News

12/5/2007

Barretts Equine Limited joins industry effort
to restrict use of anabolic steroids at Thoroughbred sales

Barretts Equine Limited, the leading Thoroughbred sales company on the West Coast, announced today that it would prohibit the sale of weanlings and yearlings treated with exogenous anabolic steroids within 45 days of a sale, beginning in 2008.  

The policy adjustment, which takes effect in January 2008, is the latest example of an ongoing effort by industry leaders, such as the Kentucky-based Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC) and the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), to address the use of anabolic steroids and other medications among race and sale horses.

“Along with our parent company, the Los Angeles County Fair Association, we support the Thoroughbred industry’s movement toward the regulation of these medications,” said Gerald F. (Jerry) McMahon, president and general manager of Barretts Equine Limited. “We believe these actions are critical steps the industry must take in order to strengthen buyer confidence, as well as the overall integrity of our sport.”

“We look forward to working with Dr. Rick Arthur—who has shown tremendous leadership nationally and in our state as the CHRB equine medical director, and Dr. Scott Stanley—director of the Ken Maddy Laboratory at the University of California at Davis, as we move to implement these rules at future Barretts 2-year-old sales as well.”

The 2008 Barretts January Mixed Sale, scheduled for January 22-23, will be conducted under the previous conditions of sale, which are listed in the catalog and do not specifically address the use of anabolic steroids. Entries for the mixed bloodstock auction closed on November 9.

Beginning with the January sale, Barretts will submit all samples for testing, including the state mandated blood sampling, to the Ken Maddy Laboratory. Previous testing was conducted by Truesdale Laboratories of Tustin, CA.

Barretts Equine Limited conducts six Thoroughbred auctions annually at its Hinds Pavilion and sales complex, located at Fairplex in Pomona, California.  Barretts auctions have produced more than 150 graded stakes winners worldwide, including Eclipse Award Champion Squirtle Squirt, since the company’s inaugural sale was conducted in March 1990.

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Contact:
Gerald F. (Jerry) McMahon
President and General Manager
(909)  629-3099