Vol 13 / No 2 29 January 2021 Fortnightly by Subscription GBGB Notice to Trainers Forthcoming Open Races Essex Vase winner Antigua Romeo with Kevin Ulla and Kat Lawrence, Photo: Steve Nash kennelhands to Mark Wallis. FOR ALL THE LATEST NEWS - WWW.GBGB.ORG.UK Follow GBGB on Twitter @greyhoundboard @gbgbstaff and Instagram and Facebook CATEGORY ONE FINALS Date Distance Track Event Sat 6 Feb 500m Flat Towcester The Towcester Blue Riband Sat 20 Feb 714m Flat Crayford 2021 Ladbrokes Golden Jacket Sat 27 Feb 480m Flat Monmore Green Ladbrokes Winter Derby Sat 27 Feb 480m Puppies Monmore Green Ladbrokes Puppy Derby Fri 19 Mar 400m Flat Romford Coral Golden Sprint Sun 4 Apr 480m Hurdle Central Park 2021 Springbok Sat 10th July 500m Flat Towcester 2021 English Greyhound Derby 2021 ENGLISH GREYHOUND DERBY The dates for the English Greyhound Derby at Towcester Stadium have been confirmed as follows: First round: Fri 4th and Sat 5th June Quarter Finals: Sat 26th June Second round: Fri 11th and Sat 12th June Semi Finals: Sat 3rd July Third round: Sat 19th June Final: Sat 10th July 2021 Published by the Greyhound Board of Great Britain Limited at Genesis House, 17 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5BD Telephone 020 7822 0900 Fax 020 7822 0901 www.gbgb.org.uk Disclaimer for advertising in the GBGB Calendar: Inclusion of an advertisement in this GBGB Calendar does not constitute or imply an endorsement by the GBGB of the advertised goods or services, nor does it constitute or imply any representation that use of the goods or services is in compliance with the Rules of Racing in force from time to time or that the goods or services will be suitable or appropriate for the use described. All persons are reminded that it is their responsibility at all times to comply with the Rules of Racing and reference to any advertisement in the GBGB Calendar will not be a defence to any disciplinary proceedings brought in relation to use of the advertised goods or services. The GBGB hereby excludes to the maximum extent permitted by law any liability arising out of the advertisement or use of any goods or services advertised in this GBGB Calendar. Printed by Orphans Press Ltd., Arrow Close, Enterprise Park, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 0LD. Tel: (01568) 612460 Registered at the Post Office as a newspaper No reproduction in part or whole without the express permission of the publisher. The Greyhound Board of Great Britain do not guarantee the accuracy of the information contained in this calendar and undertake no responsibility for errors or omissions or their consequences. GBGB NOTICE FOR TRAINERS Veterinary Surgeons: Reducing the risk of race day positive samples GBGB is concerned with the increasing number of positive samples resulting from cross- contamination, the use of unlicensed veterinary products, an over use of supplements, and the exposure of greyhounds to recreational drugs. The following advice should be closely followed to minimise the risk of contamination and exposing greyhounds to prohibited substances. Guidelines for the Responsible Use of Medicines form part of the GBGB Rules of Racing (Rules 214 – 217) and trainers and staff should make themselves familiar with these rules. It is equally important that any veterinary surgeon prescribing medication to a greyhound is also familiar with Rule 216 (Treatment Book) and 217 (Administration of medicaments to Greyhounds). ‘Cross contamination’ risk can be reduced by recognising what might contain a prohibited substance and adopting a common-sense approach to controlling your dogs’ exposure to it. Smoking, eating or drinking near greyhounds can expose them to prohibited substances such as caffeine or theobromine. Human use of medication can cause a problem – trainers need to make their staff aware of how easily residues can be transferred and should take appropriate steps, such as wearing gloves when feeding or handling dogs if they are taking medication. The use of inhalers such as salbutamol, salmeterol, formoterol and vilanterol to treat asthma or lung conditions, should not be used around greyhounds as aerosolised medication increases the risk of cross contamination . Where dogs are medicated, extra care should be taken to prevent crossover of medicines between dogs kenneled together. Medicines must be stored and used in accordance with VMD (Veterinary Medicines Directorate) and GBGB Guidelines and their use must be recorded as per Rule 216; See: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/veterinary-medicines-guidance-notes- vmgns#using-medicines http://www.gbgb.org.uk/uploads/pdf/Trainers’%20Guide%20to%20Medication%20 Control%20in%20Greyhounds%202014.pdf Use of recreational drugs by staff can cause similar problems. The GBGB take all findings of drugs of abuse very seriously. Trainers should take precautions to avoid any exposure and the government has provided useful advice: