General Assembly & 42nd International Conference

6 October 2008

Safety and Public Image of Racing in AsiaWilliam A Nader

Objectives of Doping Control Minimize the number of violations resulting from the deterrent of a highly effective and well respected

medication control program.

Protect Integrity and Public Image Ensure competition is conducted under equal terms. Enhance confidence and interest of the sport and its participants. Protect the integrity of the wager.

Protect the Industry Protect the livelihood of the people involved (riders, trainers, breeders, owners, etc.). Protect the welfare of the horses involved (prevent possible abuse; identify and remove any artificially inflated

value of horses).

Comparison of Positive Findings in the Past 7 Seasons (2000-2007):

• Post-race horse urine “A” samples from Hong Kong: 9 violations from 13,930 samples or 0.06%

• Post-race horse urine “A” samples from elsewhere but analysed in Hong Kong with the same tests: 173 violations from 5,424 samples or 3.2%

• Horseracing world average (IFHA data reported by 40-48 countries for 2000 - 2006): 0.25%

• FEI “A” samples from Asian countries (May 2001 to Apr 2008) and analysed in Hong Kong: 21 of the 301 horses tested positive (7.0%); 15 of the 160 urine samples tested positive (9.4%)

• FEI “A” samples from the Medication Control Program in Europe (2001 - 2007): 1.1% - 4.6% of the horses tested positive annually (average 2.8% positive from 10,969 horses tested in 7 years)

Stewards Incident Report

When the horses were marshalled in the sand yard prior to proceeding to the saddling stalls, DIDI became fractious and on two occasions broke free of its handler. DIDI was examined by the Veterinary Officer who said in his opinion it was suitable to race. DIDI, which was fractious in its barriers, bounded in the air at the start. VICTORY MASCOT and BIG PROFIT began awkwardly. SUPER FAMILY bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. With the intention of being ridden quietly from the outside barrier, STAREILLY was taken back in the early stages. Making the turn at the 800 Metres, SUPER FAMILY was steadied when awkwardly placed inside the heels of STAREILLY. Near the 500 Metres, SUPER FAMILY became unbalanced. Throughout the race, LIONS’ FORTUNE travelled wide and without cover. The performance of SUPER FAMILY, which finished tailed out, was considered unacceptable. Before being allowed to race again, SUPER FAMILY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. When questioned regarding the poor performance of SPICY FRUITY, B Prebble said he had ridden the horse which is well-known to him in track work in preparation for today’s race and in his opinion this work had been good. He said SPICY FRUITY appeared normal in its action during the preliminary prior to today’s race. He said SPICY FRUITY began only fairly and at no stage of the race stretched out as he thought it should. He said he was concerned with the action of SPICY FRUITY in the early stages of the race and considered easing his mount out of the race, however, elected not to do so. He said SPICY FRUITY did not respond when placed under pressure prior to the 600 Metres and then in the early part of the Straight SPICY FRUITY continued to give him no response and because of this he looked down at the horse’s legs on several occasions. Mr C H Yip, trainer of SPICY FRUITY, said the horse was strongly fancied by the stable in today’s race on the strength of its recent good track work. He was not able to offer any explanation for the performance of the horse. SPICY FRUITY was sent for an official veterinary inspection and sampling. A veterinary inspection of SPICY FRUITY after the race did not show any significant findings. Before being allowed to race again, SPICY FRUITY will be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official barrier trial and be subjected to an official veterinary examination. LIONS’ FORTUNE was sent for an official veterinary inspection. A veterinary inspection of LIONS’ FORTUNE after the race did not show any significant findings. LUCKY QUALITY and SPLENDID SAILS were sent for sampling.

Veterinary Records of Declared Starters

Race No. Horse Name Brand No. Date Details Passed On

Race 3

5BIG KAHUNA G177 29/05/2008

Lame right fore on the morning after racing.

19/08/2008

7MAGIC TURBO J98 28/06/2008

Substantial blood in the trachea after track work.

26/08/2008

Race 4

7 SAMMY'S FORTUNE H204 09/04/2008 Lame left fore foot. 09/05/2008

11 SPEED OF LIGHT C333 04/06/2008 Lame left fore. 18/09/2008

Race 5

1 FRIENDSHIP E66 23/05/2008 Lame right fore. 26/08/2008

Race 6

9 VERY FIT E71 20/05/2008 Throat surgery. 05/09/2008

Official Veterinary Examination Procedures and Common Vet Problems1. When is an Official Veterinary Examination requirement issued to a racehorse? An OVE is issued by the Chief Stipendiary Steward or an Official Regulatory Veterinary Officer whenever; A horse returns an unacceptable racing performance that may have been attributable to a veterinary problem. A significant veterinary problem is identified during the examination of a horse sent for a clinical examination after racing. The Veterinary Regulation Department is advised by the Veterinary Clinical Department of the diagnosis of a significant injury or medical condition in a horse.

2. Why are Official Veterinary Examination requirements issued? OVEs are issued to, as far as possible, ensure that; Unacceptable racing performances are investigated so that any veterinary problem that may have contributed to the poor racing performance may be identified and treated if possible. A horse identified as suffering from a condition that may impact on its racing performance has that condition investigated, treated and that the horse demonstrates its suitability to race to the satisfaction of an Officer of the Veterinary Regulation Department.

Veterinary Records DatabaseBrand No. Horse Name Date Details Passed On

A367 KIMBERLEY MINES 30/10/2004 Both fore tendon injuries. 03/12/2004

20/04/2005 Left fore tendon injury. 17/01/2006

A381 CHOICE AND CHANCE 26/12/2005 Lame right fore at start, withdrawn from race. 04/01/2006

09/03/2006 Both fore fetlocks "jarred up". 01/09/2006

06/04/2006Lame right hind: scintigraphic "hot spot" right hind cannon.

01/09/2006

B105 KING OF FISH 12/1/2005Found to be sweating, box-walking and distressed in the holding stalls, withdrawn.

18/1/2005

B189 SALUT BEAUTE 19/12/2006 Respiratory disease. 09/01/2007

C068 NASA PEARL 05/02/2006 Heart irregularity after racing. 07/03/2006

D178 LUCKY CHAMPION 03/05/2006 Unacceptable performance. 25/08/2006

E104 SIMPLY THE BEST 05/03/2008

After arriving at the start rider expressed concern over the horse's action during the preliminary, examined and passed suitable to race by vet, rider not willing to ride and was withdrawn by order of the Stewards.

11/03/2008

The Hong Kong Jockey Club Injury Comprehensive Minimization System

Excellent, well maintained training and racing surfaces.

Comprehensive racing and training injury reporting systems.

Conservative and robustly enforced medication and prohibited substance control policies.

Excellent veterinary clinical services.

Sensible race-day farrier policies.

Strong veterinary regulation system.

Regulatory access to all horse's veterinary medical records.

Comprehensive veterinary suitability to race management systems, including OVE for clearance to race after injury, illness or poor racing performances and pre-race veterinary inspections.

Track-work monitoring systems with data accessible via the Jockey Club website.

Pre-import veterinary examinations to determine suitability for use as a racehorse.