VJA Jockey Health

  • The following substances are banned for all riders:
    LSD
    All barbiturates
    GHB - G, little G
    Cannabis - Marijuana, hash, hashish

    All diuretics
    Lasix
    Frusemide
    Moduretic
    Midamor
    Aldactone
    Spiractin
    Chlotride
    Hydrothiazide

    Probenicid - Agent used for treating gout which works as a masking agent.

    Alcohol – If reading > 0.02% on breath alcohol content (BAC)

    Stimulants - Illicit Group:
    Amphetamines
    Methamphetamine (speed, crystal meth, ICE)
    Cocaine
    Ecstasy
    Ephedrine

    Note: Stimulant substances excluded in this group are Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed), Levo amphetamine, Levo-methylamphetamine (Vicks Vapor Inhaler), Phenylpropranolamine (PPA).


    Anorectics (Appetite Suppressants):

    Phentermine (Duromine)

    Diethylproprion (Tenuate Dospan / Anorex / Tenuate / Linea / Nobesine / Prefamone / Regenon / Tepanil)

    Sibutramine (Reductil)
    Opiates / Opioids - Illicit Group:

    Heroin (crack, H)
    Prescription / OTC group
    Morphine
    Kapanol (oral form)
    Codeine (Panadeine / Panadeine forte / Codapane / Codalgin)
    Oxycodone (Oxycontin / Roxicodone / Endone)
    Fentanyl (Actiq / Durogesic / Fentora / Sublimaze / Instanil)
    Alfentanil (Alfenta / Rapifen)
    Pethidine
    Methadone
    Hydromorphone (Laudicon / Opidol / Palladone)
    Buprenorphine (Bupe / Suboxone)
    Pholcodine (Codeine based cough mixture in linctus form)

    Propoxyphene (Di-Gesic / Darvon
    Dihydrocodeine (Rikodeine cough mixture)
    Dextromorphan (Cough mixture)

    Allowances with Opiates:

    If level of codeine/morphine is below a certain level. If on confirmatory testing the range is appropriate and the ration of codeine to morphine is > 1.0 or the rider satisfies stewards that there is no illegal use.

    Dissociative Anaesthetics - Illicit Group:

    Ketamine (K / Special K)
    Prescription group
    Ketamine (K /Special K)
    Phencyclidine
    Tiletamine
    Tryptamine derivatives
    Diethyltryptamine (DMT)
    Alphamethyltryptamine (AMT)
    Hydroxydimethyltryptamine (HMT)
    All Benzodiazepines (BDZ)
    Diazepam (Valium / Antenex)
    Nordiazepam
    Oxazepam (Serepax)
    Temazepam (Temaze / Normison)
    Alprazolam (Xanax / Zannys / Bricks)
    Clonazepam (Paxam / Rivotril)
    Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol / Rohys)
    Nitrazepam (Mogadon)
    Bromazepam (Lexotan / Lexys)
    Flumazenil (Mazicon, Romazicon)
    Lorazepam (Ativan) • Midazolam (Hypnovel)
    Triazolam (Halcion / Trilam / Hypam)
    Benzodiazepine ‘like’ drugs - Zolpidem (Stilnox / Noxys), Zopiclone (Immovane), Zalplon (Sonata / Starnoc).

    Tell your doctor the following drugs are prohibited (not allowed):

    Amphetamine* and related substances
    Barbiturates*, Codeine, morphine and other S8 narcotics*
    Anorectics (phentermine, diethylpropion, sibutramine)
    Diuretics* (frusemide, hydrochlorthiazide, indapamide and others)
    Benzodiazepines* and benzodiazepine receptor agonists*
    Dissociative Anaesthetics (ketamine), Uricosurics (probenecid)*

    *Under some circumstances these may be permitted if prescribed by your doctor who must be willing and able to certify your fitness to ride while taking the particular drug prescribed. Use of these medicines should be cleared with the Stewards prior to riding.

    If you believe that you may have a substance use/abuse issue you can confidentially contact:

    Lisa Stevens 0413 616 152
    Turning Point 24/7 counselling and information Direct Line: 1800 888 236

  • Racing Victoria wishes to advise riders against the use of supplements, particularly those containing Geranamine.

    A warning about supplements containing Geranamine was issued by the Canadian Centre for Ethics in Sport (CCES) in 2009. Geranamine is a concentrated extract of Geranium oil and is credited with stimulant and fat-burning properties.

