Informational Webinar for Trainers on Monday, July 1

A webinar for trainers will take place on Monday, July 1, at 2:00 pm ET. This session will cover the impact of the modified rules and will include a Q&A on the changes. To register for this webinar, click HERE. Questions can be submitted upon registration.

HISA has prepared educational materials about the new rules. Chief among the new rule changes are:

• An increased standdown time for fetlock corticosteroid injections, which will be 14 days before working and 30 days before racing. The standdown time is doubled from the previous rules.
• Horses placed on a vet’s list for unsoundness, injury or epistaxis are prohibited from breezing for 7 days.
• A Layoff Report will be required for a horse that has not raced for 150 days or more, effective July 8. This report is similar to that already in place throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. HISA will count July 8 as day 1. The requirement for submission of the form will begin December 5 for horses approaching their first Covered Race since at least July 8.

• Updates to current prohibited practices include that foals of 2023 or later (beginning with 2-year-olds of 2025) which have had their shins pin/freeze-fired will NOT be able to participate in Covered Races or Workouts.

• A post-workout blood test will be required for horses coming off the vet’s list for unsoundness, epistaxis, those that have not raced in over 365 days, or unraced 4-year-olds.

HISA has updated its Trainer Handbook with these new rules. Click here to access the new handbook.

HISA Town Hall Set for Monday, July 8

HISA’s Town Hall series will continue on Monday, July 8, at 2:00 pm ET. 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.

“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:

• Dr. 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

To register for the July 8 town hall, please click HERE. For those unable to join live, a recording will be available later on the HISA website.

Click the image below to review all of the upcoming changes.