Racing Economics Collide With Veterinarians’ Oath Horse-racing veterinarians are both doctor and drugstore; the more drugs they prescribe, the more money they make.

By WALT BOGDANICH, JOE DRAPE and REBECCA R. RUIZ

Published: September 21, 2012 109 Comments

Only after Bourbon Bandit broke a leg racing last November did his owner, Susan Kayne, learn the full extent of prescription drugs that veterinarians had given him at Belmont Park on Long Island.

Until then, Ms. Kayne had believed that Bourbon Bandit was “sound and healthy,” because that is what her trainer told her, she said. But new veterinary bills arrived, showing that the horse had been treated regularly with clenbuterol, a widely abused medication for breathing problems that can build muscle by mimicking anabolic steroids.  

“If a horse is sound, why does it need all these drugs?” she asked. “I never gave consent.”

Gene and Eileen Hartis said they, too, were shocked by their bill, from a California veterinarian, showing that in just over three months in 2010, their graded stakes winner, Princess Haya, had been given drugs for pain, soreness and swelling 34 times, as well as seven doses of clenbuterol.

“It’s so contrary to our philosophy that we explained in length to our vet and trainer,” Mr. Hartis said.

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