    A constituent of Geranamine is methylhexanamine which is categorised as a prohibited stimulant under the AR 136.

    Riders subject to testing should avoid the use of supplements as they pose significant risks.

    Supplements may intentionally contain prohibited substances or they may be inadvertently contaminated with prohibited substances.

    It is your responsibility to know what is in anything you are taking.

  • The following list guidelines for the use of Analgesics (painkillers) and Cold and Flu Medicines. The cough, cold and flu preparations and analgesics (pain killers) listed below are unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 139 if used according to the directions on the package.

    Note: Any product with the word codeine as part of its name may not be safe to use. Be wary of products with a name which ends in the letters “deine” e.g. Panadeine. Read the label carefully and if in doubt seek appropriate advice from your doctor.

    Note: Pseudoephedrine is no longer banned by AR 136. The availability of this substance is now restricted to small pack sizes and low doses.

    Cough, Cold and Flu Preparations: The following preparations are unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 139.

    Actifed Cough
    Benadry products (All)
    Bisolvon Dry Oral Liquid
    Cepacol Cough plus
    Chemists' Own Cough products (NOT Dry Cough, Cold & Flu Day/Night, Cold & Flu
    Relief Tablets, Expectalix Expectorant Cough Mixture
    Chemists' Own Coldeze Tablets
    Chemists' Own Ibuprofen (BUT NOT Chemists' Own Ibuprofen Plus Codeine)
    Chemists' Own Paracetamol 500mg Tablets
    Chemists' Own Sinus pain Relief Tablets (BUT NOT ANY OTHER Chemists' Own products)
    Codral Original Cold & Flu + Cough Day & Night Capsules
    Codral Original Chesty Cough Liquicaps
    Codral Original Dry Cough Liquicaps (BUT NOT ANY OTHER Codral products)
    Demazin Cold and Flu Tablets
    Demazin Day & Night Cold & Flu
    DemazinCough and Cold Syrup
    Demazin Cough Cold and Flu Tablets
    Difflam products (All)
    Dimetapp products (All)
    Duro Tuss products (All)
    Gold Cross Paracetamol Tablets (BUT NOT Gold Cross Codeine Linctus)
    Lemsip products (All)
    Logicin products
    Nurofen products (BUT NOT Nurofen Plus)
    Nyal products
    Panadol products (All)
    Parke Davis Day & Night Cold & Flu
    Rikodeine (An exception to the warning about products ending in “deine”)
    Robitussin products (All)
    Sinutab products (All)
    Sudafed products (All)
    Tixylix products (All)
    Tussinol products (All)
    Vicks products
    Analgesics (Painkillers):

    These fall into two categories, those which can be purchased in a pharmacy or shop and those which require a prescription from a doctor or dentist etc. For those which require a prescription you should inform your doctor that you work in the racing industry and are subject to drug testing under the rules of racing.

    Analgesics (painkillers) requiring a prescription. The following preparations are unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 136:

    Aclin
    Anagraine
    Anaprox
    APO - Tramadol, Arcoxia, Arthrexin, Brufen, Capadex, Celebrex, Cepacaine
    Chemmart Diclofenac
    Chemmart Piroxicam
    Chemmart Piroxicam Dispersible Tablets
    Chemmart Tramadol, Codox, Crysanal, Dichlohexal, Digesic, Dinac, Doloxene, Durotram XR, Dynastat, Feldene, Feldene GelFenac, GennRx Tramadol, Indocid, Inza, Lodam and Lodam SR, Mobilis, Naprosyn and Naprosyn SR, Orudis, Oruvail SR, Neurolasts, Pirohexal-D, Proxen SR, Rafen, Surgam

    Terry White Chemists Piroxicam Capsules
    Terry White Chemists Tramadol Capsules, Tramal, Tramhexal Injection, Tramhexal
    SR Injection, Tramedo and Tramedo SR
    Voltaren
    Zydol
    Analgesics (Painkillers – Over the Counter):

    The following preparations are unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 136.

