A pre-entry hair test will be mandatory for every Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa starting at any Oklahoma racetrack (Remington Park, Fair Meadows, or Will Rogers Downs). The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) will oversee and manage all collections.

No horse will be allowed to enter a race at any Oklahoma racetrack unless results of a negative hair test have been reported to the racetrack prior to entry. Each racetrack will establish a designated start date prior to the beginning of its respective race meet. Horses may be tested on or after that date to be eligible for participation in that meet. Every horse will be required to undergo testing at the start of each meet. The designated testing start date and expiration details will be determined by the racetrack and published in the condition book for that meet.

Note: These exclusions are specific to the racetrack implementing the policy. They are not regulatory suspensions and do not restrict participation at other tracks or jurisdictions, unless another track independently chooses to recognize the exclusions.

Horse:

Any horse with 1 official positive hair test will be excluded from participating at that racetrack for the remainder of the meet.

All horses with official positive test results will be publicly listed on www.OQHRA.com.

Trainer:

If 3 individual horses under a trainer’s care have an official positive hair test, that trainer will be excluded from participation at that racetrack for the remainder of the meet.

Excluded or Suspended trainers may not schedule hair tests at that racetrack.

Only the trainer of record may schedule a horse for hair testing. At the beginning of a meet, a trainer may designate one authorized staff member to assist with scheduling.

Owner:

If an Owner has 3 individual horses with an official positive hair test, that owner will be excluded from participation at that racetrack for the remainder of the meet.

Track Discretion:

The racetrack management at their discretion can exclude any owner or trainer from participation at their track based on any number of positive test(s) including those from another track or jurisdiction.

Official Tests: Results reported directly to the racetrack. The racetrack will notify the trainer only if the result is positive. No notification is issued for negatives. Results may take up to 10 business days.

Unofficial Tests: Results reported to OQHRA only. OQHRA will notify the trainer of both positive and negative results.

Public Disclosure: All horses with official positive test results will be listed on www.OQHRA.com.

Jurisdictional Sharing: OQHRA may share all official test results (positive and negative) with other racing jurisdictions upon request.

Farm Visits: OQHRA will schedule on-site collections for official tests in January, early February and August for farms located within Oklahoma that have at least 40 horses to test. A farm visit fee will apply.

Out-of-State Collections: OQHRA may honor tests collected by a regulatory veterinarian in another jurisdiction or previously collected test results. Contact OQHRA Hair Testing at (405) 881-5120 for approval.

Liability: OQHRA, Remington Park, Fair Meadows, and Will Rogers Downs assume no responsibility for test accuracy, timing, race payments, or financial consequences related to positive test results.

For more information:

OQHRA HAIR TESTING

 (405) 881-5120 • WWW.OQHRA.COM •  oqhrahairtest@oqhra.com

Unofficial hair tests are offered for informational purposes only. These tests are not valid for race eligibility, sale conditions, or any form of enforcement action.

Availability & Guidelines:

Yearlings may begin unofficial testing on August 15th
– Limit 2 tests per yearling
– A 60-day wait is required before re-testing after a positive result

2-year-olds and older can begin unofficial testing on November 1, 2025
– Only one unofficial test for 2yr olds and older

No kits shipped between December 19 – January 5

Last day to order a kit – February 1, 2026

All samples must be received by the lab no later than February 4, 2026

Any person who is ineligible to be licensed in the state of Oklahoma may not order a kit.

Ordering & Cost:

Cost: $185 per kit

How to order:
– Call the OQHRA Hair Testing line (405) 881-5120
– Visit oqhra.com

Kit pick-up options:
– Available at Ruidoso and Heritage Place  sales
– Or shipped via mail upon request

Important Notes:

There is no requirement for who collects the hair sample.

These are not official tests. OQHRA cannot certify that the correct horse was tested, and no official identification is verified.

Unofficial test results are sent only to OQHRA, which will notify the trainer of the results—positive or negative.

