CHRB Takes Hard Line on Horse Steroids - 05-25-08

May 25 - This week, in a bold move to combat the use of illegal steroids in the California horse racing community, the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) approved a motion to reclassify four anabolic steroids as Class 3 drugs.

The reclassification of Class 4 and Class 6 medications to Class 3 drugs, will result in stiffen penalties for steroid violations in California's multi-billion dollar horse racing industry, and hopefully deter guilty trainers from over-drugging their horses.

From July 1st 2008, the four anabolic steroids (testosterone, stanozolol, nandrolone, and boldenone) will only be allowed to appear in trace levels in post-race urine and blood tests, with all other anabolic steroids permanently banned.

Once the new classification is approved by California's administrative bodies, the CHRB will have the authority to order the redistribution of purses as well as issue suspensions and fines to trainers found to be in violation. The existing classification system only allows for fines.

The motion was passed with the aim of making the new regulation public for comment, for 45 days before a meeting at the CHRB on July 17th, where the board is expected to give the new classification their final approval.

California is one of just 10 states in the US that has recently passed new rules regarding the administration and regulation of anabolic steroids in the horse racing industry. Previously, most anabolic steroids were legal to administer to horses in almost all US horse racing jurisdictions.