    Advil Liquicaps or Tablets
    Aleve
    Alka-Seltzer
    Anagrain
    APO Paracetamol, Aspro product
    Bayer Aspirin Extra Strength, Bugesic and Bugesic Oral Suspension, Butalgin, Cepacaine Chemists' Own Ibuprofen Tablets
    Chemists' Own Paracetamol 500mg Tablets (or Capseals)
    Chemists' Own Pain & Fever Drops
    Chemists' Own Period Pain Tablets
    Chemists' Own Sinus Relief, Codox, Disprin, Duatrol, Duatrol SR, Dymadon, Dymadon, P Eazydayz Tablets
    Ecotrin
    Febridol Tablets
    Febridol Clear Effervescent Soluble Tablets
    Femme-free
    Gold Cross Ibuprofen
    Gold Cross Paracetamol
    Herron Blue Ibuprofen
    Herron Paracetamol
    Hexal Diclac Anti-inflammatory Tablets
    Inflac
    Lemsip products
    Logicin Rapid Relief Lozenges
    Metomax
    Naprogesic
    Nurofen products, (NOT Nurofen Plus)
    Nurolasts
    Panadol products
    Panafen(NOT Panafen Plus)
    Panamax(NOT Panamax Co)
    Paracetamol Sandoz
    Paracetamol Soluble Tablets
    Paralgin, Parmol
    Perfalgan
    Pharmacy Choice Paracetamol
    ProVen (NOT ProVen SR)
    Solprin
    Terry White Chemists Paracetamol
    Tri-Profen
    Voltaren Rapid 12.5 and Voltaren Rapid 25.

    Ear, Nose and Throat Preparations:

    The following preparations are unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 136:

    Applicaine Drops
    Auralgan Otic and Ear Drops
    Azep Nasal Spray
    Beconase Allergy & Hay Fever/12 Hour and 24 Hour
    Bonjela
    Cepacaine
    Cepacol Anti-bacterial Throat Lozenges/Mini Mouthwash / Plus with Anaesthetic/Solution
    Chemists' Own Decongestant Nasal Spray
    Curash Family Oral Pain Relieving Gel
    Daktarin Oral Gel|
    Difflam products (All)
    Dimetapp 12 Hour Nasal Spray
    Drixine Nasal, Ear Clear products
    Logicin Rapid Relief Lozenges and Nasal Spray Medijel, Nasalate Nose Drops
    Nilstat Oral Drops
    N-Statin Oral Drops
    Nyal products
    Oral-eze Dental Emergency Toothache Medication
    Ora-Sed Gel
    Otrivin
    Savalcol products
    Seda Lotion
    Seda-Gel
    SM-33 Adult Formula, SM-33 Gel
    Spray Tish/Menthol
    Strepfen Intensive
    Strepsils products (All)
    Vicks products
    Xylocaine 10% Pump Spray
    Xylocaine 10% Special Adhesive

    Disclaimer: This list has been compiled as a guide to products unlikely to lead to a breach of AR 139. While all reasonable care has been taken to ensure its accuracy as at August 2017, it may not refer to all available products and it is your responsibility to seek medical advice before using any of the listed products

    Riders, if you believe that you may have a substance use/abuse issue you can confidentially contact:

    Lisa Stevens - 0413 616 152

    Turning Point 24/7 counselling & information Direct Line - 1800 888 236

  • All licensed riders and registered horse handlers are subject to the drug and alcohol restrictions specified in Australian Rules of Racing AR139 and AR142. A full copy of the Rules can be obtained here or upon request from the Integrity Department.

    The rules proscribe a range of banned substances and maximum allowable limits for certain other substances including a maximum alcohol breath analysis level of 0.02%.

    Racing Victoria Stewards conduct a random drug and alcohol testing program to enforce these restrictions during race day, trials and track work.

    Important Note: Any Rider that provides a sample which upon analysis contains a banned substance, will be stood down from performing their duties effective immediately.

    Further specifications on drugs and alcohol in the work place are detailed in the WorkSafe publication Horse Stables and Track Riding Safety which is a guide to the employers and employees of stables and training facilities.

  • The following restrictions apply to jockeys and apprentices:

    all riders are to be engaged for no more than 10 rides per day

    • all apprentices that ride at night meetings are required to have a minimum of 10 hours off before resuming work

    • no apprentice shall accept rides for more than 6 consecutive days (a 7th day may be granted in extraordinary circumstances)

    • further each apprentice jockey shall have a minimum of 2 days without race riding in a 14 day period.

