HISA to Host Town Hall on Racetrack Safety Rule Updates on July 8
June 20, 2024 (Lexington, KY) – The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) will host the next virtual webinar in its Town Hall series on July 8 at 2:00 p.m. EDT to discuss the updated Racetrack Safety Rules recently approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which will take effect that day.
The one-hour, live webinar will include an overview of some of the major rule changes, along with a Q&A session, and will be open to racing participants and the general public. HISA will also be hosting veterinary and trainer specific webinars on June 27 and July 1, respectively, in addition to having hosted a webinar tailored to stewards on June 17.
“We look forward to having an insightful session on the updates to the Racetrack Safety Rules,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Protecting the health and wellbeing of every horse and jockey is paramount to our mission at HISA, and these updates continue our collective journey towards a safer sport. We thank the many stakeholders whose constructive feedback helped us develop these rule modifications and greatly appreciate the industry’s continued support and collaboration.”
In addition to Lazarus, speakers include:
- Jennifer Durenberger, HISA Director of Equine Safety & Welfare
- Marc A. Guilfoil, HISA Director of Stewarding & State Racing Commission Relations
- Ann McGovern, HISA Director of Racetrack Safety
As previously announced, the changes include:
- Updated void claim rule
- A second waiver claiming option
- Changes to certain intra-articular injection standdown times
- Updates to prohibited practices
- Updates to qualifications for placement on and removal from the vets’ list
- Enhanced safety protocols required at race meets
The recently approved updates to the Racetrack Safety Rules are available in full here.
To register for the July 8 town hall, please click here or copy and paste the link below in your browser:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3617187395716/WN_joSYqhmEQPuPqY5H2742eQ
For those unable to attend the live session, a recording of the town hall will be available on www.hisaus.org shortly after the event’s conclusion.
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About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority
When the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, 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 on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which went into effect on May 22, 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 includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.
MEDIA CONTACT
Mandy Minger
917-846-8804