I can't speak for other countries, but I'm glad there are more regulations at least. We DO use drugs on the horses here, painkillers to make them sound for running, etc. It should not be allowed. One of my main beefs, besides general treatment, is that they are racing the horses so young. It often cripples them to put so much stress on their growing bodies, and most Off Track thoroughbreds I know have some kind of problem from their racing career (I own horses, so I've got a few hands in the general horse industry). They race them hard young and then dump them after they're not good enough any more.

This is of course a generalization, and I do know there are good jockeys and good owners and whatnot. I've seen a few myself - though I do think that here, at least a little bit of that jockey dedication comes from that $$$ they bring in

I'd be interested in looking into it more overseas. It sounds like a much more pleasant operation over there!