Understanding your thoroughbred race day treatment obligations

Industry participants are reminded that it is your responsibility to understand your race day treatment obligations under the rules of racing, otherwise you may face penalties.

For clarity, all medications are prohibited on race day and then there are also treatments that if used by you, require a specific number of ‘clear days’ prior to race day. This depends on the type of treatment administered and veterinary advice to determine the relevant withholding period for each substance. 

One ‘clear day’ means the twenty-four-hour period from 12:01am to midnight prior to race day.

Overall and very importantly, racing animals must be free of any prohibited substances on race day. On race day only normal feeding that the horse voluntarily eats, or drinks is acceptable, and any pre-mixed feed should be given as per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Treatment records must be kept as required by the rules of racing, and these records must be retained for a period of 2 years and made available to Stewards upon request.

Some substances and therapies require clear days before race day, these are:

  • Administration of an intra-articular injection: 8 clear day
  • Shockwave:  7 clear days and must be administered by a qualified veterinarians.
  • Vaccinations: 5 clear days   
  • Injections (including insertion of a hypodermic needle to withdraw blood), administration of alkalinising agents and stomach-tubing: 1 clear day

Physical therapies permitted on race day include:

  • Application of ice/cold water to musculoskeletal structures
  • The application of hoof oils, baby oil and petroleum jelly
  • Shampoos and fly sprays
  • Vibratory massage (e.g. equissage)

Physical therapies not permitted on race day are:

  • Acupuncture (including laser and infra-red treatment Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (tens)
  • Magnetic field therapy
  • Therapeutic ultrasound and any other form of electrical stimulation
  • Topical applications (some may be permitted only with prior approval from Stewards – seek permission)

For further information, please refer to the Commission’s Race Day Treatment guide on the QRIC website to further help you understand your race day treatment obligations.

If you have any concerns or queries in relation to race day treatment, you can also contact the QRIC stewards at stewards@qric.qld.gov.au.