January 23, 2024 (Lexington, KY) – Veterinarian Dr. Michael Hardy has joined HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group, the body of racing industry participants 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 Horsemen’s Advisory Group continues to provide HISA with invaluable input, and we’re thrilled to have Dr. Michael Hardy join the group. In recent months, the Group has been having significant conversations revolving around veterinary protocols and scratches, and we believe it would be beneficial to include a regulatory veterinarian in these critical discussions. Having Dr. Hardy’s voice as a former regulatory veterinarian with a strong understanding of everything that entails is important to us,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We strive to build a program that is fair and considers the perspectives of all stakeholders. We welcome Dr. Hardy to participate and share his insights.”

Dr. Michael Hardy graduated from Purdue University School of Veterinary Medicine in 2006. In 2008, he began his career as a racing regulatory veterinarian for the Kentucky Horseracing Commission. For 11 years, he served as the Chief Association Veterinarian, then transitioned to the role of Safety Director for Horseshoe Indianapolis. Dr. Hardy is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Racetrack Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC). He is also a member of the Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Panel, and has served on the Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee and RegVets Continuing Education Program’s Committee for the RMTC.

“It’s certainly an honor to be asked to serve the racing industry in this capacity. It goes without saying the role of the equine veterinarian is critical to the success of horse racing,” said Dr. Hardy. “I look forward to sharing perspective and insight into the unique responsibilities of the racing regulatory veterinarian. Relentless pursuit of a clean and safe sport for our equine and human athletes demands the collaborative efforts of all involved.”

 

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

mandy.minger@hisaus.org

917-846-8804