As a result of continued instances where horses are presented to race with cobalt levels above the allowable threshold, trainers are once again reminded of their obligations under the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) to present a horse to race free of prohibited substances.

Cobalt, present on race day above a level of 100 µg/L in an equine urine sample or above 25 µg/L in an equine blood sample, is a prohibited substance.

Cobalt is a naturally occurring and essential trace element required for normal physiological functions. It is present in horse’s typical diet and is also present in a number of oral and injectable vitamin and mineral supplements administered to horses. Cobalt is also a core element of vitamin B12.

Despite there being no therapeutic rationale for the use of injectable cobalt or vitamin B12 containing products in horses, registered supplements containing cobalt and vitamin B12 are widely used in the harness racing industry.

Trainers are advised:

  • That a typical daily diet is more than sufficient to meet a horse’s nutritional requirements for cobalt and vitamin B12;
  • There have been no reported cases of cobalt deficiency in horses;
  • There is no nutritional, medical or welfare justification for the administration of cobalt or vitamin B12 by injection to a horse at any time.
  • To avoid the simultaneous use of multiple supplements containing cobalt and/or vitamin B12.

Trainers should also be aware that vitamin B12 can be displayed on products as the active constituents cyanocobalamin or hydroxocobalamin, which means such products have the potential to increase cobalt levels in a horse’s urine and blood.

Below is a list of widely available injectable products that trainers should be aware contain the above active constituents:

  • Nature Vet (NV) V.A.M.
  • NV Vitamin B12
  • NV Tripart
  • NV COpHOS B
  • NV Folic Acid & Vitamin B12
  • NV Vitamin B Complex
  • Troy B-Complex
  • Troy Vitamin B12
  • Troy Folic-B12
  • Troy Hemoplex
  • Troy B-Phos
  • Troy Dynajec
  • Bayer Coforta
  • Value Plus Vitamin B12
  • Value Plus Folic B12
  • Richtafort Phosphorus 125 + Vitamin B12
  • Ranvet Foliphos
  • Ranvet Macrofol
  • Jurox Aminoplex
  • Jurox Enerselen
  • Amino-Lite 34x

*This list is not exhaustive.

Trainers should ensure that their supplementation and/or feeding practices do not bring about a breach of the rules. If trainers have a concern about their supplementation regime, notably in relation to the substances discussed and listed above, they should consult their vet or the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Integrity Department on 8378 0200.