Lexington, KY — Long time regulatory veterinarian and now Executive Director of the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, Dr. John Chancey is the new Chair of the Drug Testing Standards and Practices Committee of the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI).

Dr. Chancey replaces Duncan Patterson, the Chair of the Delaware Thoroughbred Racing Commission, who will now lead the ARCI Continuing Education Committee going forward.

RCI Chair Tom Sage of Nebraska thanked Mr. Patterson for his service on the committee and to the Association.

“Duncan has been a great steward for the Association, but the time has come to put a veterinarian in charge of this committee as well as someone with direct experience not limited to only Thoroughbred racing.

“With the role now being played in the US by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, this committee must recommend equine welfare and anti-doping policies that are applicable to all horses regardless of breed. Dr. Chancey is the right person to lead this committee.”

For over 80 years the ARCI, through its Model Rules, has been a beacon of best practice regulatory standards. The standards are not mandatory, although most state racing commissions have implemented many if not all of the medication control and anti-doping standards. For Thoroughbred racing, HISA’s rules have displaced state rules and departed from ARCI standards, although there remain some similarities.

Sage said the Association will continue to develop and advocate for those standards in all breeds as it has always done and welcomes input from all.