Darley COO Tait resigns from Breeders' Cup board over Lasix issue

Darley COO Tait resigns from Breeders' Cup board over Lasix

issue

Oliver Tait, Darley's chief operating officer, has resigned from the

Breeders' Cup board of directors over its recent reversal regarding the ban on

the administration of Lasix during the 2013 World Championships.

Tait explained his decision in the following statement released Sunday by

Darley:

"The Breeders' Cup has reversed its previously agreed and

stated position that the 2013 Breeders' Cup World Championships will be

conducted without Lasix. As a consequence, I have resigned from the board of the

Breeders' Cup.

"Board members voted March 1 to not expand its prohibition

of Salix to additional championship races this year but opted to continue last

year's policy of banning the diuretic in only juvenile races. Breeders' Cup had

planned to expand a ban on race-day furosemide, also called Salix or Lasix, to

all of its races in 2013, but board members voted to maintain the 2012 policy.

That policy prohibits Salix use in Breeders' Cup races for two-year-olds but

allows it in all other races.

"Sheikh Mohammed, Darley's principal, has been one of the biggest

players in American racing for the last 30 years. His

vision for the sport in America is a future where racing is enjoyed and admired

by a new generation of participants and enthusiasts. A true world championship,

to be enjoyed and admired by all, needs to be medication free.

"Progress is being made in all sports around the world in

relation to drugs. This is not progress. The Breeders' Cup is a leader of this

sport, and I was extremely proud to serve on its board. Having rightly and

boldly chosen to lead the way on the issue of drugs in racing in 2011, it has

now stepped back in time. I hope that in the near future it can lead again."

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