After a series of news on horse racing involving death and steroid use had created a general outburst, the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee made few changes in the rules of the sports. Aside from steroid ban, banning of toe grabs or any traction device worn on the front shoes while racing or training was also added. According to the new policy, no horse on steroids will be allowed to compete in any race.
It is noted that steroid used to be legal in the sports but when trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. admitted to the press that he administer Winstrol to Big brown every 15th of the month. Big Brown won the first place in the last year’s Kentucky Derby.
From Daily News:
At the time, Winstrol was legal in Kentucky, but in the furor that ensued, the use of anabolic steroids was banned, and this year, no horse will compete on steroids in the Triple Crown series that begins on Saturday with the 135th running of the Kentucky Derby.
Other changes announced by the Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee, created days after the death of the filly Eight Belles in last year’s Derby, included the ban on toe grabs or any other traction device worn on the front shoes while racing or training, so a horse’s stride isn’t impeded, and a requirement to use safer whips.
In relation to the death of the Eight Belles, no evidence of steroids or any detrimental medicine were found in the bodies, that is why trainers like Larry Jones, Rick Dutrow Jr.., and Michael Matz believe that accidents in any sports happen, and this incident is one.
The three agreed on the new rules. They also believe that there is a need for a national body to employ rules on everything including licensing and medication.
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