trainers

Every week, the TDN posts a roundup of the relevant Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) related rulings from around the country. The following rulings were reported on HISA's "rulings" portal and through the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) "pending" and "resolved" cases portals. Resolved ADMC Violations Date: 04/30/2025 Licensee: Candalario Villamar, trainer Penalty: Disqualification of Covered Horse's Race results, including forfeiture of all purses and other compensation, prizes, trophies, points, and rankings and repayment or surrender (as applicable); a fine of $500; imposition of 1.5 Penalty Points. Final...

LEXINGTON, KY--During a Speaker Series focusing on HISA, one question opened the door to an in-depth discussion. How do we catch the bad actors in horse racing without placing a financial burden on the good guys? Trainer Dale Romans, the President of the Kentucky HBPA and a member of HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group, was the first to take a stab at the answer, acknowledging that it was the million-dollar question. "That's a lot of what HISA has been struggling with because it's just as important to make sure that someone...

The New York Racing Association (NYRA) is rolling out a participation incentive program for owner and trainers during the five-day 2025 Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course in early June, the track said in a release on Friday. Owners will be eligible for a starter bonus for horses finishing fourth through last with $1,500 awarded for stakes starters and $1,000 awarded to owners of starters in overnight races. Trainers whose horses start in stakes races that week will receive a $750 bonus, while a $500 bonus will be...

Edited Press Release The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is accepting new applications for experienced industry experts to join HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group to replace several members whose terms are up at the end of the year. The Advisory Group was formed by HISA in 2022 to provide formal feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The Advisory Group has been responsible for recommending a number of rule modifications that were...

Jockeys from all over the UK helped facilitate public engagement, especially with young people, during the fourth annual National Racehorse Week from Sept. 7-15. The week-long event is a nationwide celebration of the thoroughbred racehorse, giving the public a chance to attend 100+ free events. Over 13,800 free spaces at events were made available to the public and an additional 4,000 people are engaged through the 50 community events which have been taking place, 10 of which being school visits. Helping with an inner-city experience, jump jockey Charlie Todd visited...

The Legacy Pickleball Club will host "Pickle for the Ponies", a family-friendly pickleball tournament benefitting the PDJF and Therapeutic Horses of Saratoga. The event, held Monday, Aug. 26 from 3-6 p.m. at the Legacy Pickleball Club in Ballston Spa, NY, will offer spectators the chance to "meet racing celebrities and support two impactful causes." Celebrity players will include members of the Saratoga jockey colony, Hall of Fame jockeys, thoroughbred Hall racing trainers and media personalities. There will also be a silent auction onsite. "As an Ambassador for Therapeutic Horses of...

Ellis Park will host 'Breakfast with the Works', a family-friendly behind-the-scenes look at morning training ahead of the upcoming race meet. The free event, held Saturday, June 29 from 7-9:30 a.m., will include complimentary coffee and donuts while allowing guests an up-close look at horses during the morning training session. Guests will also be able to speak with local trainers who will be on site and register to win a signed Ellis Park saddle towel.

'Woodbine: Free Rein', a documentary series produced about womens' experiences in horse racing, has taken top honors at the Hashtag Sports Awards in New York, according to a release from the Woodbine communications office. Woodbine's content team, including producers Alanna Nolan and Nathan Riddell and director Jake Thompson, were recognized in the 'Best Women's Sports Content' category for episode four of 'Free Rein', entitled, The World-Class Women of Woodbine. The episode focused on the unique nature of horse racing, where women jockeys compete head-to-head with their male counterparts as well...

Edited Press Release The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is now accepting new applications for experienced industry experts to join HISA's Horsemen's Advisory Group. The Advisory Group was formed by HISA in 2022 to provide formal feedback to HISA's executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of its Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) regulations. The Advisory Group has been responsible for recommending a number of substantive modifications to the HISA Rules that were ultimately approved by the HISA Board. Now that 18 months...

On the surface, the case against trainer Jeffrey Englehart seems pretty cut and dried. He had a horse test positive for Clenbuterol, the bronchodilator that is on the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit's (HIWU) list of banned substances. Trainers found using banned substances can be suspended for up to two years. But Englehart, who races at the NYRA tracks and at Finger Lakes, is adamant that he never gave the drug to the horse in question. "We don't use Clenbuterol. Period," Englehart said. So is there more to this story?...

I appreciated Bill Finley's conversation with Alan Foreman on TDN Writers' Room. Your question to him about trainers who are not guilty of cheating hit home for me. As a trainer who is dealing with this same issue prior to HISA in the state of Florida, I was hoping to make a brief comment. The banned substances provisions are more complicated than they want it to be in an era where the testing has become so fine any trainer can get a banned substance positive at any time no matter...

The position of New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association (NYTHA) president is up for grabs at a time of great upheaval for horse racing in the state. Belmont Park is poised to undergo a $455-million overhaul, after which Aqueduct is set to close its doors. Within a few years, horse racing in New York will look drastically different to what it looks like today. This is also a period of tremendous existential challenge for the sport, as evidenced by a recent 60 Minutes expose on the industry's doping problems. Among the...