In an announcement that figures to meet with disagreement with some horsemen’s groups and perhaps others, the outgoing and incoming leaders of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) called for a five-year phase-out of equine medication from horse racing March 28.

Outgoing RCI chairman Dan Hartman of the Colorado Racing Commission said "a five-year phase-out is reasonable to bring North American racing policies in line with what is going on in other parts of the world like Europe and Hong Kong." Hartman said a phased approach would give horsemen and owners sufficient time to adjust to the change.

New RCI chairman Willie Koester, chairman of the Ohio State Racing Commission, agreed with Hartman. RCI concluded its annual convention March 27 in New Orleans and followed with a release on equine medication the next day.

"Today over 99% of Thoroughbred racehorses and 70% of Standardbred racehorses have a needle stuck in them four hours before a race," Koester said. "That just does not pass the smell test with the public or anyone else except horse trainers who think it necessary to win a race