Horse racing-We must look at global drugs rules – UK chief

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April 26 (Reuters) - The Godolphin doping scandal should prompt international racing authorities to look at bringing consistency to the rules on using drugs, British Horseracing Authority (BHA) chief executive Paul Bittar said on Friday.

Godolphin trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni was disqualified for eight years on Thursday by the BHA after admitting administering anabolic steroids to 15 of the horses he trained in Newmarket, England for owner Sheikh Mohammed.

The rules vary around the world. In Australia, for example, the use of anabolic steroids is permitted out of competition.

The race-day use of anti-bleeder medication Lasix in the United States is also highly controversial in the sport and last month the Breeders' Cup announced it was rescinding its plan to bar the use of it in all of its 2013 races.

Zarooni admitted to making a catastrophic error but said he did not realise what he was doing was not allowed in Britain, where anti-doping rules are strict.

"I think it's pretty hard to take a dim view of athletes using performance-enhancing drugs and drugs that promote growth, such as anabolic steroids, and be critical of athletes using those drugs, but think it's acceptable for horses to be treated in that way," Bittar was quoted as saying on the BHA website (www.britishhorseracing.com).

"Having said that, the circumstances in Australia and other jurisdictions are different. We will certainly be using this case as an opportunity to put the consistent use of drugs internationally back on the agenda of the IFHA (International Federation of Horseracing Authorities).

"I'm very comfortable with the rules in Britain and I think we've got the best rules in the world in that regard," Bittar added.

The 15 horses Emirati Al Zarooni admitted doping, including leading 1,000 Guineas contender Certify, were banned from racing for six months.

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Horse racing-We must look at global drugs rules - UK chief