Drugging of the Horse Racing Industry Raises Safety Concerns

Recent discussions about the widespread use of drugs during horse track work in Australia have raised concerns about the Horse Racing Industry, prompting calls for stricter regulations to protect horse welfare, rider safety, and industry integrity. Workers considered administering these sedatives to horses just before track work creates serious riding risks for riders and horses alike.

Horse racing industry workers from New South Wales, Western Australia, and Victoria, as well as the ACT, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, reported that some trainers routinely tranquilize their horses, particularly with Acepromazine, for behavioral control and cost-cutting purposes.

Acepromazine, which is often known as “ace”, is a prescription sedative that calms nervous or excitable horses, usually by way of transportation or veterinary procedure. This drug is available as an oral paste and by injection. It is not illegal for certain applications; however, the use of such in track work creates ethical and safety issues.

Racing Australia chief executive Paul Eriksson stated that the organization had “recently become aware” of acepromazine’s use for track work. While the authority has begun collecting data, Eriksson noted that it had not received formal complaints about the issue.

Despite this, concerns continue to grow among Horse racing industry workers who say some trainers are misusing the sedative. International guidelines suggest horses should not be ridden within 36 hours of receiving the drug, yet Australian workers report seeing it used frequently.

One worker from regional Victoria described the situation as an accident waiting to happen. She explained that administering acepromazine to horses before track work significantly increases the risk of falls and injuries.

“It’s just too dangerous. These horses can become uncoordinated, and when you’re riding one that’s nearly tripping with every step, it’s terrifying,” she said.

Another worker from the same region expressed frustration over the lack of regulation. She believes that if a horse requires sedation to go on the track, it should not be worked at all.

“If a horse needs to be sedated to go out on the track, then it shouldn’t be out there,” she said. “It’s too risky for the horse, the rider, and anyone else on the track at the time.”

A track rider with two decades of experience across New South Wales and the ACT echoed these concerns. She admitted to riding many sedated horses and described how unsettling the experience could be.

“I’ve ridden horses that are nearly going to fall over with every stride,” she said. “You can feel when they’ve had too much [acepromazine], and it’s not safe.”

Some trainers, no doubt, will argue that using sedatives makes working and handling horses easy; however, many workers believe this is but a convenient shortcut that places convenience above welfare. Hence, the reliance on sedatives or tranquillisers relates to controlling excitable horses instead of good training and management methods. This raises perennial concerns.

While the use of acepromazine is not expressly declared illegal in Australian racing, it is generally captured within the Australian Rules of Racing conditions prohibiting substances that may affect a horse’s performance or safety. Enforcement would probably face difficulties, though, given the absence of tests for acepromazine during track work.

Horse racing industry professionals are urging racing authorities to implement stricter oversight and enforcement. Many believe Racing Australia and state racing bodies need to take action before a serious accident occurs.

Workers suggest that mandatory drug testing for horses before track work, as well as stronger penalties for those found misusing sedatives, could help prevent misuse.

“There should be more control,” the worker said. “There are trainers out there doing the right thing. However, they must compete with the trainers who are taking the shortcut in winning races by drugging their horses.”

At present, tranquilliser use in horse racing raises safety for both the horse and the rider. Most workers are now taking the side of voicing their opinions against tranquilliser hazards and demanding corrective measures from the officials. Heavy reliance on tranquilising agents during training indicates an even bigger problem in the horse racing industry, where performance often clashes with safety. With growing awareness, professionals in the horse racing industry are now campaigning for tighter regulations to prevent the misuse of tranquillising agents and foster ethical practice in racing.