ANABOLIC STEROIDS

Had a call from the NHRA and they are reading the above post and will be sending a reply before the end of the week.

scotia Wrote:

---

> Had a call from the NHRA and they are reading the
> above post and will be sending a reply before the
> end of the week.

Have they forgotten ?

I did a follow up on Monday and should get reply today?

Hi Dave
My apologies for not having sent you a note last week.Will let you have
something by Wednesday this week at the latest.
Regards
Rob

Sorry to say if the NHRA had to ban all the trainers using ENHANCERS there will be no trainers left to train these magnificent beasts who are already perfectly engineered to RUN.
If most of these idiots had any clue about horses they would know that each horse is a individual, A proper training program,good food , healthy natural additives , thick bedding and lots of TLC is all that is needed and the ability to understand that each horse can only run that fast and no faster that is why only about 10% of horses off a large sale are winners & only about 4% will win graded races (approximately).
I abhor the use of any enhancers and believe that the penalties should be much harsher, I also want to win but to win like that is not how i want to win??????

 

maintaining the integrity of the sport of horseracing

Dear Dave
 
You asked me to comment on the NHA’s policy regarding prohibited substances and, in particular, anabolic steroids following many posting on our African Betting Clan website.
 
I do not intend to respond to each posting but will rather deal broadly with the NHA’s policy/ philosophy on prohibited substances and our testing policies and laboratory.
 
The NHA, together with some 50 other racing countries, is a signatory to Article 6 of the International Agreement of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities which deals with substances which are prohibited in horses participating in thoroughbred horseracing.  All of these countries have committed themselves to the provisions of Article 6 in that they essentially prohibit the presence of any substance in a horse during a race which could give that horse an advantage or disadvantage.
 
The rationale behind this philosophy is that if one administers medication to a horse which participates in a race:
 
-                      the horse has no say in the medication administered to it;
 
-                      the horse’s participation in the race could aggravate the condition for which it is being given medication; and
 
-                      the horse will, because of the medication, be at an advantage or a disadvantage compared to the other participants in the race as compared with a situation where it participated free of medication;
 
In other words, racing a horse with medication in it constitutes potential:
 
-                      abuse of the horse;
 
-                      unfair advantage for the connections; and
 
-                      unfair disadvantage for punters.
 
The NHA has not over the years treated anabolic steroids any differently to any other prohibited substance.  There will always be divergent points of view regarding steroids.  Some, including veterinarians, will argue that they should be banned whilst others will argue that they have a legitimate use for therapeutic purposes to facilitate for example recovery from major injury or debilitating diseases.
 
The NHA requires trainers in terms of the Rules to record in a Treatment Register, which is provided by the NHA, any preparation which contain a prohibited substance administered and/or any veterinary treatment to any horse under their care.
 
The NHA takes samples from the winner of every race run in South Africa as well as at random, at the discretion of the Stipendiary Stewards, from any horse whether placed or unplaced that they, for example, feel ran poorly or better than expected.

During the last season the NHA’s Laboratory tested some 4 800 specimens of which 8 tested positive for a prohibited substance, one of which was an anabolic steroid.
 
The Laboratory plays an important role in maintaining the integrity of racing by monitoring prohibited substances in racehorses. Effective screening of urine and blood (plasma) specimens is undertaken according to the Rules of The National Horseracing Authority and international quality and racing analysis standards. The range of drugs and other prohibited substances which require screening incorporates an extensive list of compounds which could affect the horse both positively and negatively. 
 
The international memberships and affiliations of the NHA and the Laboratory are important in ensuring that there is compliance with the rules and guidelines of international horseracing bodies. These include the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Association of Official Racing Chemists (AORC) and the Asian Racing Federation (ARF). There is constant alignment on aspects such as screening policies, analytical techniques, methodologies and criteria for the confirmation of prohibited substances.  Annually, the Laboratory participates in the AORC proficiency testing programme.  This programme monitors our compliance with the recommended international screening standards as set by the AORC. During 2011 the Laboratory again achieved a 100% score which serves to prove our commitment to operate at a world class standard.
 