http://www.hse.gov.uk/pubns/indg91.pdf Withdrawal Time – the GBGB Rules of Racing (Rule 217) imposes Strict Liability on Trainers to ensure that “all greyhounds are free of any substance or medication that could affect its performance or well-being the origin of which cannot be traced to normal and ordinary feeding” when they are presented to race or trial. The exceptions to the Rule are approved medicinal products for the suppression of oestrus, vaccines and anti-parasitic drugs licensed for use in dogs by the VMD and substances included in the GBGB list of Permitted Treatments. The Rules specify a minimum mandatory 7-day period between administration of medicine and a race or trial. Certain medicines may persist for longer such as some long acting or depot preparations and veterinary advice should be sought if these are prescribed for use. Specifically, Continued overleaf CALENDAR 1 meloxicam may persist for up to 25 days and should be avoided in dogs intended to race or trial within this timeframe. Supplements can be an unintentional source of a prohibited substance. Care should be taken in their use – a significant proportion are not subject to quality control and the composition of their contents cannot always be relied upon. If multiple supplements are given, their ingredients can add up to exceed ‘threshold’ levels of substances normally found in the body, because these elevated levels then become prohibited. Human and equine supplements and herbal products are not recommended for use in dogs as their safety cannot be guaranteed. Use of any unlicensed veterinary product is illegal, as is use of human medicines in animals, without a veterinary prescription, and not permitted under the Rules of Racing regardless of the claims made on the product. Internet availability of these products is putting trainers at risk because accurate advice is not usually available; your veterinary surgeon can advise on what is licensed for use in greyhounds in the UK and what is not. As with supplements, use of many unlicensed products increases risk of a ‘positive’ because they are very often not subject to quality control. Only medicines licensed by the VMD for use in dogs may be used, and if any other medicines are used they must be used only under the prescription of a veterinary surgeon. Day of race administration of, or exposure to, a prohibited substance is not permissible under the Rules of Racing and will increase the risk of a race day ‘positive’. Elective testing is an option if you have a concern about a specific substance in a specific greyhound which is entered to run. You can contact GBGB for advice on 020 7822 0900 or visit GBGB’s website (www.gbgb.org.uk) for further details. The GBGB wishes to thank the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board for their support and collaboration in providing International Harmonisation of Doping and Medication Advice. JOHANNA BEUMER MBE We were very sad to hear of the passing of Johanna Beumer MBE on Sunday. Johanna was an owner at Walthamstow for many years. Although she never had a great lot of success on the track as an owner, it was off the track that she emerged as a champion. A champion on behalf of retired greyhounds looking for their forever home. She often took greyhounds home herself to get them accustomed to their different environments, before they moved on to their new abode. She was a wonderful ambassador for the sport and the breed, and was eventually awarded the MBE in 2007 for her re- homing efforts. Finding a new home didn’t just end there though. She took the trouble to send a Christmas card to all the greyhounds she ever found a new home for. That in itself, gives an indication of what a truly wonderful and remarkable person she was. Her name will always be synonymous with retired greyhounds. 2 VOL 13 NO 2 29 JANAURY 2021 IMPORTANT NOTICES Complaints The Greyhound Board of Great Britain will receive complaints in confidence from anyone concerned about a possible breach of the Rules of Racing. Send emails to [email protected] or call the GBGB office on 020 7822 0900. Alternatively, write to: The Greyhound Board of Great Britain Ltd, Genesis House, 17 Godliman Street, London EC4V 5BD Welfare Hotline If you are concerned about the welfare of any registered racing greyhounds, please call our confidential Welfare Hotline on 020 7822 0917. The line is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You will be prompted to leave a voicemail message giving as much information as you can so that our team can investigate your concerns fully and ensure appropriate action is taken. The Disciplinary Committee wish to advise those appearing before them as “the affected person” that the Disciplinary Committee has the discretion to take account of any previous breaches of the rule(s) of racing which they consider are relevant to a case being heard before them irrespective of the date of commission of the breach.