The HISA Newsletter

March 28, 2024

Dear Thoroughbred racing participants,

As many in the industry recognize, it will continue to take a collaborative effort from stakeholders across the sport to further enhance safety and integrity in racing. This week, the industry took a major step forward thanks to the work of officials at top equine sales companies who came together to meet the moment.

Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company, and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company have agreed to align and strengthen their medication policies to establish uniform consistency in horse sales throughout U.S. racing. These changes, in line with HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, come as a result of discussions HISA initiated with the sales companies last fall as part of our strategic response, with the goal of more effectively aligning and coordinating anti-doping and medication control efforts throughout the lifetime of a horse. HISA applauds this development and thanks the sales companies for supporting integrity in the sport and for protecting the health of horses.

Another area where we would like to see industry collaboration is in maintaining backstretches free of potential contaminants. The burden for doing so should not fall on trainers alone. All racing stakeholders need to play their part, which is why we’re encouraging anyone who observes contamination risks at racetracks to please email HISA at keepitclean@hisaus.org with any photos or concerns. We will keep the source of all such communications strictly confidential.

I thank each of you for your continued support and cooperation as we ambitiously work to make racing even safer in 2024.

Yours in racing,

Lisa

Sales Companies Further Align on Medication Policies for Thoroughbred Auctions 

This week, Keeneland Association, Fasig-Tipton Company, and Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS) jointly announced enhanced medication policies designed to safeguard the welfare of the horse while creating greater clarity and consistency among the nation’s three major U.S. Thoroughbred auction houses.

These proactive measures, set to take effect July 1, are the result of ongoing discussions between the three sales companies, begun last October at the invitation of HISA, who attended the initial meeting.

The new rules enhance current medication policies, reducing the number of permitted therapeutic medications while increasing the number of prohibited medications to include all substances currently banned under HISA’s ADMC Program. The penalties for violation of rules will also be increased.

HISA Participates in RMTC Regulatory Veterinarian Continuing Education Conference

On March 18 and 19, HISA Director of Equine Safety & Welfare Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Compliance Veterinarian Dr. Karen Hassan and HIWU Director of Equine Medical Resources Dr. Patti Marquis attended the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) RegVet Continuing Education conference at Santa Anita Park, where Dr. Hassan hosted a session on HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program Track Accreditation. Also in attendance were HISA Racetrack Safety Committee Chair Dr. Susan Stover and HISA ADMC Committee member Dr. Lynn Hovda.

Dr. Sara Langsam and RMTC Executive Director Dr. Michael Hardy, both members of the HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group, hosted sessions as well. For a full list of speakers and the conference agenda, please click here.

HISA Hosts Town Hall Webinar with Trainers Ron Moquett and Dale Romans

On March 11, HISA hosted its latest Town Hall to discuss its ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs, a video recording of which is available online for those who were unable to join. HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus was joined by trainers Ron Moquett and Dale Romans, both members of HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group.

In addition to asking questions of one another, the group also responded to questions from racing participants who attended virtually. Among the many discussed topics were HISA’s pro bono representation program for ADMC cases, HISA’s support of segmented hair sample analysis in cases involving substances like clenbuterol, which can remain in a horse’s system for a significant period, and horsemen’s interest in sales companies complying with enhanced ADMC rules.

HISA Hosts Congressional Staff Briefing with Reps Andy Barr and Paul Tonko

On March 6, Lazarus held a virtual briefing with U.S. congressional staffers on HISA’s operations and progress, a video recording of which is available online. Representatives Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY), who led the passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act in the U.S. House of Representatives, each spoke to the vital importance of HISA in helping to secure a safer and more prosperous future for racing.

Lisa Lazarus Speaks at MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference

On March 1, Lazarus participated in a panel on sports league innovations, alongside representatives from Major League Soccer, the National Football League and the National Basketball Association, at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference in Boston. Lazarus discussed how HISA is using cutting-edge data, technology and analytics to identify factors contributing to equine injuries and create tools to help prevent them. A video recording of the conference panel is available online here.

Submit Your Applications to Join Horsemen’s Advisory Group Through April 5

Earlier this month, HISA announced it is accepting applications for experienced industry experts to join HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group (“HAG”), with a start date of May 1, 2024, when five current members will rotate off the committee.

HISA formed the HAG in 2022 to provide formal feedback to HISA’s executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of its rules and regulations. Participation in HAG is on a rotating basis to facilitate the introduction of new perspectives.

Racing participants who wish to be considered for membership in the HAG should email horsemenadvisory@hisaus.org indicating their interest and qualifications by next Friday, April 5, 2024. Applicants should also indicate whether they would like to be considered for the next round of openings in November 2024, should they not be selected to join in May 2024.

