HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY

HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY SUBJECT TO FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION OVERSIGHT, THE HORSERACING INTEGRITY AND SAFETY AUTHORITY IS CHARGED WITH RECOMMENDING AND IMPLEMENTING UNIFORM SAFETY AND INTEGRITY RULES IN THOROUGHBRED RACING. HISA IS IMPLEMENTING, FOR THE FIRST TIME, A NATIONAL, UNIFORM SET OF RULES APPLICABLE TO EVERY THOROUGHBRED RACING PARTICIPANT AND RACETRACK FACILITY. HISA IS COMPRISED OF TWO PROGRAMS: THE RACETRACK SAFETY PROGRAM, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT ON JULY 1, 2022, AND THE ANTI-DOPING AND MEDICATION CONTROL (ADMC) PROGRAM, WHICH WENT INTO EFFECT ON MAY 22, 2023. THE RACETRACK SAFETY PROGRAM INCLUDES OPERATIONAL SAFETY RULES AND NATIONAL RACETRACK ACCREDITATION STANDARDS THAT SEEK TO ENHANCE EQUINE WELFARE AND MINIMIZE EQUINE AND JOCKEY INJURY. THE PROGRAM EXPANDS VETERINARY OVERSIGHT, IMPOSES SURFACE MAINTENANCE AND TESTING REQUIREMENTS, ENHANCES JOCKEY SAFETY, REGULATES RIDING CROP USE AND IMPLEMENTS VOIDED CLAIM RULES, AMONG OTHER IMPORTANT MEASURES.