place at any stage in the life of a racehorse, were implemented in March 2015 and ensures that British racing not only adheres to, but exceeds where possible, the IFHA’s international minimum standards on this issue. These rules, like all BHA Rules of Racing, do not seek to regulate any international racing or breeding industries, however, we welcome the proactive, constructive and collaborative approach taken by Keeneland to offer this extra service to their customers who are intending to purchase a horse to enter the British market.”

Beginning in 2008, Keeneland created a policy regarding testing for the use of anabolic steroids in yearlings sold by the auction company and no horse has tested positive for the substance to date. This new condition parallel’s Keeneland’s current condition regarding anabolic steroid testing that is still in force.

The new condition of sale will be in place beginning with the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, held Sept. 14-26. The condition will be implemented as follows:

At the time of the sale, the buyer will check the appropriate box for BHA testing on the acknowledgment of purchase and security agreement for horses which will be exported to Great Britain within 60 days of purchase. The box may also be checked if the buyer intends to export the horse to France, Germany, Hong Kong, Ireland and Sweden within 60 days, before shipping to Great Britain.Keeneland will arrange for a blood sample to be taken by a veterinarian immediately after purchase and prior to the horse leaving the sales grounds. The sample will be tested at a laboratory in England selected by the BHA.

If the BHA post-sale test is positive for anabolic steroids, the buyer has the right within 24 hours of notification, to rescind the sale and return the horse to the consignor.

The buyer will bear the cost of the test, unless positive results are found,
which switches the cost to the consignor.