Dear Thoroughbred race participants,
I am pleased to share that HISA’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control (ADMC) regulations have received final approval from the Federal Trade Commission and are effective immediately. Starting today, all races under HISA’s jurisdiction will be run under a comprehensive, uniform ADMC Programme, ushering in a new era in Thoroughbred racing.
This is a historic moment for our sport and first of all I want to thank everyone in the racing industry who has worked tirelessly to make this important day possible. For the first time, race participants will operate under uniform testing and practice standards developed to strengthen horse welfare and ensure greater fairness in competition. Clear and consistent penalties for rule violations under the ADMC Program will increase public confidence in the sport for the vast majority of good faith and rule-following riders, while holding bad players accountable for their actions.
I have great confidence in the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), the independent director of the ADMC Program, led by Executive Director Ben Mosier. HIWU has spent months preparing the industry for this important transition by meeting with industry stakeholders, including riders, veterinarians, state racing commissions and laboratories, and publishing a growing report. online educational resources library. For anyone who may have missed HIWU’s training sessions, Dr. Mary Scollay’s full presentation on the ADMC Program available online and HIWU and HISA staff remain available to answer questions at any time. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. JavaScript must be enabled to view. and/or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. JavaScript must be enabled to view..
HIWU is getting to work quickly today with the rollout of a paperless pick system in test warehouses across the country. This new paperless system will streamline and modernize the collection process and bring transparency and consistency to the sample collection chain of custody. In the weeks and months to come, industry participants will begin to see firsthand how the ADMC Program’s uniform Prohibited Substance Lists, standardized laboratory result turnaround times, strategic noncompetitive testing, and fair and prompt decision-making can significantly increase integrity in sport.
HIWU representatives will be present at indoor racetracks today, as they will be on all racetracks when they run their first races under the new rules, answering and supporting questions from collectors, racetrack staff and equestrians. I will be at the Parx today to attend the races, observe firsthand the implementation of the testing program and answer questions. I hope to see some of you there.
I would like to remind race participants that from today, compliance with HISA’s Registration and Racetrack Safety Rules, which first came into effect on July 1, 2022, will be required in order to participate in the race. Insured Persons must register themselves and their Insured Horses with the HISA Portal and have paid their delayed HISA penalties. Jockeys must also have entered on the portal their most recent baseline concussion test and physical examination dates, each of which must have taken place within the last 12 months. More information can be found on these requirements and how to comply with them. Here.
Anyone who needs assistance with the HISA Portal or has urgent questions about the ADMC Program is encouraged to call HISA’s 24/7 helpdesk at 1-877-513-2919.
As of today, all of HISA’s regulations are in effect thanks to the incredible collaboration of equestrians, racetracks and state racing commissions across the country. Thank you again and I look forward to continuing to work closely together in the years to come to continually improve HISA. Many in our sport have long called for uniformity in how we protect our equine athletes and demonstrate the integrity of the sport, and I am incredibly proud today that we have taken the first steps to make that dream a reality.