To all Equine Owners, Managers, and other Stakeholders, 

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) wishes to remind all stakeholders of an important amendment to the Rules regarding Equine Influenza vaccination. 

Notice is hereby given that the One Hundred and Forty Third Annual General Meeting of Members will be held at the offices of The National Horseracing Authority of Southern Africa, Turffontein Racecourse, Turf Club Street, Turffontein, on Wednesday, 15 January 2025, at 11h00. 

To all trainers 

We would like to highlight crucial information from the NHA Laboratory concerning the detection of sub-therapeutic concentrations of anti-inflammatories in both race day and out-of-competition specimens. Our recent screening analysis has revealed a significant increase in the detection of anti-inflammatories, specifically MELOXICAM, FLUNIXIN, AND FLUMETHASONE, over the past few months compared to other times of the year. It is important to note that these levels remain below the thresholds established by both the NHA and IFHA and are therefore not enforceable at this time.

Please note this notice supersedes and replace a similar, previous NHA notice on Bisphosphonates, dated 2019. 

Bisphosphonates is a class of drug which prevents the loss of bone density in the racehorse.
These substances are prohibited substances within the Rules of the NHA:

73.4.1 Substances capable at any time of causing an action or effect, or both an action and effect:

… 73.4.1.6 the musculoskeletal system;