Canadian regulators amend clenbuterol stand-down period

The Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency has changed rules regarding the administration of clenbuterol in race horses, according to a tweet from Woodbine Entertainment CEO Jim Lawson.

Lawson stated the CPMA "announced the guidance for clenbuterol use has been extended from seven days to 28 days. The new testing will be effective May 1, 2020."

This development comes on the heels of prominent trainer Mark Casse identifying the medication as "the most abused drug in our industry."

While there was no mention of the development on the agency's official Canadian government website, clenbuterol is an approved medication for race horses.

The CPMA, tasked with regulating and supervising pari-mutuel horse races and ensuring betting is conducted in a way that is fair to the public, is a special operating agency under Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Clenbuterol promotes bronchodilation, but can also be used as a medication similar to anabolic steroids and is therefore also considered to be a performance enhancing drug.

Casse applauded Canadian regulators for extending the stand-down period for clenbuterol from seven days to 28 days. 

Each racing jurisdiction has the authority approve or deny usage of such drugs, but most jurisdictions prohibit findings of any level of the medication in post-race blood tests.