Breeders’ Cup officials announced that the use of race-day medication will be prohibited in World Championships races for 2-year-olds in 2012 and all events in 2013.

The board of directors made the decision at its July 14 meeting. Officials said the move is necessary to get Breeders’ Cup policies in line with those in other countries at a time of growing international participation in the World Championships and related programs.

"Given the high level of international participation in our Championships and the increasing support for our nominations programs throughout the global Thoroughbred breeding and racing community, Breeders’ Cup feels strongly that the time has come to modify our medication policies to be consistent with international practices," Breeders’ Cup chairman Tom Ludt said in a July 14 statement. "Breeders’ Cup has a longstanding reputation for setting high standards of safety, security, and integrity for the participants in our Championships, and this measure continues that tradition."

United States racing is considering, but has not yet acted upon, a proposal to ban race-day medication, primarily anti-bleeding drugs such as Salix and related "adjunct" drugs. There has been behind-the-scenes talk of a strong push to eliminate adjunct medications and ban the use of Salix on race day in 2-year-olds, perhaps next year