THE British Horseracing Authority says that full implementation of their zero-tolerance policy regarding the use of anabolic steroids has been put back until at least next March.

The reason for the deferral is “to allow more time to work with stakeholders, trainers and owners in particular, to clarify certain elements of the new rules and to secure consensus from all affected parties.”

The policy, first announced last June, includes: that a horse must never be administered with an anabolic steroid at any time, from birth to retirement, and greater powers for the BHA in terms of access for testing registered horses.