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Information for Trainers of horses outside Britain
Some frequently asked questions
Medication and Doping Control Rules
The British Horseracing Authority is the sport's governing and regulatory body in Great Britain and encourages international participation in British Racing.
The Authority's Rules of Racing lay out that international visiting horses racing under BHA Rules do so on equal terms with each other and resident British horses, that is to race free from the effects of drugs, either medication or other substances.
Key points for trainers of horses visiting to race in Great Britain to note are:
- The Authority recognises the need for use of veterinary medications in training for the health and welfare of horses. All such use much be recorded in a prescribed format for inspection at any time.
- However, no horse may race under the effect of any substance, or any substance that might affect performance; as such veterinary medications must be withdrawn for an appropriate period before racing.
- There are no 'lists' of such prohibited substances, instead we regulate by the effect of any substance (see below)
- 'Natural' products, including herbal products, are considered prohibited substances
- Only normal food and water, offered by mouth, may be given on racedays
- Only normal food and water may be bought in racecourse stables
- Permission must be requested to bring any other substance or items to administer any substance into racecourse stables
- Anabolic steroids, peptide hormones or analogues, or ß2 adrenoceptor stimulants (except when prescribed by a Veterinary Surgeon) can never be used at any time in training or racing in Great Britain.
- Certain devices, manipulations and non-drug treatments are also prohibited on racedays
- The importation of medications not registered and licenced in the United Kingdom is prohibited by law
For clarity, the following are Prohibited Substances under the Rules of Racing: Substances capable at any time of acting on one or more of the following mammalian body systems:
- the nervous system
- the cardiovascular system
- the respiratory system
- the digestive system
- the urinary system
- the reproductive system
- the musculoskeletal system
- the blood system
- the immune system except for licensed vaccines against infectious agents
- the endocrine system
- Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts, Masking agents
Prohibited Substances include:
- Anti-pyretics, analgesics and anti-inflammatory substances
- Cytotoxic substances
- Antihistamines
- Diuretics
- Local anaesthetics
- Muscle relaxants
- Respiratory stimulants
- Sex hormones, anabolic agents and corticosteroids
- Substances affecting blood coagulation
In accordance with the Authority being signatory to Article 6 of the International Federation of Horseracing Authority's International Agreement on Racing, Breeding and Wagering, Prohibited Substances below the following thresholds are not actionable:
- Arsenic - 0.3 microgram total arsenic per millilitre in urine
- Available Carbon Dioxide - 36 millimoles per litre in plasma
- Boldenone - 0.015 microgram free and conjugated Boldenone per millilitre in urine from male horses (other than geldings)
- Dimethyl Sulfoxide - 15 micrograms per millilitre in urine or 1 microgram per millilitre in plasma
- Estranediol in male horses (other than geldings) - 0.045 microgram free and glucuroconjugated 5α-estrane-3ß, 17 α -diol per millilitre in urine.
- Hydrocortisone - 1 microgram per millilitre in urine
- Methoxytyramine - 4 micrograms free and conjugated 3-methoxytyramine per millilitre in urine
- Salicylic Acid - 750 micrograms per millilitre in urine or 6.5 micrograms per millilitre in plasma
- Testosterone - 0.02 microgram free and conjugated testosterone per millilitre in urine from geldings, or 0.055 microgram free and conjugated testosterone per millilitre in urine from gillies and mares (unless in foal)
- Theobromine - 2 micrograms per millilitre in urine
Declaration
Paragraph 28 of Schedule (B)3, part 28 of the Rules of Racing requires that trainers of any horse trained outside Great Britain which is entered for a race must sign a declaration confirming that the horse has not received any substance which is included in Paragraph 3 of Schedule (C)6 , or setting out the details of the administration of any substance referred to in Paragraph 3 of Schedule (C)6. These substances are: anabolic steroids, peptide hormones or analogues, or ß2 adrenoceptor stimulants (except when prescribed by a Veterinary Surgeon), and under Rule(C) 55.1 these substances should not be found in any horse under the care or control of a Trainer at any time.
In practice, due to harmonisation of medication and doping control within Europe the Authority normally applies this requirement only to visiting horses trained outside Europe.
