The board of directors of the Racing Commissioners International (RCI) has voted to direct its committees to develop a "one strike, you’re out" proposal for licensees found responsible for putting substances in racehorses that might endanger the animals.

Under an approach outlined by RCI President Ed Martin, not only licensed trainers, but also owners who fail to monitor their trainers and the veterinarians who provide or facilitate the administration of such substances, could be subject to exclusion. In addition to racing license revocation, complaints would also be filed with law enforcement for possible violations of animal cruelty statutes.

The RCI regulatory veterinarians committee has been instructed to compile a list of substances that, if found in a horse during drug testing, would warrant this type of response. The committee chairperson, Lynn Hovda, MS, DVM, of the Minnesota Racing Commission, suggested that the presence of some therapeutic substances (e.g. clenbuterol) at excessive levels should also be considered.

Current RCI Model Rules recommend a first-time penalty for the most egregious drug violation of a 1-to-3-year suspension and a $10,000 to $25,000 fine. A license revocation recommendation currently does not apply until the second offense with aggravating circumstances