NEWS RELEASE

Committee on Energy and Commerce
Rep. John D. Dingell, Chairman

Horse Racing Associations Respond to Questions on Thoroughbred Breeding and Medication Practices

Recurring Injuries and Breakdowns of Horses Prompt Inquiry

Washington, DC – The Committee on Energy and Commerce has released the responses to the questionnaire that was recently submitted to five horse racing associations soliciting information regarding horse breeding and medication practices.

The May 22, 2008 letter sent from Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce’s Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection, and Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-KY), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee, can be viewed by clicking here.

Click here to view the responses.

Tomorrow, the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection will hold a hearing at 10:00 a.m. in room 2322 Rayburn House Office Building to explore growing concerns about the health and well-being of Thoroughbred racehorses and the integrity of the sport. The hearing will explore commercial breeding practices that emphasize speed and precocity over durability, the prevalence of performance enhancing drugs and other medications, track surfaces and maintenance of the tracks, the lack of a central governing body, and the impact of the gambling exemption in the Interstate Horseracing Act. The hearing is entitled, “Breeding, Drugs, and Breakdowns: The State of Thoroughbred Horseracing and the Welfare of the Thoroughbred Racehorse.”

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