JCSA 2026 - Medication, Testing & Safety

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES All horses will be subject to testing for “prohibited substances” in accordance with the requirements set out in Article 6 of the International Agreement of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), and as bound by the JCSA Rules of Racing. Horses may be tested for the presence of “prohibited substances” through the routine collection of blood, urine and hair samples at any time, at the direction of JCSA Stewards.

A prohibited substance is considered to be any substance that is capable of acting directly or indirectly on any of the mammalian body systems, consistent with the model definition in Article 6 of the IFHA International Agreement.

Prohibited substances include but are not limited to substances (including their metabolites, isomers, isomers of metabolites and pro-drugs) which fall into any of the categories specified in JCSA rules (Article 119).

The up-to-date JCSA Rules of Racing may be located at the following web link: https://jcsa.sa/en/racing/rules/ The JCSA Officials reserve the right to carry out random inspections of trainer’s tack boxes/trunks/equipment both in international and local quarantine stables.

The JCSA gives notice that the following are prohibited substances: Horsemen are advised to keep updated of all rules and regulations. Please go to the following link for a full breakdown: IFHA Online For the purpose of The Saudi Cup races, the following classifications also apply: Substances prohibited at all times: Substances that have no legitimate justification for use in racehorses at any time under a zerotolerance policy. They include but are not limited to: •

Non-approved substances - any substance not addressed by any of the subsequent classes of substances, and which has no current approval by any government regulatory authority for veterinary use, or any substance not universally recognised by veterinary regulatory authorities as valid veterinary therapeutic treatment.

•

Anabolic agents:

PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES (a) anabolic androgenic steroids (b) other anabolic agents, including but not limited to selective androgen receptor modulators (SERMs) (c) beta-2 agonists, unless the substance is prescribed by a veterinarian as a bronchodilator at the appropriate dose •

•

• • • • • • • • •

Peptide hormones, growth factors and related substances: (a) erythropoiesis-stimulating agents, including but not limited to erythropoietin (EPO), epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, darbepoetin alfa, and methoxypolyethylene glycol-epoetin beta, peginesatide, hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) stabilisers and HIF activators (b) growth hormones and growth hormone releasing factors, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and other growth factors (c) synthetic proteins and peptides and synthetic analogues of endogenous proteins and peptides not registered for medical or veterinary use Hormones and metabolic modulators: (a) aromatase inhibitors (b) selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) and other anti-estrogenic substances (c) agents modifying myostatin function, including but not limited to myostatin inhibitors (d) insulins (e) peroxisome proliferator activated receptor δ (PPARδ) agonists, including but not limited to GW 1516 (f) AMPK activators, including but not limited to AICAR (5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1β-D-ribofuranoside) (g) other agents that directly or indirectly affect or manipulate gene expression.

Allosteric effectors of haemoglobin, including but not limited to ITPP (myo-inositol trispyrophosphate) Venoms of any species or derivatives thereof Oxygen carriers Thymosin beta Bisphosphonate containing substances Thyroxin Sarapin (pitcher plant) Ammonium Chloride Any other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s) to the substances listed above.

Substances with a legitimate therapeutic use: This category includes substances that are “prohibited substances” but which are not included in the list of substances which are prohibited at all times. They are permitted for use on a horse in training but cannot be detected in a race day sample. These substances include antiinflammatory agents licensed for use in horses, and other medications used in the legitimate management of conditions during training.

Relevant international screening limits (ISL’s) for therapeutic substances in urine and plasma will apply during the screening of samples from horses competing in The Saudi Cup races.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES (See: https://www.ifhaonline.org/default.asp?section=IABRW&area=1 and https://www.ifhaonline.org/default.asp?section=IABRW&area=6 ) The JCSA also accepts the following Asian Screening Limits for controlling Firocoxib, Ketoprofen and Dantrolene in plasma: • • •

Firocoxib: 2ng/mL in plasma Dantrolene: 0.1 ng/mL of 5-hydroxydantrolene in plasma Ketoprofen:2 ng/mL in plasma under the condition of a single IV or oral dose

All Injections The use of injections of any type is prohibited at any time on the day of a race prior to the start of such an event, and at any time during the one clear day prior to midnight (12.00am) on the day of the relevant race.

