In the wake of one jockey at Monmouth Park and another at Indiana Grand being suspended for possession of an illegal electrical device, known as a "buzzer," The Stronach Group sent an internal memo to its racing offices and veterinarians to be on the lookout for the devices.
On September 15, jockey Tomas Mejia was suspended for 10 years and fined US$5,000 by Monmouth Park stewards when it was found he had used a buzzer during a race there on Sept. 3. Additionally, a quarter-horse jockey at Indiana Grand, Samuel Mendez, was summarily suspended around the same time for what was reported to be possession of a buzzer.
These two incidents prompted Aidan Butler, chief operating officer of The Stronach Group, on September 30 to request racing officials and veterinarians to "be vigilant during training and racing in watching for these devices."
"If anyone observes horses that are acting unusually such as tail flagging among other behaviors, please follow-up with the exercise rider/jockey immediately," Butler wrote.
The Thoroughbred Daily News reported about the memo earlier Thursday.
The Stronach Group, which does business under the name 1/ST Racing, operates racetracks and training facilities in Florida, Maryland, and California. According to Butler, the memo was sent after consultation with horsemen's organizations in all three states.
"Electrical devices are illegal and will not be tolerated in racing, training or on site at any of our 1/ST racing or training locations," the memo reads. "Any exercise rider, jockey or horsemen who is found to be using any type of electrical device on a horse will receive a ban from all 1/ST Racing and Training facilities and be escorted off the premises immediately.
"Enough is enough."
