Racing Queensland Limited (RQL) wishes to
advise trainers that synephrine has
recently been detected in race day samples from horses competing in Queensland.
Synephrine is an ‘adrenergic stimulant’ known
to increase the metabolic rate and the breakdown of body fat. It is traditionally found in the peel extract
of citrus fruits, but also occurs in several plant species including the plant
known as the common rush (Juncus usitatus),
as well as the leaves of citrus trees (e.g. orange, lemon, mandarin).
The Queensland Government Racing Science
Centre, the official racing laboratory in Queensland, has recently detected
synephrine in a feed additive product called “A. F. Factor”. It is likely that synephrine may also be found
in other similar products.
Trainers are hereby reminded that synephrine is a
prohibited substance and are advised to take all precautions to avoid
synephrine being detected in samples from competing horses.
