LAHORE, Nov 25: A drive aimed at curbing the menace of bogus pedigrees and streamlining thoroughbreds breeding will begin from Monday.

As a first step, the Jockey Club Of Pakistan (JCP) and Lahore Race Club (LRC) has made compulsory DNA testing and blood typing of all horses taking part in races.

A notification issued by the LRC has directed all owners and trainers to submit information about the pedigrees of their animals, age and birthplace including those of sires and mothers. LRC has also made arrangements to take blood samples of horses for DNA testing.

There are over 500 horses in the stables managed by the LRC.

There were allegations that thoroughbred colts/fillies/horses/ mares/geldings are being registered as halfbreds and imported animals as thoroughbred Pakistani through bogus pedigree documents.

There is one instance that an imported filly was registered as a half-bred mare. The owner was said to be a friend of then a federal minister. She won at least a dozen races when handicapped as a halfbred Pakistani mare. This set an ugly example for others to follow.—A.G