Looking at the new national regulator’s first public disclosure of the race’s anti-doping and drug regulation efforts is an immediate reminder that some things have changed under the Welfare Unit. & Horseracing Integrity when compared to state oversight.
HIWU’s first public disclosure posted on June 13 alleges that on June 2, trainer Jeffrey Poole was in possession of the banned substance Levothyroxine (Thyro-L). A temporary suspension has been imposed pending a final resolution.
Levothyroxine is a synthetic version of thyroxine (levothyroxine sodium), a prescription medication used to treat hypothyroidism.
Although the specifics of this case are still not fully known, the Equestrian Practitioners Association and the American Association of Racing Drugs and Tests in 2020 released a joint paper stating that The prescribing and dispensing of levothyroxine on the basis of herd health to horses with normal thyroid function is not medically justified. In recent years, regulators have restricted the use of the drug in part due to abuse.
BloodHorse did not have contact information available for Poole to respond to the allegation.
The public disclosure does not list where Poole allegedly possessed Levothyroxine. He regularly races at Gulfstream Parkwhere he has two horses starting June 11th.
“The ADMC Program’s public disclosure rules require the reporting of specific information regarding pending cases, all of which are available on the website,” a HIWU spokesperson said when asked. inquired about the location of the alleged violation, noting that location “wasn’t included in the information needed to be reported.”
HIWU’s public notice alleges that Poole violated rule 3214, part a, which reads: “Other anti-doping rule violations involving prohibited substances or prohibited methods, and the following omission constitutes an Anti-Doping Violation by the insured person(s) in question: (a) possession of a prohibited substance or prohibited method, unless there is a compelling reason for such possession .”
HIWU was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Drug Safety and Integrity Authority’s anti-doping and drug control program in horse racing. HIWU resumed operations on May 22, transitioning to a phase of monitoring that was previously carried out from state to state.
What are some differences in this first finding from typical state findings? Compared with the majority of state findings, the first HIWU finding was not based on post-race drug testing. In addition, it carries a temporary suspension. Under the temporary suspension, the insured, in this case Poole, will not be able to participate in racing until the case is resolved.
In a June 9 press conference outlining HIWU procedures and protocols, HIWU executive director Ben Mossier said a temporary suspension would be imposed when there are allegations of involvement in prohibited substances. Allegations involving controlled drugs will not be subject to a temporary suspension.
Poole, who started training horses in 1989, this year has a 3-9-3 record from 41 starts and earns $82,730.
HIWU on Tuesday declined to comment further on the public disclosure.