This declaration must be made on this form and this form sent to arrive at least 5 business day before shipping, for the attention of the Disciplinary Department by post, fax or email;
British Horseracing Authority
75 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6LS
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 207 152 0120
Fax: + 44 (0) 207 152 0121
Email: disciplinary@britishhorseracing.com
Pre-shipping and pre-race testing
Prior to shipping it is essential for overseas trainers to contact their transporter or intended destination on arrival to ensure they are fully aware of the health and biosecurity requirements at the location. Horses arriving from outside the EU may not ship direct to a racecourse. In accordance with industry biosecurity guidelines it is recommended that horses arrive, and are kept under observation and with a appropriate degree of separation, 7 days before full mixing with the wider thoroughbred population.
Connections should also note that, as with horses resident in Britain, overseas visiting horses may be sampled at any time whilst in training and both pre- and post-race. Elective testing is also offered at trainer's cost if required. Further information is available under the Elective Testing section on the resources page.
The BHA will facilitate such elective testing in the event of concern about residual medication in their horses prior to shipping and after arrival.
Connections should note that the BHA may also order its own testing of the horse before shipping
Vaccination requirements
All horses must comply with the Rule (E) 18) of the Rules of Racing on vaccination.
Where the horse passport or identity document does not contain records of vaccination, these must be available with the passport or identity document at all times and comply with Rule (E) 19.4 - in that it that the vaccination records include a combined identification and vaccination certificate signed by a Veterinary Surgeon which identifies the horse, states that it has received vaccinations against equine influenza and gives the dates of each vaccination.
To comply to Rule (E) 19.4, the vaccination certificate should comply with the approach of the European requirements and have a record of vaccination that includes identification of the horse:
1. If the passport contains a unique identification number, such as microchip number, Life Number or tattoo, a veterinarian can certify this in this format or equivalent.
2. If the passport does not contains a unique identification a number a veterinarian should certify this in this format or equivalent.
3. These vaccination and identify certifications must be available together with the horse’s passport or identify documents at all times whilst it is in the UK.
There is no requirement for prior review of vaccinations if the records meet the requirements above and provided that full identification of the horse (microchip, life number or tattoo) is available with the vaccination record.
However, if there are questions on vaccination, please consult the information available (this includes an on-line vaccination calculator) and if there are further questions on vaccination records these can be sent for review and approval by the Equine Science and Welfare Department. They must be sent to arrive at least 5 business days before shipping, to the following address:
British Horseracing Authority
75 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6LS
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 207 152 0178
Fax: +44 (0) 20 7152 0171
Email: eswadmin@britishhorseracing.com
Welfare
All horses should be kept and treated in accordance with the Animal Welfare Act, its Codes of Practice, and the Rules (C) 27-36 of the Rules of Racing on horse welfare.
Import of Medicines
- The Authority recognises the need for use of veterinary medications in training for the health and welfare of horses. All such use much be recorded in a prescribed format [Rules (C) 13 of the Rules of Racing] for inspection at any time.
- The importation of medications not registered and licenced in the United Kingdom is prohibited by law and special permission is required.
Advice and information
For up-to-date Rules and further information relating to Medication and Drug Control, connections are strongly advised to refer directly to the BHA's website, or to contact the BHA's Veterinary Adviser (Medication Control):
Lynn Hillyer
Department of Equine Science and Welfare
British Horseracing Authority
75 High Holborn
London
UK
WC1V 6LS
Department: +44 (0) 20 7152 0090
Mobile: +44 (0) 7764 769890
Email: lhillyer@britishhorseracing.com
For up-to-date Rules and further information relating to Rules, connections are strongly advised to refer directly to the BHA's website, or to contact
Disciplinary Department
British Horseracing Authority
75 High Holborn
London
WC1V 6LS
UK
Tel: +44 (0) 207 152 0120
Fax: + 44 (0) 207 152 0121
Email: disciplinary@britishhorseracing.com
Third party information
Whilst the BHA does not endorse any particular third party, connections may wish to be aware of agents who can assist with international movement of horses.:
International Racing Bureau
(please contact the BHA if you wish to add other agent contact information)
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