Ensuring a level playing field is essential for the well-being of our participants and the image of our racing among both punters and the broader community.

Harness racing is sometimes criticised or maligned when discussions of racing and drugs combine - but this is quite simply ignorant of the facts. More than 20,000 drug tests are performed each year, with a banned substance being detected less than 0.5% of the time.

The industry is heavily focused on integrity and is committed to identifying and penalising anyone breaching the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR), ensuring the safety of our participants - both two legged and four legged.

Harness racing integrity officers are constantly meeting the challenges presented by people prepared to engage in illegal activities and this includes world class drug controls with a commitment to the detection of doping agents and prohibited practices both in and out of competition.

This is clearly demonstrated via a total ban on race day medication as well as bans on anabolic agents throughout a horse's career to comply with the principles of ‘drug free’ racing.

People found in breach of these rules may have their license suspended or disqualified for period of time as well as facing pecuniary penalties.

This approach is to ensure that as far as is possible that:

• the integrity of racing is protected

• racing is conducted on a level playing field - free from the manipulation of results

• horses that are racing are free of masked injury and in excellent health

• horses race without the assistance of drugs

• racing is conducted safely, both with respect to horses and participants

• racing performances are reflective of the combined natural ability of horse, driver, trainer and conditions

  The most complete and up to date version of the prohibited substance rules can be found at Harness Racing Australia.