RMTC

Beginning Nov. 23 and ending Nov. 30, the Racing Medication and Testing Consortium (RMTC), an industry 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, will auction off halters of famous broodmares, racehorses, and stallions on its eBay page. 

All proceeds will go toward the RMTC’s grant program to fund critical tactical research into detecting and identifying illicit substances in racehorses.

In addition to a halter auction held in 2017, the RMTC has pursued contributions from other industry groups and individuals to match funds provided by the RMTC. So far, The Jockey Club, Jockeys’ Guild and American Quarter Horse Association have made donations toward studies funded through this program.

The RMTC’s Scientific Advisory Committee has received several research proposals and plans to review several more before a decision is made on which studies will ultimately be funded for 2019-2020. Areas of special interest include bisphosphonates in horses during racing and training; performance-enhancing or -modifying substances; and emerging substances with potential health, welfare, and/or integrity hazards.

“We are excited to get this grant program underway,” said RMTC Executive Director Dionne Benson, DVM. “This initiative will enable the industry to make significant advances in targeting emerging threats and developing new techniques to test for them—both of which are essential to effectively regulating our sport. The studies funded through these grants will be critical to protecting the integrity of horse racing and the welfare of our athletes.”

The auction will include halters from:

  • Current racehorses including Abel Tasman, Accelerate, Game Winner, Monomoy Girl, Wonder Gadot, and Yoshida;
  • Racing standouts from the past, including Havre de Grace, Lady Eli, Rachel Alexandra, Serena’s Song, Silverbulletday, and Songbird;
  • Active and retired stallions including American Pharoah, Animal Kingdom, A.P. Indy, California Chrome, Ghostzapper, Gio Ponti, Go For Gin, Grindstone, Gun Runner, Justify, Mastery, More Than Ready, Mucho Macho Man, One Famous Eagle (Quarter Horse), Tapit, and Wicked Strong; and
  • Bubbler, the dam of Arrogate.

The RMTC thanks Adena Springs, Bob Baffert, Gary Barber, Bethlehem Stables, Mark Casse, Castleton Lyons, China Horse Club International, Claiborne Farm, Clearsky Farm, Coolmore America, Brad Cox, Darley, Denali Stud, M. Dubb, The Elkstone Group, The Four Sixes Ranch, Gainesway Farm, Heads of Plains Partners, Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms, Hronis Racing, Lane’s End, Monomoy Stables, Bill Mott, Oakhurst Equine Veterinary Services, John Sadler, SF Racing, Spendthrift Farm, Starlight Racing, Stonestreet Farm, Taylor Made Farm, The Kentucky Horse Park Hall of Champions, Three Chimneys Farm, Timber Town Stables, Mr. and Mrs. Gary West, Whisper Hill Farm, and WinStar Farm for their generous donations.

The RMTC consists of 23 racing industry stakeholders and organizations that represent Thoroughbred, Standardbred, American Quarter Horse, and Arabian racing. The organization works to develop and promote uniform rules, policies and testing standards at the national level; coordinate research and educational programs that seek to ensure the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses and participants; and protect the racing public’s interests.