The foundations to build the quality of the Laboratory started with the implementation of a quality standard during 1994.  The assessment by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) during March 2011 confirmed compliance with the increasingly more stringent ISO/IEC 17025 quality guidelines.  In addition to AORC external proficiency testing, an internal programme is enforced by our quality standard to monitor our screening standards.
 
Our high scientific standard of research and development has established much expertise in both the horseracing forensic and the mass spectrometric analysis fields.  As an internationally recognised horseracing laboratory we act as a positive analysis confirmatory facility for several overseas racing jurisdictions.
 
Over the past 10 years the Laboratory has found 8 positives for anabolic steroids.  Of these, 2 were for Stanozolol, 1 for Methandriol and 5 were for levels of Testosterone in excess of the international threshold.  Both Stanozolol positives arose from samples taken from horses trained by Mr F J Roux who was warned off as a result of these positives together with two earlier positives in a period of two years.
 
All five trainers found guilty of Testosterone positives received substantial fines of which the two most recent were R40 000.  The Methandriol positive resulted in the trainer concerned being fined R45 000.
 
As Testosterone is a substance endogenous to the horse, i.e. it is present naturally within the horse, the International Federation in 1996 set an international threshold for Testosterone, which the NHA follows.
 
This threshold is as follows:

·         0.02 microgram free and conjugated testosterone per millilitre in urine from geldings; or
·         0.055 microgram free and conjugated testosterone per millilitre in uring from fillies and mare (unless in foal)
 
and was set after testing some 36 000 geldings, fillies and mares internationally.  These levels ensures that a positive will not be called on naturally occurring levels of Testosterone.
 
Should anybody personally wish to forward a submission on anabolic steroids, we would be happy to receive and consider it.
 
 
Kind Regards

I thank Rob for reply

scotia Wrote:

