Queensland stewards rule Regu-Mate's not an anabolic steroid

Queensland stewards rule Regu-Mate's not an anabolic

steroid

Queensland stewards have deemed, based on veterinary advice, that Regu-Mate

is not an anabolic steroid, bringing to a close a saga that put a yearling

purchased at last month's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale under the

threat of a racing ban after testing positive for the medication.

As part of random testing conducted prior to the sale by Racing Queensland of

20 percent of the yearlings offered, the unidentified colt was found to have

altrenogest, a product found in Regu-Mate, in his system. When anabolic steroid

reforms were made in Australia last May, Regu-Mate -- which regulates cycles and

helps maintain pregnancies in fillies and mares -- was placed on the banned list

for colts by the Australian Racing Board, but many argued the substance is not

an anabolic steroid, and is used on stud farms and at sales for colts to aid in

modifying studish behavior.

Racing Queensland's General Manager of Stewards and Integrity Operations Wade

Birch said the decision was made after consultation with veterinary experts and

the examination of an Australian Racing Board notice containing lists of

substances prohibited by the new rules.

"Upon considering veterinary advice and the Australian Racing Board notice,

stewards determined that altrenogest is not an anabolic androgenic steroid, and

is therefore not prohibited in male horses if present in a sample taken out of

competition," Birch said. "Despite having a similar chemical structure to an

anabolic androgenic steroid, the advice we received satisfies us that

altrenogest does not have a similar biological effect. Accordingly, no bans will

be imposed on the colt in question."

TBA Chief Executive Tom Reilly said yesterday's decision marked a victory for

"common sense."

"Breeders supported the introduction of the ban on steroids and this decision

will provide the industry with much needed certainty around that rule," he said.

"It also marks a triumph for common sense, as there seemed to be little, if any,

scientific research or veterinary opinion which pointed to altrenogest being a

steroid. We look forward to working with the ARB in a consultative manner to

ensure there are no further areas of confusion arising out of the ban on

steroids."

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