Injections prohibited at certain times (1) A person must not, without the permission of the Stewards: (a)inject; (b)cause to be injected; (c) attempt to inject; or (d)be a party to the injection or attempted injection of, a horse engaged to run in any race: (i) at any time on the day of the scheduled race and prior to the start of that race; and/or (ii) at any time during the 1 clear days prior to 12.00am on the day of the scheduled race.

(2) If a person breaches subrule (1), or the Stewards reasonably suspect that such a breach has been committed, they may order the scratching of the horse from the relevant race.

(3) If a person breaches subrule (1), but the horse competes in the race, the horse may be disqualified from the race.

(4) For the purposes of this rule: (a) “inject” includes, but is not limited to, the insertion of a hypodermic needle into a horse; (b) it is not necessary to establish whether any substance was injected, or the nature of any substance injected.

The JCSA also accepts the IFHA residue limits for the control of Feed Contaminants and Environmental Substances as set out at: https://www.ifhaonline.org/default.asp?section=IABRW&area=18 TCO2 testing and alkalinising agents The JCSA has stringent procedures for the testing of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in blood samples taken pre-race. The JCSA uses the same threshold as the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), with samples analyzed at an accredited laboratory.

Alkalinising Agents 1) A person must not administer an alkalinising agent, in any manner, to a horse which is engaged to run in any race.

2) Any person who: a) administers an alkalinising agent b) attempts to administer an alkalinising agent c) causes an alkalinising agent to be administered and/or d) is a party to the administration of, or an attempt to administer an alkalinising agent, contrary to Article 119 commits an offence and may be penalised.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES 3) Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has, or is likely to have been, administered any alkalinising agent contrary to Article 119, the Stewards may prevent the horse from starting in any relevant race.

4) Where a horse has been administered any alkalinising agent contrary to Article 119, the horse may be disqualified from any relevant race in which the horse competed.

5) For the purposes of Article 119, ‘alkalinising agent’: a) means any substance that may elevate the plasma total carbon dioxide (TCO2) of a horse when administered by any route; b) includes but is not limited to substances that are bicarbonates, citrates, succinates, acetates, propionates, maleates, lactates and trometamol (THAM, tris buffer or trometamine) and also include products marketed as urinary alkalinisers and hind gut buffers; c) does not include substances that are alkalinising agents which are contained in commercial feeds and/or balanced commercial electrolyte supplements which when fed and consumed according to the manufacturers’ recommendations for normal daily use have a negligible effect on plasma TCO2.

Specific requirements regarding bisphosphonates The following Notice appears in the JCSA Rules: Any bisphosphonate is not to be administered to a racehorse: • under the age of three years and six months as determined by its recorded date of birth; and • on the day of the race or on any of the 30 days before the day of the race in which the horse is declared to run.

The bisphosphonate product administered must be licensed for use in horses in the country in which it is being used and be administered in accordance with the label instructions. There must be a diagnosis determined by a veterinary surgeon that supports the use of a bisphosphonate as an appropriate treatment, and such treatment must be administered by a veterinary surgeon.

Horsemen are reminded of the prolonged and unpredictable detection period of bisphosphonates following their administration.

Category B Prohibited Methods/Practices Prohibition Of Raceday Medications a) A horse is not to be administered any medication on Raceday prior to running in a race, (without the permission of JCSA Stewards) b) Any substance administered by injection, paste, stomach tube, dose syringe, topical application (skin), or by inhalation amongst any other routes of administration, will be considered a medication. c) Only normal feeding that can be achieved by the horse voluntarily eating or drinking the feedstuff can be considered as acceptable on the day of racing.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES Prohibition Of Other Medications Intra Articular Injections (joint) If a horse has been subjected to an intra-articular injection: (a) the horse is ineligible for; and (b) a trainer must not enter or start the horse in, any race, official trial, or jump-out for 14 clear days following 12.00 am (midnight) on the day of the administration.

1) If a horse has been subjected to, or the JCSA Stewards reasonably suspect a horse has been subjected to, an intra-articular injection at any time during the 14 clear days prior to the day of a race, official trial, or jump-out, the JCSA Stewards may order the scratching of the horse from the relevant event.

2) If a horse has been nominated and/or entered for a race, official trial, or jump-out, a person must not: (a) administer; (b) cause to be administered; (c) attempt to administer; or (d) be party to the administration of, an intra-articular injection to the horse at any time within 14 clear days of the race, official trial, or jump-out.

3) This category includes the placement of a hypodermic needle into any joint space irrespective of the substance to be injected.