HAG members are expected to join monthly virtual (and occasionally in-person) meetings with HISA leadership to provide feedback on HISA’s rules and processes, as well as be available to weigh in on time-sensitive issues affecting horsemen as needed.

The HAG has been responsible for recommending a number of substantive modifications to HISA’s rules that were ultimately approved by HISA’s Board of Directors, including, but not limited to, proposed amendments to the horseshoe rule, provisional suspensions, transfer testing and inadvertent contamination caused by human medications. Its membership includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, and a racing office representative who collectively represent a wide variety of viewpoints across racing.

HISA to Announce Membership of Next Generation Advisory Group

Next month, HISA plans to announce the membership of its newly established Next Generation Advisory Group following a selection process in which potential candidates submitted a formal application indicating their interest and qualifications. HISA was overwhelmed by the nearly 200 applications received from highly qualified candidates. We are delighted to see that there are so many in the next generation who are interested in contributing to racing’s success. As it was a highly competitive process, if you were not selected, please do continue to stay engaged with HISA and consider applying again in the future.

The Next Generation Advisory Group will be comprised of individuals in the early to mid-stages of their professional careers and will provide feedback to HISA’s executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of HISA’s regulations and protocols.

HISA to Issue First Annual Metrics Report

Pursuant to its data disclosure policy announced last year, HISA will soon publish a formal report which will include an analysis of available Racetrack Safety data for calendar year 2023.

Included in the report will be the 2023 equine fatality rate which, as HISA announced at the end of February, was 1.23 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts at racetracks operating under HISA’s rules. This rate is down from the national rate reported by The Jockey Club in its Equine Injury Database (EID) in 2022 (1.25 per 1,000 starts) and 2023 (1.32 per 1,000 starts) and is significantly lower than the 2023 rate of such fatalities in states not operating under HISA’s regulations (1.63 per 1,000 starts).

Data concerning the ADMC Program will be published by HIWU, as detailed in HIWU’s update below.

HIWU Update

From the desk of Ben Mosier, Executive Director, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit:

HIWU looks forward to publishing its first annual report in the coming weeks. This comprehensive resource will include detailed statistics on testing operations, results management, adjudication proceedings and more. It will highlight the accomplishments of the HIWU team in 2023 and the effort required to launch Thoroughbred racing’s first national, uniform anti-doping and medication control program.

Starting in 2024, HIWU’s annual report will be supplemented by the addition of quarterly statistics on our website. This data will provide snapshots of HIWU’s operations throughout the year.

Once our annual report has been released, we encourage anyone with questions to reach out to us at info@hiwu.org.

Vets’ List Testing

Vets’ List testing is an important aspect of the ADMC Program. To be released from the Vets’ List, all Covered Horses must pass a veterinary examination conducted by a regulatory veterinarian, complete a Vets’ List Workout within the prescribed time requirements, and pass a Vets’ List Test.

Important information to know about Vets’ List Testing:

• Vets’ List samples are subject to the same testing regulations as Post-Race samples EXCEPT for furosemide. Furosemide MAY be administered in advance of a Vets’ List Workout.
• Vets’ List samples are collected after the completion of the Vets’ List Workout. Generally, only blood is collected.
• The regulatory veterinarian is responsible for notifying HIWU at least 48 hours in advance of the desired workout day and time. Thus, horsemen must make their request to work the horse for removal from the Vets’ List known to the regulatory veterinarian in advance.
• Sample collection occurs after the Vets’ List Workout regardless of whether the horse passes or fails the veterinary examination.
• There is no cost for a horse’s first Vets’ List Test. Any subsequent Vets’ List Tests for that horse within a 12-month period are $200 per test.

In recognition of the need for quick turnaround times on test results to enable horses to be eligible to race, a laboratory must report negative results to HIWU within five business days of the laboratory’s receipt of the sample, unless an extension is approved by HIWU. HIWU takes these contractual deadlines seriously and holds the Laboratories accountable for meeting them. HIWU reviews all laboratory results before providing notification to the regulatory veterinarian, who then notifies the trainer. HIWU is currently exploring ways to improve the efficiency of the process.

Given these timelines, HIWU urges horsemen to consider weekends, public holidays, and the entry date of the targeted race for the horse that is on the Vets’ List when scheduling Vets’ List Workouts.

To assist regulatory veterinarians with scheduling Vets’ List tests, HIWU has an electronic request form and offers a Support Line for Regulatory Vets and Sample Collection Personnel that is available 20 hours a day, seven days a week: (816) 800-8152. If a horseman is concerned about the status of a Vet’s List result where the turnaround time has exceeded five business days, he or she may contact the regulatory veterinarian who oversaw the testing. The vet can then reach out to HIWU’s Results Management team for an update.

A summary of requirements for Vets’ List Workouts versus routine workouts can be found here.

Thank you again for all you do to ensure that we're moving forward together. 

Lisa Lazarus
CEO
HISA