Maintaining integrity within the racing industry remains a top priority for OQHRA and Remington Park.

© Dustin Orona Photography

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK–JANUARY 8, 2025–The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA), in partnership with Remington Park, is preparing for the highly anticipated 2025 Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa Meeting. The meet will begin on March 6th and run through May 31st.

Maintaining integrity within the racing industry remains a top priority for both OQHRA and Remington Park. As part of this effort, OQHRA will continue conducting pre-race hair tests as a condition of entry. These tests, priced at $240, have become a cornerstone of ensuring a level playing field. 

For 2025, a significant new policy will further enhance these measures. Under this new house rule implemented by Remington Park, any horse that tests positive in a pre-race hair test will not be eligible for re-testing during the meet. Such horses must be removed from the grounds, a decisive step aimed at reinforcing fairness and maintaining the highest standards in horse racing.

OQHRA recognizes the unique challenges faced by horse owners and trainers, particularly when acquiring horses from sales or private individuals. Often, these new acquisitions come with limited knowledge about the horse's medical or treatment history, leaving owners and trainers uncertain about the horse’s eligibility for competition.

Compounding this issue, accredited laboratories are restricted to processing samples submitted exclusively through regulatory organizations, making it difficult for individuals to obtain reputable hair testing independently.

To bridge this gap, OQHRA is offering non-official hair test kits for purchase at $165 until February 1, 2025. These kits can be picked up at the Heritage Place Sale or mailed to horsemen. These non-official tests offer an accessible option, as they do not require collection by a veterinarian. Once completed, results will be confidentially reported to OQHRA and shared with the ordering owner or trainer.

However, it is important to note that these tests are not recognized as official conditions of entry and will not permit a horse to be entered at Remington Park but also would not disqualify a horse from future testing should a positive result occur. 

Official pre-race hair tests will remain valid for the duration of the 2025 Remington Park Spring Meet and will no longer have a 90-day expiration. Negative results are normally reported in 10 business days, however, tests requiring confirmation testing may take longer than 10 business days to report. A horse will not be allowed to enter before the results have been returned by the laboratory and it is the responsibility of the trainer to have a horse tested in time for the results to be returned prior to entry. 

As part of the official testing process, OQHRA will begin collecting official pre-race hair test samples at Remington Park during the first week of February. To provide added convenience for horsemen, OQHRA will once again offer on-site testing at farms across Oklahoma for trainers who have 40 or more horses to test. This service reflects OQHRA’s commitment to supporting horsemen and ensuring a smooth and efficient testing process.

As the 2025 meet approaches, OQHRA and Remington Park continue to work together to deliver a world-class racing experience. Their shared commitment to integrity, fairness, and participant welfare is unwavering. With these updates and initiatives, the upcoming season is poised to be one of the most exciting and well-regulated meets in Remington Park’s history.

OQHRA would like to remind owners who wish to have their accounts deducted to pay jockeys their percentage of Oklahoma-bred earnings that they must complete a designated election form. This form can be found at www.OQHRA.com or obtained at the Horsemen’s Bookkeeper’s Office.

Further updates and information about the 2025 meet will be shared in the weeks ahead. For additional inquiries regarding hair testing, please contact: (405) 881-5120.