Intra Articular Injections Containing Polyacrylamide Hydrogel Preparations 1) If a horse has been subjected to an intra-articular injection containing a polyacrylamide hydrogel preparation, (a) the horse is ineligible for; and (b) a trainer must not enter or start the horse in, any race, official trial, or jump-out following the administration.

2) If a horse has been subjected to, or JCSA Stewards reasonably suspect a horse has been subjected to, an intra-articular injection containing a polyacrylamide preparation, at any time, the Stewards may order the scratching of the horse from the relevant event.

3) A person must not: (a) administer; (b) cause to be administered; (c) attempt to administer; or (d) be party to the administration of, an intra-articular injection containing a polyacrylamide preparation, to the horse at any time.

Clenbuterol Containing Preparations Clenbuterol administration is prohibited on race day and the 30 (thirty) clear days preceding race day.

1) A horse administered clenbuterol is ineligible to race for 30 clear days post administration of clenbuterol.

2) If a person breaches subrule (1), or JCSA Stewards reasonably suspect that such a breach has been committed, they may order the scratching of the horse from the relevant race.

3) If a person breaches subrule (1), but the horse competes in the race, the horse may be disqualified from the race.

Other restrictions •

The application of ice or chilled water (only) to, or the use of whirlpool boots or similar systems on musculoskeletal structures are only permitted in the trainers’ stables on the morning of the race day, but are not permitted once the horse arrives in the race day stalls on the racecourse prior to the horse running in a race.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES For further information on prohibited substances, treatment and medication, please contact: JCSA veterinary officers: Dr Toby Koenig BVSc Director of Veterinary Services Email: tkoenig@jcsa.sa

Dr Abdulhakeem Al Mutawa Regulatory Veterinarian E-mail: ahakeem@jcsa.sa

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES PENALTIES 1. Any person shall be liable to penalty if: (a) they administer or cause to be administered any prohibited substance to a horse for the purpose of affecting its performance in a race, or any test. (b) they administer or cause to be administered any prohibited substance which is detected in any sample from any horse prior to or following any race, or test.

2.

Any trainer or other person in charge of a horse, which is presented to race or perform a test, or has raced or performed a test which is found (upon analysis) to have had administered to it a prohibited substance, shall be liable to a penalty.

3.

The Stewards may direct that samples taken from a horse pursuant be stored, in whole or in part and shall be disposed of only as directed.

4.

Not withstanding any other provision of the rules, the Stewards may direct that a stored sample, in whole or in part, be submitted or resubmitted for any test to determine whether any prohibited substance was at the relevant time present in the system of the horse from which the sample was taken.

5.

A person shall not attempt to stomach tube (nasogastric tube), a horse nominated for a race or within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race. No nasogastric tube is allowed to be brought into the racecourse stables on the day of the race.

6.

A person shall not attempt to use, or use an atomiser (nebuliser), face mask or other device for the administration of a prohibited substance to a horse nominated for a race within two (2) clear days of the commencement of the race.

7.

The use of physical treatments such as acupuncture, ultrasound therapy, laser therapies and hyperbaric oxygen therapies are prohibited within two (2) clear days of the commencement of the race. The horse must not have been administered extracorporeal shockwave therapy on the day of the race or any of the five clear days before the day of the race.

8.

No person shall administer or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.

9.

The Stewards may order the withdrawal from a race any horse that has received any medication in contravention of these rules.

10. Where it is established subsequent to a horse competing in a race, that the horse had received medication, it may be disqualified from the race.

For the purpose of these rules, medication means any treatment with drugs, prohibited substances or other substances.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES SAMPLES 1. Samples taken from horses in pursuance of the powers conferred on the Stewards shall be analysed by an accredited racing laboratory approved by the JCSA. 2. Upon the detection by an accredited racing laboratory of a prohibited substance in a sample from a horse, such laboratory shall notify its finding to the Stewards, who shall then notify the trainer of the horse of such finding and give them the option to have the reserve portion of the sample tested at a JCSA-approved accredited racing laboratory in accordance with the Rules and Regulations. The trainer will have three days to notify the Stewards of such requirement. A refusal by the trainer to test the reserve portion of the sample shall not prevent the Stewards from having the reserve portion of the sample tested.

3. In the event of confirmation of the same prohibited substance in the reserve portion of the sample by the approved racing laboratory, the certified findings shall be conclusive evidence that a prohibited substance has been detected in a sample obtained from the horse.

