Workers in the racing industry across Australia have reported that horses are being routinely drugged with substances like acepromazine for track work, posing a safety risk to riders and horses. Racing Australia has acknowledged awareness of this practice and is collecting data to understand its prevalence. The use of acepromazine is considered a breach of racing rules if not prescribed by a veterinarian and not appropriately recorded.

Some workers in the industry have expressed concerns about the safety of riders on drugged horses, stating that the practice is a disaster waiting to happen. The use of acepromazine is said to be common in the industry, with horses being sedated before track work at some stables. The lack of adequate training for horses and riders is cited as a reason for the reliance on sedatives like acepromazine.

Experts and insiders in the industry have called for more regulations on the use of tranquillisers like acepromazine, as well as improved training and welfare conditions for racehorses. The practice of routinely drugging horses for track work is seen as a bandaid solution that does not address the underlying issues of horse welfare and training. Some workers believe that horses should be allowed to live in open paddocks and receive proper training to prevent the need for sedatives.