More than 70,000 Thoroughbred racing participants and administrators across the country have now registered with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), in compliance with HISA’s Registration Rule which went into effect on July 1, 2022. To date, 30,061 covered persons and 41,953 covered horses have been registered.
As <a href="https://hisaus.org/news/hisa-to-begin-using-cant-race-flags-to-enforce-racetrack-safety-and-registration-rules-beginning-march-27">previously announced</a>, HISA will require compliance with its Registration Rule in order to race beginning March 27. Covered Persons and Horses who are not in compliance with the rule will be unable to race until they register in the HISA Portal.
“Reaching 70,000 registered participants is a significant milestone,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We are grateful for the cooperation of the vast majority of racing participants under HISA’s jurisdiction who have now registered, and we strongly urge any who have not yet registered to do so by March 27 to remain able to race. With support from the racing community, we’re continuing to strengthen the safety and integrity of our great sport.”
Racing participants who have not yet registered themselves or their horses with HISA can do so at <a href="https://portal.hisausapps.org/registration">hisaus.org/registration</a>.
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About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA was created to implement, 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 July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which is anticipated to go into effect on March 27, 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.
The ADMC Program will create a centralized testing and results management process and apply uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms will be administered by a new independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders on the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential ADMC violations and prosecute any such violations.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mandy Minger
<a href="mailto:mandy.minger@hisaus.org">mandy.minger@hisaus.org</a>
917-846-8804