4. In the event that a confirmatory analysis is not requested regarding the reserve portion, the findings of the accredited racing laboratory shall be conclusive evidence that a prohibited substance has been detected in the horse from which the sample was taken.

DETECTION TIMES The published detection times are not the period of time that the medication should be withheld.

“Detection Time” is a piece of information released by racing authorities to stakeholders to assist professionals (veterinarians) to determine a withdrawal time for a given horse. This allows the veterinarians to apply current standards of veterinary practice in the use of therapeutic substances to treat racehorses. The overall process provides a fair and effective approach for controlling substances commonly used for the treatment of racehorses.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE DETECTION TIMES SHOULD NOT BE CONFUSED WITH WITHDRAWAL TIME NB – An adequate safety margin should be added to the detection time. Trainers must liaise with their stable treating veterinarians at home and if necessary, with JCSA Veterinary Services in Riyadh. https://www.ehslc.com/images/uploads/documents/EHSLC_DETECTION_TIMES_(updated_1_ February_2021).pdf

A Clear Day means a 24 hour period from 12.00am to 11.59pm. A Clear Day is not the day the treatment is administered and not the day of the Race. It is related to the days between.

For instance, if a horse is scheduled to race on Saturday, Friday is considered a clear day, and the substance is administered on Thursday.

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

Acepromazine

Sedalin® Vetoquinol UK Ltd

0.15mg/kg, single dose

Oral (6)

72

Altrenogest

Regumate® Equine MSD Animal Health

44ug/kg for 10 days, once daily

Oral (4)

288*

Butorphanol

Torbugesic® Fort Dodge Animal Health Ltd

100μg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

72

Butyl Scopolamine/ Dipyrone (Metamizole)

Buscopan™ Compositum Boehringer Ingelheim

0.2mg/kg butyl scopolamine/ 25mg/kg dipyrone (Metamizole), single dose

i.v. (6)

72

Butyl scopolamine

Buscopan® Boehringer Ingelheim

0.3mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

≤48^

Carprofen

Rimadyl® Pfizer Ltd

0.7mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

264

Cetirizine

Allacan® (Bristol Laboratories Ltd)

190mg twice daily for 4.5 days (9 doses)

Oral (2)

96

Ciclesonide

Aservo® Equihaler® Ciclesonide inhalation solution

5.5mg/day/5days then 4.1mg/day/5days

Inhalation (6)

120

Clenbuterol

Ventipulmin™ Syrup (25 micrograms/ml) Boehringer Ingelheim

1.6µg/kg/day for 10 Days, once daily

Oral (6)

312

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

Clenbuterol

Ventipulmin™ Injection (30 micrograms/ml) Boehringer Ingelheim

0.3µg/kg/day for 5 Days, once daily

Nebulised** (6)

144

Clodronate

Osphos® Dechra Veterinary Products

1.53mg/kg Single injection

i.m.

30 days

Dantrolene

Dantrium®

500mg for 3 days, once daily

Oral (12)

≤48^

Dembrexine

Sputolysin® Boehringer Ingelheim

0.3mg/kg, 9 doses at 12h intervals

Oral (6)

96

Detomidine

Domosedan® Orion Pharma, Finland

0.02mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (10)

48^

Detomidine/ Butorphanol

Domosedan® Janssen Torbugesic® Pfizer

10µg/kg followed after 5 minutes with 25µg/kg Torbugesic®, single dose

i.v. (6)

72

Dexamethasone isonicotinate

Voren® Boehringer Ingelheim Ltd

0.03mg/kg, single dose (15ml/500kg horse)

i.m (6)

336

Dexamethasone sodium phosphate

Dexadreson® Intervet UK Ltd

0.06mg/kg, single dose (15ml/500kg horse)

i.v. (6)

120

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

Dipyrone

Vetalgin® Intervet Deutschland GmbH

30mg/kg, single dose

i.v.(10)

72

Eltenac

Telzenac® Schering Plough Animal Health

0.5mg/kg for 5 days, once Daily

i.v.(6)

192

Firocoxib

Equioxx® Merial

100µg/kg for 7 days, once daily

Oral (20)

360 (15 days)

Flunixin

Finadyne® Schering Plough

1mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (4)

144

Furosemide

Dimazon™ Intervet

1mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

48^

Hydroxyzine

Atarax® (Alliance Pharmaceuticals Ltd)

