General Assembly & 42 nd International Conference 6 October 2008 Safety and Public Image of Racing in Asia Willia

1. General Assembly & 42nd International Conference 6 October 2008Safety and Public Image of Racing in AsiaWilliam A Nader

2. 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).

3. Comparison of Positive Findings in the Past 7 Seasons (2000-2007): • Post-racehorseurine “A” samples from Hong Kong: 9 violations from13,930 samples or 0.06% • Post-racehorseurine “A” samples from elsewhere but analysed in Hong Kongwith the same tests: 173 violations from5,424 samples or3.2% • 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)

4. 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.

5. Veterinary Records of Declared Starters

6. Official Veterinary Examination Procedures and Common Vet Problems 1. 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.

7. Veterinary Records Database

8. 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.