December 10, 2025 (Lexington, KY) – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) today announced the upcoming launch of the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing. Set to begin operations in early 2026, HERF’s mission is two-fold:
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<li>Support racehorses —with injuries sustained during races that historically have a positive prognosis for recovery—by ensuring immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation in order to facilitate a successful aftercare placement.</li>
<li>Enhance access to diagnostic imaging services and tools by expanding racetrack resources to prevent injuries.</li>
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HISA recognizes that timely intervention can save lives and improve outcomes for injured horses. HERF is designed to fill a specific gap by funding veterinary care—including surgeries with historically high success rates—and comprehensive rehabilitation for qualifying horses, with each case accompanied by a long-term care plan to ensure ongoing well-being. The voluntary program, entered into at the sole discretion of the owner, will also play a vital role in expanding knowledge around injury prevention to further protect the welfare of racehorses. HERF is also designed to remove some burden from the aftercare system by rehabilitating the horse and ensuring it is recovered before it enters aftercare.
“We are thrilled that this foundation has been formed to provide horses with the chance to recover from career-ending injuries. There are situations where costs and other considerations make it difficult for owners to pursue surgical interventions that can prevent unnecessary euthanasia,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “HERF will help fill that gap and will explore diagnostic tools and advanced testing to help horsemen identify at-risk horses sooner.”
A critical part of HERF&#8217;s mission will be to fund the retirement of horses whose lives are saved through medical intervention provided by HERF. HERF is looking forward to working closely with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), which has made tremendous strides in advancing the welfare of retired racehorses, and other vetted solutions on this effort.
“HERF&#8217;s primary objectives are logical extensions of HISA&#8217;s core mission to improve and enhance equine health, safety and welfare,“ said HISA Board member and HERF Chair Joe De Francis. “In order to maintain its social contract and continue business operations, the racing industry must take all reasonable steps to minimize racing-related equine fatalities, and the creation of HERF is a positive step towards that objective.”
A pilot program will launch in early 2026 in the Mid-Atlantic, supported by an initial donation of $100,000 generously gifted by Joe De Francis and Katherine Wilkins De Francis. Additional funds will be raised by HERF’s independent Board of Directors and distributed on a defined, case-by-case basis. All funds allocated to HERF will be raised exclusively from sources external to HISA and will be entirely separate from HISA’s operating budget. Additional racetracks will be onboarded in the second quarter of 2026.
HERF’s Board of Directors will consist of:
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<li>Joe De Francis (HISA Board member and HERF Chair)</li>
<li>Craig Bandoroff (owner of Denali Stud)</li>
<li>Andrew Beyer (Founder, Beyer Speed Figures)</li>
<li>Katherine Wilkins De Francis (Animal welfare activist and former racing executive)</li>
<li>Terry Finley (Founder, West Point Thoroughbreds)</li>
<li>David Ingordo (Bloodstock agent and manager Belladonna Racing)</li>
<li>Griffin Johnson (Influencer and racehorse owner)</li>
<li>Ron Moquett (Thoroughbred trainer)</li>
<li>David O’Rourke (CEO, New York Racing Association)</li>
<li>Sue Stover (Veterinarian, University of California, Davis; Chair of HISA’s Racetrack Safety Committee)</li>
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In addition to the Board of Directors, HERF will have an Advisory Council that will advise HERF on its protocols. The Advisory Council will consist of individuals with specific expertise in veterinary medicine and aftercare. Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Medical Officer of 1/ST Racing, will serve as Chair and Mike Rogers, Executive Vice President of 1/ST Racing, will serve as Vice Chair—bringing invaluable expertise from the successful programs established by 1/ST Racing in California, Florida and Maryland. HISA Communications Director Mandy Minger has been named Executive Director of HERF. For more information about HERF, or to inquire about supporting the foundation, please contact <a href="mailto:mandy.minger@hisaus.org">mandy.minger@hisaus.org</a>.
About the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation
The HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the welfare of Thoroughbred racehorses injured during racing. HERF provides critical financial and logistical assistance to reduce fatalities resulting from racing-related injuries and offers subsidies for advanced diagnostic testing to help prevent future injuries.