Officials from the Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company, and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company announced that they will enable buyers of horses younger than 4 years old to have those horses tested for bisphosphonates. They said they undertook the policy to ban off-label use of these drugs. | Photo: iStock

Officials from the Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company Inc., and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company Inc. (OBS)—the three major U.S. Thoroughbred auction companies—jointly announced March 25 that they will enable buyers of horses younger than 4 years old to have those horses tested for bisphosphonates.

The policy is undertaken to ban off-label use of these drugs. The revised Conditions of Sale for each of these sales companies will take effect July 1.

At each of the three sales companies, buyers of young horses can request testing for bisphosphonates to be performed at the time of purchase. If the sale horse tests positive, a buyer has the right, within 24 hours of notification, to rescind the sale