These tests will not be recognized:
– For race entry at any race track
– By sale companies, consignors, or buyers
– Tests are informational use only and  should not be used as a substitute for official hair testing protocols.

Sale Company Testing Options:

Many public auction companies offer official hair testing as a buyer protection service. These tests are conducted under certified conditions and are often part of the sale terms and conditions. A positive result on an official sale-company-administered test may nullify the sale of the horse and entitle the buyer to a full refund of the purchase price.

Anyone purchasing a horse at public auction is strongly encouraged to inquire directly with the sale company regarding the availability, process, and impact of official hair testing prior to bidding or finalizing a purchase.

1. What horses must be hair-tested before they race in Oklahoma?

Every Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa that will start at Remington Park, Fair Meadows, or Will Rogers Downs must have an official pre-entry hair test on file for that meet.

2. Who manages the hair-testing program?

The Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA) coordinates all scheduling, kit distribution, collections, and reporting for both official and unofficial tests.

3. How do I schedule an official hair test?

Only the trainer of record (or one staff member they designate at the start of the meet) may schedule a horse through the OQHRA Hair Testing line (405-881-5120). Dates and locations are posted on oqhra.com.

4. What happens if a horse’s official test is positive?

Horse: Excluded from that track for the rest of the meet and listed publicly on oqhra.com. Trainer: If three or more of their horses test positive, the trainer is excluded from participating at that racetrack for the remainder of the meet..
Owner: Any owner who has 3 or more horses with an official positive test will be excluded from participating at that racetrack for the remainder of the meet.
Important: These exclusions apply only at the track that issued them; they are not formal suspensions in other jurisdictions unless another track chooses to honor them.

5. What is an unofficial hair test and why would I order one?

Unofficial tests are information-only screens—useful for buyers or trainers who are vetting new purchases or transfers. They do not count for race entry, sale conditions, or enforcement.

Unofficial Test – Key Details

Availability: Aug 15 – Feb 1
Yearlings: Aug 15 – Feb 1 (max 2 tests, 60-day wait after positive)
2-year-olds+: Nov 1 – Feb 1 (one test)
Cost: $185 per kit
How to order: Call the Hair Testing line (405) 881-5120 or order online at oqhra.com Pick-up: Kits at Ruidoso & Heritage Place sales or shipped by mail
Collection: Anyone may collect; no ID verification
Results: Sent to OQHRA, which notifies the trainer (positive and negative)
Deadline: Lab must receive samples by Feb 4, 2026

6. Do sale companies offer hair tests?

Yes. Most major public auctions provide official buyer-protection hair tests. A positive on those sale-company tests can void the sale and trigger a full refund of the purchase price. Always ask the sale company about testing options before bidding.

7. How long do official test results take and who gets them?

Results are sent directly to the racetrack and typically take up to 10 business days from lab receipt. Trainers are notified only if the result is positive. Negative test results must be back before a horse is eligible to enter. A horse will not be allowed to enter if test results are pending.

8. Can I use an out-of-state or previously collected hair test?

Possibly. We may accept tests collected by a regulatory veterinarian in another jurisdiction. Contact OQHRA Hair Testing (405-881-5120) for pre-approval before assuming they’ll be valid.

9. Is farm-site collection available?

Yes. OQHRA will make January, early-February, and August farm visits for official tests within Oklahoma if at least 40 horses need sampling. A farm-visit fee applies.

10. What liability does OQHRA or the tracks assume?

None. OQHRA and the racetracks do not guarantee test accuracy, timing, or acceptance, and they are not liable for race payments, sale refunds, or any financial or reputational consequences tied to test results.

11. Where can I see a list of horses with positive official tests?

A current roster is maintained at www.oqhra.com.

12. Who should I contact for more information?

Hair Testing Scheduling & Questions: 405-881-5120 Website & Forms: oqhra.com
General Policy Inquiries: oqhrahairtest@oqhra.com