---

>  
>
> maintaining the integrity of the sport of
> horseracing
>
> Dear Dave
>  
> You asked me to comment on the NHA’s policy
> regarding prohibited substances and, in
> particular, anabolic steroids following many
> posting on our African Betting Clan website.
>  
> I do not intend to respond to each posting but
> will rather deal broadly with the NHA’s policy/
> philosophy on prohibited substances and our
> testing policies and laboratory.
>  
> The NHA, together with some 50 other racing
> countries, is a signatory to Article 6 of the
> International Agreement of the International
> Federation of Horseracing Authorities which deals
> with substances which are prohibited in horses
> participating in thoroughbred horseracing.  All
> of these countries have committed themselves to
> the provisions of Article 6 in that they
> essentially prohibit the presence of any substance
> in a horse during a race which could give that
> horse an advantage or disadvantage.
>  
> The rationale behind this philosophy is that if
> one administers medication to a horse which
> participates in a race:
>  
> -                      the
> horse has no say in the medication administered to
> it;
>  
> -                      the
> horse’s participation in the race could
> aggravate the condition for which it is being
> given medication; and
>  
> -                      the
> horse will, because of the medication, be at an
> advantage or a disadvantage compared to the other
> participants in the race as compared with a
> situation where it participated free of
> medication;
>  
> In other words, racing a horse with medication in
> it constitutes potential:
>  
> -                      abuse
> of the horse;
>  
> -                      unfair
> advantage for the connections; and
>  
> -                      unfair
> disadvantage for punters.
>  
> The NHA has not over the years treated anabolic
> steroids any differently to any other prohibited
> substance.  There will always be divergent points
> of view regarding steroids.  Some, including
> veterinarians, will argue that they should be
> banned whilst others will argue that they have a
> legitimate use for therapeutic purposes to
> facilitate for example recovery from major injury
> or debilitating diseases.
>  
> The NHA requires trainers in terms of the Rules to
> record in a Treatment Register, which is provided
> by the NHA, any preparation which contain a
> prohibited substance administered and/or any
> veterinary treatment to any horse under their
> care.
>  
> The NHA takes samples from the winner of every
> race run in South Africa as well as at random, at
> the discretion of the Stipendiary Stewards, from
> any horse whether placed or unplaced that they,
> for example, feel ran poorly or better than
> expected.
>
> During the last season the NHA’s Laboratory
> tested some 4 800 specimens of which 8 tested
> positive for a prohibited substance, one of which
> was an anabolic steroid.
>  
> The Laboratory plays an important role in
> maintaining the integrity of racing by monitoring
> prohibited substances in racehorses. Effective
> screening of urine and blood (plasma) specimens is
> undertaken according to the Rules of The National
> Horseracing Authority and international quality
> and racing analysis standards. The range of drugs
> and other prohibited substances which require
> screening incorporates an extensive list of
> compounds which could affect the horse both
> positively and negatively. 
>  
> The international memberships and affiliations of
> the NHA and the Laboratory are important in
> ensuring that there is compliance with the rules
> and guidelines of international horseracing
> bodies. These include the International Federation
> of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), the Association
> of Official Racing Chemists (AORC) and the Asian
> Racing Federation (ARF). There is constant
> alignment on aspects such as screening policies,
> analytical techniques, methodologies and criteria
> for the confirmation of prohibited substances. 
> Annually, the Laboratory participates in the AORC
> proficiency testing programme.  This programme
> monitors our compliance with the recommended
> international screening standards as set by the
> AORC. During 2011 the Laboratory again achieved a
> 100% score which serves to prove our commitment to
> operate at a world class standard.
>  
> The foundations to build the quality of the
> Laboratory started with the implementation of a
> quality standard during 1994.  The assessment by
> the South African National Accreditation System
> (SANAS) during March 2011 confirmed compliance
> with the increasingly more stringent ISO/IEC 17025
> quality guidelines.  In addition to AORC external
> proficiency testing, an internal programme is
> enforced by our quality standard to monitor our
> screening standards.
>  
> Our high scientific standard of research and
> development has established much expertise in both
> the horseracing forensic and the mass
> spectrometric analysis fields.  As an
> internationally recognised horseracing laboratory
> we act as a positive analysis confirmatory
> facility for several overseas racing
> jurisdictions.
>  
> Over the past 10 years the Laboratory has found 8
> positives for anabolic steroids.  Of these, 2
> were for Stanozolol, 1 for Methandriol and 5 were
> for levels of Testosterone in excess of the
> international threshold.  Both Stanozolol
> positives arose from samples taken from horses
> trained by Mr F J Roux who was warned off as a
> result of these positives together with two
> earlier positives in a period of two years.
>  
> All five trainers found guilty of Testosterone
> positives received substantial fines of which the
> two most recent were R40 000.  The Methandriol
> positive resulted in the trainer concerned being
> fined R45 000.
>  
> As Testosterone is a substance endogenous to the
> horse, i.e. it is present naturally within the
> horse, the International Federation in 1996 set an
> international threshold for Testosterone, which
> the NHA follows.
>  
> This threshold is as follows:
>
> ·         0.02 microgram free and
> conjugated testosterone per millilitre in urine
> from geldings; or
> ·         0.055 microgram free and
> conjugated testosterone per millilitre in uring
> from fillies and mare (unless in foal)
>  
> and was set after testing some 36 000 geldings,
> fillies and mares internationally.  These levels
> ensures that a positive will not be called on
> naturally occurring levels of Testosterone.
>  
> Should anybody personally wish to forward a
> submission on anabolic steroids, we would be happy
> to receive and consider it.
>  
>  
> Kind Regards


Thanks for "a" reply

Guys, I used to run a lab that tested for plant seed quality and I want to say to you that this report is convincing from the viewpoint of my experience. Obviously I was never in this particular lab but I have to tell you that those annual checkups are stringent and you've got to be on song to pass them.

Most convincing for me is the fact that this lab is used internationally to double-check other labs' results. You've got to have a good track record over many years to be asked to do this. I was working towards this prestigious outcome for my own lab in my own field!

Take it from me ... or not if you prefer ... it's your choice ... but we are fortunate in today's climate of poor workmanship and low standards, to have a lab of this quality to keep our racing clean.

