Your Responsibility to be Familiar with CPMA Elimination Guidelines and Medications Regulated in Official Workout and Qualifier Testing

Attention: Owners, Trainers, Licensed Veterinarians

Regulated Substances with CPMA Elimination Guidelines

As of January 1, 2024, horses participating in Official Workouts and Qualifiers must not test positive for the following categories of medications that have a Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency (CPMA) Elimination Guideline:

Analgesic: A drug that relieves pain
Anti-inflammatory: A drug that relieves local swelling, redness and pain caused by an injury or infection
Local Anaesthetic (Anesthetic): A drug producing reduced sensations (e.g., touch, pain) in a restricted area of the body
Non-steroidal Anti-Inflammatory (NSAID): Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.
Corticosteroid: A drug producing an action similar to that of a steroid hormone of the adrenal cortex, but which is chemically distinguishable from natural hormones

These medications can mask pain associated with injuries and/or have been tied to an increased risk of injuries and fatalities. The restrictions on these medications are aimed at protecting horses and ensuring they are only training at high speeds when they are well enough to do so.

The following information provides additional clarity on TB Rule 15.40.01 and SB Rule 6.54.01 testing requirements, examples of regulated substances not included in the CPMA Elimination Guidelines but falling under the restricted categories (mentioned above), and guidance on navigating the CPMA Elimination Guidelines website.

Note: All horse racing licensees - especially trainers, owners, and veterinarians - should be knowledgeable about the CPMA Equine Drug Control Program and how to use some approved medications without incurring a positive test as outlined in the CPMA Elimination Guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, warnings related to compounded medications, and co-administration of medications (Elimination Guidelines 2020 - General Warnings - agriculture.canada.ca) and reviewing any changes to the policy and legislation governing pari-mutuel betting and the CPMA Equine Drug Control Program.

All AGCO licensees are expected to stay up to date with the Rules of Racing.

Regulated Substances without CPMA Elimination Guidelines

Regulated: Medications with properties of the above restricted categories that do not have a CPMA Elimination Guideline.
- Examples: Celecoxib, Robenacoxib, Mavacoxib.

Additional Medication Information

Regulated: Topical preparations (including heel creams) and throat washes containing substances that fall into the above restricted categories.
Regulated: Products with even one medication or substance that falls into the above restricted categories.
- Example: Naquasone (available as a compounded formulation) containing Trichlormethiazide and Dexamethasone. Trichlormethiazide is not regulated as a diuretic, but Dexamethasone is regulated as a corticosteroid, so the entire product is regulated.
Requirement: Procaine penicillin can be administered before an Official Workout or Qualifier in the same manner as it can be administered before a race. For a race, submitting a procaine slip may be required. For a Workout or a Qualifier, submitting a procaine slip will not be required.
Requirement: Labeling of dispensed medications by Licensed Veterinarians in accordance with these rules is required.
Requirement: Consult with your Licensed Veterinarian when considering whether to administer medications.

Horse Selection and Notification Process

If a horse is selected for testing following an Official Workout or Qualifier, an AGCO or an official representative (ie. Official Veterinarian) will notify the licensee (trainer, assistant trainer, exercise rider, jockey, driver, groom) before the horse returns to their stall in the paddock or barn.

Additionally:
- Standardbred horses selected for testing will be notified by the starter after the qualifying race before their return to the paddock.
- Thoroughbred or Quarter horses selected for testing will be notified before the horse returns to the stable. In most circumstances, this notification will occur through two methods, such as notification at the gap and by overhead announcement.
If the horse selected for testing after a Workout or Qualifier experiences a medical emergency, the horse may be examined and treated by a Licensed Veterinarian.
- For Standardbred horses, the Licensed Veterinarian or trainer must contact the AGCO Race Officials immediately afterward.
- For Thoroughbred or Quarter horses, the Licensed Veterinarian or trainer must contact the AGCO immediately afterward via the person who informed them of the selection or email vetclerks@agco.ca.

Navigating the CPMA Elimination Guidelines Website

The categorization of medications and substances are clearly identified within the CPMA Elimination Guidelines, under the Type of Drug heading. Licensees should refer to the Type of Drug and EG sections under each medication.

Note: Medications and substances with properties of an analgesic, anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic (anesthetic), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID), or corticosteroid but are not currently listed in the CPMA Elimination Guidelines will be subject to these rules. 