    • the ordinary hours of work for apprentices are a maximum of 45 hours in any week of stablehand and track riding duties to be worked within rostered hours over no more than 6 days in any week (excluding race riding and official trials).

    Doctors and paramedics attend all race meetings to monitor the wellbeing of all riders including signs of fatigue that may be associated with excessive working hours or riding activity.

    The National Employment Standards, specifies that ordinary hours of work in any one week will be 38 hours. Any work in excess of 38 hours will be paid as overtime or time in lieu in accordance with the applicable Award. Details on payments and overtime arrangements can be found in the Horse Training Industry Award for stable employees.

  • To protect the safety of jockeys and other industry participants by compulsory requirements to wear safety gear and to set minimum gear standards.

    Australian Rules of Racing (AR 122-123) oblige jockeys and track riders to wear helmets, safety vests and footwear that meet approved specified safety standards.

    Clerks of the course and barrier attendants are also required to wear safety gear including boots, helmets and safety vests. Occupational Health and Safety legislation specifies that where provided, employees must wear supplied safety equipment and clothing, better known as Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).

    Further specifications on safety gear requirements are detailed in the WorkSafe publication Horse Stables and Track Riding Safety which is a guide to the employers and employees of stables and training facilities.

    Racing Victoria works closely with the Australian Racing Board and interstate and international racing authorities to ensure that the highest standards of safety gear are maintained and continually kept under review.

  • To ensure racing and training activities are supported by best practice medical services. In addition incidents are appropriately reported and investigated, and injured workers supported via compensation, medical treatment and rehabilitation services.

    Medical Services

    Arrangements are in place to ensure that medical services are readily available to respond to any injuries occurring during racing and training.

    In the case of race meetings, Racing Victoria (RV) has contracted VTR Medical to provide a Raceday Medical Service which focuses on providing immediate critical care to injured jockeys and raceday staff. For a standard meeting, this comprises providing a Medical Practitioner who is competent in a trauma setting, having successfully completed an accredited trauma training course.

    Raceday Doctors travel in the paramedic vehicle behind the race field, supported by 2 Ambulance Transport Attendants or Ambulance Officers and a Registered Critical Care Nurse. This model sees a shift from patient transportation as the primary element of the service model, to a greater focus on medical skills and critical care. In the event of serious injury, Ambulance Victoria emergency services are activated to assist in the evacuation of an injured jockey or raceday staff member.

    Medical services are also provided for official trials and official jump outs, where a paramedic vehicle is supplied which is equipped to a level in excess of a standard paramedic ambulance and supported by two Ambulance Transport Attendant's or Ambulance Officers (refer table above). As with racedays, service provision focuses more on providing immediate critical care rather than focussing on patient evacuation.

    The provision of medical services during training varies, depending on the scale of activity; however, the minimum standard required for all training centres to operate is the provision of a track work supervisor who is a Level 2 qualified First Aid Officer.

    Incident and Injury Reporting

    The above services provide immediate care to injured persons – and in the situation of a serious injury, RV's Medical Officer, Dr Ben Barresi oversights a critical response protocol which ensures that injured riders or other workers are admitted to specialised hospital services best qualified to treat the types of injuries often associated with horse related accidents.

    Notifiable Incidents are reported to Worksafe by RV Integrity Services Department. All incidents however, are reported to RV Risk Management Department for recording, investigation, review of corrective actions and trend analysis.

    WorkCover

    Injured workers are also supported through RV's WorkCover and Claims Management processes. Injured workers are provided with assistance in lodging a WorkCover claim, payment of medical accounts and compensation pay if they are unable to continue their normal work for a period of time. If they are unable to resume normal duties, RV will provide the necessary assistance for injured workers to remain at work, or return to work as soon as it is safely possible. This is achieved through occupational rehabilitation and return to work planning.

    Injured workers together with their representatives and their treating Medical Practitioners will be involved in all aspects of their return to work, and consulted during the development and review of their return to work plans.

    All injuries, accidents and ‘near misses' are reported and recorded for OHS management purposes and to inform research into injury prevention. Detailed information about horse injuries and fatalities are also recorded for the same purposes.

  • This policy establishes eligibility criteria and access to a Jockey Maternity Support Program (JMSP).

    This policy applies to pregnant Victorian jockeys who have been licensed in Victoria for 12 months prior to ceasing riding under the Rules of Racing.

    To view the full policy click here.