As expected the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium board of directors said April 20 it will join the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and American Association of Equine Practitioners in organizing an international summit to address race-day medication.
Officials said the meeting would be held in summer, with the date and location announced in the future.
The RMTC board, which also confirmed that Dr. Scot Waterman is leaving his post as executive director, met April 19 in Dallas, Texas. A search for a replacement is under way.
“The NTRA welcomes the opportunity to bring together a broad range of international industry views on race-day medication,” NTRA president and chief executive officer Alex Waldrop said in a statement. “Our goal is to ensure that all stakeholders are included in the dialogue so that the ultimate conclusions are based on an objective evaluation of the facts.”
The NTRA board of directors met April 18 but issued no statement on its discussion of race-day medication which, because of policy changes suggested by the RMTC, is down to anti-bleeding drugs.
“The AAEP is pleased to co-sponsor this meeting and stands ready to assist the industry in any way that we can,” AAEP executive director David Foley said. “Our chief concern is for the health and welfare of the horse, and ensuring the integrity and vitality of the sport.”