Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has named the members of its newly-established Medical Advisory Committee, a group of leading medical professionals with a broad range of specialties from across the United States who will provide expert guidance on matters related to jockey health, safety and well-being, a press release from the regulator said on Thursday. The committee will advise HISA's executive team and standing committees by offering recommendations on best practices for jockey safety, reviewing proposed rules and providing insight on medical protocols involving jockey care, injury prevention,...

A new minimum reporting level (MRL) for the banned substance metformin has been proposed by HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Committee, according to a HISA release Monday. The proposed MRL is 4.0 nanograms per milliliter in blood and is based on recommendations received at HISA and HIWU's request from the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium's (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The modification will be circulated for public comment in the coming days. Following a series of positive test results for metformin and what Monday's HISA release called, "intelligence received...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appeal level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) over a contested clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course in 2024, on Thursday had the judge in his lawsuit deny a request for a preliminary injunction for the second time in five months. In explaining his decision, the judge in charge of the case, David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern...

The Breeders' Cup has released an outline of its safety and integrity protocols ahead of the upcoming championship weekend at Del Mar in a press release issued Wednesday. Out-of-competition testing for the event began in July with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, in collaboration with the Breeders' Cup Veterinary Team, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, HISA, and the California Horse Racing Board, conducting OOC testing for banned substances of potential contenders. Del Mar Track Superintendent Dennis Moore and Turf Course Superintendent John Beggin have worked closely with Dr. Mick Peterson,...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Jockeys' Guild, in partnership with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, co-hosted a mental health roundtable on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in the U.S. Capitol. The event brought together jockeys and professional athletes from women's soccer and football to share their personal experiences and highlight both the common and unique mental health challenges they face. "We are committed to keeping the dialogue going on mental health challenges for professional jockeys," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "The more we talk about it, the more jockeys...

The latest twist in the legal odyssey involving Phil Serpe and the agencies that regulate racing at the federal level was made public late on Tuesday, when the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) issued an order staying the issuance of a $25,000 fine that had been imposed against the veteran Thoroughbred trainer barely one day earlier by an administrative law judge (ALJ). That ALJ, Jay Himes, had been assigned by the FTC itself to adjudicate Serpe's FTC-level appeal of banned-substance charges. In addition to re-imposing the fine that the Horseracing Integrity...

The administrative law judge (ALJ) handling Phil Serpe's appeal to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) stemming from a two-year suspension imposed by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case has upheld the sanctions imposed against the veteran trainer. However, Jay Himes, the ALJ, also wrote in his Sept. 12 decision that he would "modify the award to add a $25,000 fine against Serpe," even though the ALJ also ruled that, "I hold without merit Serpe's argument that he is entitled to a jury...

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on Tuesday opened a two-week public commentary period for a number of proposed Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) rule changes. The modifications would affect the Rule 8000 Series, which outlines enforcement procedures, violations, sanctions, investigatory powers, and hearing processes for alleged violations of HISA regulations. Rules related to anti-doping and medication control are excluded from this round of proposed changes, because they are covered separately in the 3000 Series. Selected highlights of the proposed changes, as explained in the Sept. 9 Federal Register notice...

Applications are now being accepted for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Next Generation Advisory Group. Members serve staggered terms of 18 to 36 months. As the group's initial 18-month terms conclude, HISA is beginning the process of rotating members off to welcome new voices and ideas into the group. HISA is seeking applicants in the early to mid-stages of their professional careers who bring a wide range of experience in Thoroughbred horse racing and who engage with HISA's rules. Advisory Group members are expected to join monthly meetings with...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who has an appeal pending with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in an attempt to overturn a two-year suspension imposed in July by a Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) arbitrator over a contested clenbuterol positive case from last summer at Saratoga Race Course, is also seeking to renew his request for a preliminary injunction in a 10-month-old lawsuit against the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and the FTC. A key issue in Serpe's federal court filing is the fact that HIWU and HISA did not...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has established a Racing Office Advisory Group comprised of senior racing officials from racetracks across the country, the organization announced Wednesday. The group will provide feedback to HISA's executive team and Standing Committees on rules, processes and operational practices affecting Thoroughbred racing officials nationwide. "Racing offices are integral to the successful implementation of HISA safety and integrity rules," said HISA Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern. "By establishing this group, we are making a direct channel available for racing office professionals to share their...

Everett Dobson has been on the job as the Chair of The Jockey Club for only a matter of days, but there's no doubt that he has his finger on the pulse. Making his first keynote speech at the Round Table Conference on Matters Pertaining to Racing on Thursday in Saratoga Springs, Dobson spoke of the many positive trends he sees with the sport, but he wasn't afraid to delve into the negative issues that still plague racing. "Racing has never been safer for our horses and jockeys," Dobson said....