Some foreign racing organizations issued statements June 14 backing action by the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC) to phase-out use of race-day furosemide in graded and listed stakes over three years beginning Jan. 1, 2014.

The regulation must now go through a lengthy legislative process. Opponents of the ban said they intend to lobby Kentucky lawmakers to reject it.

Louis Romanet, chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), said the KHRC "made the right decision." He said the IFHA hopes other United States racing jurisdictions follow suit.

"I am convinced that this decision will surely be a historical milestone for all racing sectors in the U.S.," Romanet said. "I am sure that our international racing community will also strongly support this bold step forward, and (the) IFHA will pledge to give its full support to further development of this policy into other racing jurisdictions in the United States