A new condition of sale will be a part of Keeneland's September Yearling Sale. It was established in response to the British Horseracing Authority's zero tolerance for anabolic steroids and other prohibited substances. Keeneland Director of Sales Geoffrey Russell says the Lexington track has had a testing program in place for seven years. "Obviously there was a concern fromthe BHA because they have initiated this policy,” said Russell. “Since we introduced our anabolic steroid testing, we have never had a positive."
Other countries with similar anti-doping policies are France, Germany, Ireland and Sweden. Russell says the change will mean one test, instead of two. "To get the horse into England it has to be tested eventually,” Russell said. “So they might as well do it here, understanding the fact that should it be positive, they have the right to return the horse."
Keeneland implemented a policy in 2008 regarding testing for anabolic steroids in yearlings sold at auction. Since then, no horse has tested positive. Russell says the rule pertains to yearling and horses in training.?
