AMERICAN racing took a major step closer to international standards on raceday medication this week when a further 17 American racetracks, including almost all the major venues, announced plans to phase out the use of Lasix starting from next year.

By 2021 all US Triple Crown races will be Lasix-free.

This major initiative comes a few weeks after the owners of Santa Anita racetrack announced major medication and whip-use reforms in Californian racing following more than 20 equine fatalities during Santa Anita’s winter meeting.

This week a coalition of leading thoroughbred racing associations and organisations signed up to an agreement which is committed to phasing out the use of the medication Furosemide (Lasix) beginning in 2020 and eliminating the use of Lasix in stakes races held at their racetracks beginning in 2021.

An anti-bleeding medication, Lasix is believed by many horsemen to enhance performance though there is evidence that sustained use is damaging. It is not allowed on racedays in Europe but most European trainers avail of the opportunity to give it to their horses when racing in the USA.

Racetracks that have signed on to this initiative include all tracks owned or operated by Churchill Downs Incorporated, the New York Racing Association and the Stronach Group as well as Del Mar, Keeneland, and five others.

Taken together these tracks stage 86% of the stakes races assigned graded or listed status in the USA.

Under the new programme, beginning on January 1st, two-year old horses would not be allowed to be treated with Lasix within 24 hours of a race. Beginning in 2021, the same ban would extend to all horses participating in any stakes race at coalition tracks.

Accordingly, in 2021 the races comprising the Triple Crown would all be run under the new rules regarding raceday medication.

Breeders’ Cup Limited, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders’ Association (TOBA) and the American Graded Stakes Committee of TOBA, and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association have also joined the coalition.

“This is a progressive and unified approach to the subject of raceday medication, achieving consistency with international standards for young horses and those that form the foundations of our breeding stock,” said David O’Rourke, president and chief executive officer of NYRA.

Belinda Stronach, in charge at Santa Anita, said: “While there is still more work to be done, these reforms are a good start.

“This industry coalition has taken an important step forward toward a uniform policy and we are committed to focusing our attention and resources on how to make further improvements that directly prioritise equine health and safety.”

“This is a significant and meaningful step to further harmonise American racing with international standards,” said Bill Carstanjen of Churchill Downs.

Keeneland boss Bill Thomason added: “This new programme is an essential step as we look toward the long-term sustainability of US-breds on the national and international stages.”

The full list of participating tracks is Aqueduct, Arlington, Belmont Park, Churchill Downs, Del Mar, Fair Grounds, Gulfstream Park, Keeneland, Laurel Park, Lone Star Park and Remington Park, Los Alamitos, Oaklawn Park, Pimlico, Presque Isle Downs, Saratoga and Tampa Bay Downs. Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita Park will continue to run under the previously announced limitations to raceday medication.