Muhtiman Wrote:

---

> Steriods are here to stay as there is no control
> on medications used in training...yes one can
> train and build (pump up) horses with steriods
> that are not illegal to use in training and then
> ween off steriods and start supplimenting with
> other non steroidal and legal muscle toners a few
> weeks before a race.This will ensure that steriods
> are not found as they are not legal for racing. I
> have been rather niave in the past by debating
> that it was not as widespread in our racing....
> but now I'm beginning to see the patterns.....

....Us older folk who are flexible in our thinking, will no longer be looking for that 3rd Run after Rest....it's the 1st run when fresh..

This is such a difficult topic to dissect. It's not easy to be dogmatic on it, either way. Ultimately, though, all drugs have their place and purpose in Racing, for the benefit of the Equine Athlete. Anabolic Steroids , including Testan also refer.

The problem lies in the fine line which seperates actual treatment of a horse through medication and racing a horse on medication. There is a big difference between the two. Let's take Testosterone or an Androgenic Steroid like Testan. Why is it on the Market and why do Vets have or use it ?

Here's a possible example. You should all know Oscar's horse MJ Thriller. This horse contracted Enteritis and went through an extremely harsh period, as he fought his way through this life threatening disease. He is still recovering and has a long, long way to go. As he stands right now, some 40kg lighter than his normal racing weight and condition, he will be brought on very carefully and gently. However, at some point (probably in 5 months time), I will ask Oscar for permission to administer a course of Anabolic Steroids to him, in order to assist him in getting back to his normal Racing condition. From there, I arrange with my Vet, who would then administer the Testan, over a period.(probably 1 ml per week for 4 weeks). All will be recorded in my Veterinary Register, for inspection by NHRA. The Vet will ensure that the correct period has well passed, before the horse runs, by advising myself of such. This whole process is completely legal and is a logical or reasonable procedure. The course of Testan would have been completed very long before the horse races. The intention and usage of that drug was as intended by the manufacturer of the drug and the drug was not abused and was administered by a qualified, competent Vet.


But, where the "other" side of it all could comes in, is a situation in which I then run the horse earlier than agreed with the Vet or if I then illegally get hold of a bottle of Testan and start giving larger doses or try to race on the Testan. Now that's wrong, it's criminal.

Again, when gelding a horse, Testan is a useful drug in some cases. There are only two reasons to geld a horse. These are conformational and attitude. A horse with suspect or high risk (of injury) type legs and who becomes "heavy" in his action or who is getting far too heavy in front, will be better off being gelded, so that he can stand up to Training and achieve his potential. A horse who is very coltish and who is refusing to concentrate or is so coltish that he could end up injuring himself is also better served by being gelded. In some cases (a very small percentage of cases- I guess about 1 in 30 horses), horses are assisted through the gelding process, by Testan. The only time when this would be done is when a sudden removal of testosterone would knock the particular horse badly, eg an older horse.

Again, you cant go and bang a 5yo gelding , which was gelded 3 years ago, full of Testan and try to Race on it.

Because, if you do this, the NHRA WILL CATCH YOU and you will pay the fines. Nowadays, there is zero tolerance from NHRA and the days of repeat offenders are long gone, Nhra will very quickly warn that Trainer off.

I am of the opinion that we are very strictly controlled and monitored in SA Racing. Nowadays, the miniscule amount of positives which are found in SA Racing shows that we are all very reasonable/careful/afraid to be caught and that our Racing is, in fact, very clean.

But hey, there will always be some conspiracy theorists out there, who will dissagree with me. That's life. It is also good to bear in mind that there are many very modern and excellent supplements out there which are clean and legal and which offer very similar benefits to the 20 year old Steroids, in terms of bulking up your horse. These you simply add to the feed.

But then again, with today's feeds, the problem is getting the weight OFF the horse. Putting it on is easy. Overwork the horse and you will then probably need Steroids....but also lots of painkillers for the legs....and some tranquilisers for your 5yo gelding who is walking around on 5 legs....

....In recent weeks nearly every winner has, according to the stipes reports, specimens taken for analysis....:)o....where there is
smoke, they'll be looking for the fire.....