It was informed this week that the New York State Racing and Wagering Board has decided to conduct surprise drug tests to all the racehorses competing in the state, even when they are away from its racetracks. These new rules will apply to all horses within 180 days of a race in New York.

According to Board Chairman John D. Sabini the out-of-competition regulations will be effective as of Friday. “The new rules allow the Board to order state licensed owners and trainers to bring their horses to New York for drug testing when the racehorses are stabled out of the state within a 100-mile radius of a racetrack in New York,” Sabini explained.

Recent scandals involving the use of illegal drugs, misuse of legal medications and negligence have prompted the Board and the New York Racing Association to come up with new and tighter practices and punishments. Sabini has explained that the aggressive move is due to the fact that the sport had a drug problem and it was necessary to recover its integrity.

“Horses are sometimes drugged by unscrupulous individuals seeking to either strengthen or weaken their performance in the next race,” Chairman Sabini commented. “These new rules give us the tools we need to go after the cheaters. The board is protecting wagers and the health and safety of horses competing at New York’s tracks.”

According to the new regulations, the Board can send notices to trainers and owners and require them to allow its veterinarians to take samples from their horses. If a horse trainer or an owner refuses to comply with the request, the Board will issue sanctions, suspensions, fines and even license revocations.

The tests to be conducted by the Board will include the detection of prohibited substances like blood-doping agents, protein and peptide based drugs, including toxins and venoms and doping agents. If a horse is not made available for testing properly, the horse can be banned from racing for as much as 120 days.

“The overwhelming majority of owners and trainers are meticulous in abiding by our medication rules, but there are some who deviate and apparently believe they can lessen their chances of getting caught by drugging a horse away from the tracks,” Chairman Sabini commented.