The board of the National Horseracing Authority in South Africa has taken the decision to ban the use of anabolic steroids.

This decision falls in line with the recent position taken by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities.

Rule 73.4 will be introduced on 1 December 2013, with the ban taking effect from 1 June 2014, thereby giving six months for a treated horse to be free of anabolic steroids. Out of competition testing for anabolic steroids will take place randomly from 1 June 2014 onwards.

73.4 ANABOLIC STEROIDS

73.4.1 Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in the RULES, the TRAINER and/or the OWNER of a HORSE shall be guilty of an offence if an anabolic steroid is administered to that HORSE or if a SPECIMEN taken from that HORSE at any time contains an anabolic steroid, except in the circumstances provided for in RULE 73.4.2.

73.4.2 In exceptional circumstances, the TRAINER and/or the OWNER of a HORSE may apply in writing to a veterinary surgeon employed by the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY (“NHA Vet”) for permission to allow the administration of a single-dose of an anabolic steroid to the HORSE if there is a justifiable and recognisable therapeutic reason for such administration. Should the NHA Vet in his/her sole discretion decide to grant such permission, then:

73.4.2.1 the administration shall be supervised by the NHA Vet who shall record the details of such administration in a register specifically kept by the NATIONAL HORSERACING AUTHORITY for this purpose; and

73.4.2.2 the HORSE in question shall be ineligible to race for a minimum period of 90 DAYS after such administration. – NHA.