500mg twice daily for 4.5 days (9 doses)

Oral (6)

96

Ipratropium

Atrovent™ solution for nebulisation (0.5 mg /ml) Boehringer Ingelheim

5.5µg/kg/day for 3 Days, once daily (16.5µg/kg in total)

Nebulised** (6) [MDI-Spacer]

Ketoprofen

Ketofen® Merial Animal Health Ltd

2.2mg/kg for 5 days, once daily

i.v.(6)

96

Lidocaine

Norocaine® Norbrook Laboratories

300mg/15mL, single dose 60mg/3mL, single dose

s/c (6) s/c (6)

72

Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

120 [168]

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

Meclofenamic acid

Not commercially available. Sigma (†see footnote)

2.2mg/kg/single Dose

i.v. (6)

48^

Meclofenamic acid

Dynoton Biove Laboratory Arques, France

4mg/kg for 5 days, once daily

Oral (6)

120

Meloxicam

Metacam® Boehringer Ingelheim

0.6mg/kg for 14 days, once daily

Oral (8)

72

Mepivacaine

Intra-Epicaine® Arnolds Vet Products Ltd

2mL/40mg, single dose (0.07 –0.09mg/kg)

s/c to lateral aspect of distal limb (6)

72

Mepivacaine

Intra-Epicaine® Arnolds Vet Products Ltd

8mL/160mg, single dose (0.28 –0.36mg/kg)

s/c neck (6)

72

Misoprostol

Cytotec®

5µg/kg for 14 days, twice daily

Oral (6)

48^

Naproxen

Naprosyn™ Roche

10mg/kg for 5 days, once daily

Oral (6)

>360 (15 days)

Omeprazole

Gastrogard® 37% oral Paste Merial

1mg/kg for 28 days, once daily

Oral (*see note)

48^

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

Phenylbutazone

Equipazolone® Arnolds Vet Products Ltd Phenylarthrite™ Vetoquinol SA Equipazolone® Intervet SA

4.7mg/kg for 5 days, twice daily 8.8mg/kg, single dose 8.8mg/kg for 1 day, twice daily followed by; 4.4mg/kg for 10 days, twice daily

Prednisolone

Prednidale® 25mg Dechra

1mg/kg, single dose

Oral (6)

48^

Procaine benzylpenicillin

Depocillin® MSD Animal Health

12mg/kg for 5 days, once or twice daily

i.m. (4)

240

Romifidine

Sedivet® Boehringer Ingelheim

80µg/kg, single dose

i.v. (8)

60

Romifidine/ Butorphanol

Sedivet®Boehringer Ingelheim Torbugesic® Pfizer

60µg/kg followed after 5 minutes with 25µg/kg Torbugesic®, single dose

i.v. (6)

72

Salbutamol

Ventolin Evohaler® Allen & Hansburys

5×100µg actuations per dose for 2 days at 4 hourly dosing during day

Inhaled via a pMDI through a spacer into nostrils (6)

72

Tildronate

Tildren® Ceva Animal Helath

0.1mg/kg/10 days

i.v. (6)

30 days

Vedaprofen

Quadrisol® Intervet SA

2mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

96

Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia

Oral (2) i.v.(6)

168

Oral (6)

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PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND MEDICATION RULES

SUBSTANCE

PREPARATION

DOSE

ROUTE OF ADMNISTRATION (No. OF HORSES)

DETECTION TIME (HOURS)

Xylazine

Chanazine® Chanelle Animal Health

0.4mg/kg, single dose

i.v. (6)

72

† Prepared according to Johansson et al Pharmaceutical & Biomedical Analysis (1986) 4, 2 171-179. * Calculated from several studies involving differing numbers of horses. ** This 5 day advice relates to true nebulisation. ^ The JCSA requires that a prohibited substance may not be given on the day of a race. No detection times less than 48 hours will be advised by the JCSA.

It is recommended that the trainers take all precautions through consultation and coordination with their treating veterinarian and the JCSA approved veterinarians as required to avoid potential violations.

The classification of prohibited substances and therapeutic substances is subject to periodic review and amendments.

Violations and penalties will be determined by the JCSA Rules of Racing and classification of prohibited substances. The ARCI (Association of Racing Commissioners International) list of prohibited substances will act as a guide and will remain non-binding.

The Medication, Testing and Safety rules outlined here should be followed and implemented by all trainers as a part of the JCSA Rules of Racing.

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