What is cobalt? An explanation of the drug that has rocked racing

THE drug at the centre of the Peter Moody case — cobalt — has been the cause of much debate within the racing industry. So what is it?

THE drug at the centre of the Peter Moody case — cobalt — has been the cause of much debate within the racing industry. So what is it?

The Australian rules of racing state cobalt is a naturally occurring trace element which may normally be present in horses at very low levels as a result of the ingestion of feedstuffs that contain it in trace amounts. Cobalt is also present in the structure of vitamin B12.

The Australian Racing Board says it is known that excessive amounts of cobalt have an effect on the blood system, increasing red blood cells and haemoglobin within the body.

When more red blood cells are generated then there is a greater ability to carry oxygen through the body and thus allow peak performance levels to be maintained for longer.

Cobalt can be administered to horses as a powder, feed supplement or injection.

However, excessive amounts of the substance in the system can lead to severe side effects, including damaging the thyroid, cardiovascular system, nerve problems, and blood thickening.

The ARB informed trainers that from January 1, 2015, a threshold of 200 micrograms per litre would be adopted as a rule of racing AR. 178C (1).

It stated: “A threshold level has been introduced into the Rules of Racing to recognise that cobalt can be present at very low levels when naturally occurring or as a result of routine nutritional sources

“This threshold has been determined following a national survey of the racing horse population which measured cobalt levels in normal racehorses during training and racing.

“The threshold has been set at a level to allow for normal levels of cobalt supplementation through routine nutritional sources. However, trainers are advised that the administration, particularly by injection and on multiple occasions, of certain registered vitamin supplements close to racing may result in a level of cobalt in a subsequent sample that exceeds this threshold.

Trainers are therefore advised to avoid the use of these supplements close to racing.”

The Moody-trained Lidari produced a reading of 380 micrograms per litre of urine when he ran second in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes in October 2014.

Originally published as What is cobalt? An explanation of the drug that has rocked racing