Dubai World Cup-winning trainers join effort to halt furosemide use in US racing

Medication allowed in United States on racedays but banned in every other major racing jurisdiction

Trainer Graham Motion, pictured in April 2013 with Animal Kingdom at Kingsdown Stables in Lambourn, England, is among those attempting to get furosemide banned from use in US horse racing. Courtesy GeShow more

Four Dubai World Cup-winning trainers were among a group of 25 leading handlers who broke cover on Friday in an attempt to end the use of furosemide in American racing.

More commonly known as Lasix, furosemide is a diuretic and acts as an anti-bleeding medication. It is allowed to be administered on race days in America but is banned in every other major racing jurisdiction.

Graham Motion, Kiaran McLaughlin, Richard Mandella and Bill Mott joined fellow Godolphin USA trainers Eoin Harty and Thomas Albertrani.

Other prominent trainers involved in the move are Todd Pletcher, who saddled Palace Malice in the Whitney Handicap overnight, and Hall Of Fame handler D Wayne Lukas.

The group proposed the gradual elimination of raceday medication in the United States. Under the proposal, no juveniles would receive raceday medication from 2015 and no horses of any age would receive raceday medication beginning in 2016.

“The medication issue is definitely something that needs to be dealt with and if we can get something done nationally, even better,” Motion told Thoroughbred Daily News.

The Breeders’ Cup introduced a ban on medication for juveniles in 2012, with the intention of going drug-free last year, but caved to pressure a year ago.

Breeders’ Cup chairman Bill Farish backed the group.

“We want to acknowledge and applaud the courage of the trainers who have recently pledged their support for the gradual elimination of the use of authorised medications on race day in the United States,” he said in a statement.

“The Breeders’ Cup has long advocated for policies that would bring the US in line with other major international racing jurisdictions, and we fully support this group of prominent trainers.”

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