Auctions study tests for steroids, By: Gregory A. Hall
Sept. 16, 2007
2 Kentucky firms consider change amid perception of abuse in horses
LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The two major thoroughbred auction companies in Kentucky are moving toward allowing buyers to have their purchases tested for the use of steroids, possibly as soon as next year.
As in their human counterparts, steroids can be administered to make horses appear stronger and more athletic for a period, which can boost their value at a sale. The prevalence of abuse, however, is unclear.
"Regardless if it's reality, there is a perception; and if it is of great concern to buyers we need to address it, so we intend to do that," said Geoffrey Russell, Keeneland's sales director.
Russell said he expects the policy to be in place next year.
Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton's executive vice president and chief operating officer, said steroid testing will be implemented by his Lexington-based company but the policy may not be ready in time for next year.
The policy initially would be for Kentucky, but would likely expand to other states where Fasig-Tipton conducts sales, Browning said. The Keeneland sales are all held in Lexington.
The first step toward that testing is taking place at this year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale, which started Monday and continues through Sept. 25.
Samples are being taken from some yearlings in an effort to establish levels of normally occurring steroids.
Ethics and disclosure issues in thoroughbred sales have taken on a higher profile in recent years, fueled in part by lawsuits alleging fraud in past sales.
Included in those debates among consignors, buyers and sales companies is the steroids issue.
The topic is also being discussed in racing, where more regulators, including Kentucky's, are looking at restricting the use of anabolic steroids.
"It's an issue only when it's abused, but I think public perception thinks otherwise," said retired veterinarian Gary Lavin, who is a Keeneland director and sales horse inspector.
Lavin said he believes the use is "not anywhere near the extent that people believe."
Therapeutic use after surgery and illnesses can be beneficial, he said. "People can abuse Advil."
Lavin said he'd like to see the testing option to either prove or disprove the suspicions.
Dan Rosenberg, president of Three Chimneys Farm, said he supports the testing.
"Whether it's reality or perception, if you're doing it you should say you're doing it, and it should be out there," he said. "And if you say you're not, and you are, you ought to be caught."
British bloodstock agent Charlie Gordon-Watson, who purchased 2003 Epsom Derby winner Kris Kin at the Keeneland September sale, said he believes the testing could be "counterproductive" since a buyer's money would be tied up.
"I think after a while, when you've been coming here many times, you just begin to learn your way around and where to go and not to go," he said.
Fasig-Tipton spokesman Terence Collier said current issues with a horse being masked are a concern. But the industry is grappling with full disclosure -- drawing an analogy of the situation to whether a college football coach needs to know an athlete's full medical record back to when he had chickenpox as a child.
It's doubtful that would be useful information, he said. "That's what the industry is struggling with."
