As we approach the final weeks of 2024, we are reflecting on the progress we’ve made this year and remain focused on sustaining momentum into the new year. Our commitment to enhancing the safety and welfare of horses and riders, as well as the integrity of our sport, remains at the forefront of everything we do, and we are focused on building on the strides we’ve made together in 2024.
In November, we proudly announced the launch of HISA Horse In-Sight, a new digital tool for regulatory veterinarians that uses data from the HISA Portal to create a visual summary of a horse’s health and performance. It represents a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to leverage technology and innovation for the benefit of the racing industry. We look forward to even more advancements in the coming year.
As we move forward in our mission, we are inviting experienced industry experts to apply for HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group, to replace several members whose terms are up at the end of the year. Please submit your application by December 12; see below for more details.
I look forward to connecting with many of you at this week’s Global Symposium on Racing in Tucson, where I will discuss our collective accomplishments this year and HISA’s plans for the future.
Yours in racing,
Lisa
HISA Introduces HISA Horse In-Sight
HISA recently announced the launch of HISA Horse In-Sight, a cutting-edge digital tool designed for regulatory veterinarians. The innovative platform, integrated within the HISA Portal, combines a horse’s racing career and medical history to provide a unique and holistic view of its health and performance. HISA Horse In-Sight was developed to empower regulatory veterinarians to make informed, timely decisions with greater efficiency and accuracy, ultimately enhancing horse health and welfare across Thoroughbred racing.
Key features of HISA Horse In-Sight include:
- A comprehensive view of races, workouts, scratches and more, complete with results details and conditions
- Advanced filters enabling customized views by treatment type, injury outcome or veterinary list status
- The ability to compare multiple horses through the Race Day tab, offering valuable insights into intra-articular injections and injuries
- Dynamic time controls allowing regulatory veterinarians to explore a horse’s history across any timeline, with rolling totals of high-speed furlongs for precision insights
- Downloadable reports ideal for research, mortality reviews and other essential veterinary tasks
Policy Change Announced Regarding Provisional Suspensions
Following a proposal by HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group, the HISA Board recently announced that it has requested that the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) limit the circumstances under which they exercise their discretion to impose a Provisional Suspension on Covered Persons under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.
The HISA Board has determined that further analysis and review of the issue of Provisional Suspensions is necessary to determine whether any modifications to the current rules are appropriate. While this review takes place, the HISA Board has requested that HIWU impose Provisional Suspensions only in circumstances where (i) a Covered Person has more than one horse test positive for the same Banned Substance; (ii) a barn search leads to the discovery of the same Banned Substance for which the Covered Person is being charged under the ADMC Program; and/or (iii) the alleged violation presents a substantial risk to the integrity of racing and/or the welfare of horses. All Provisional Suspensions that did not fall within any of these defined categories were lifted as of November 4.
Seeking Applications to Join Horsemen’s Advisory Group
HISA is accepting new applications for experienced industry experts to join HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group to replace several members whose terms are up at the end of the year. The Advisory Group was 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 Program and ADMC Program. The Advisory Group has been responsible for recommending a number of rule modifications that advanced to HISA’s standing committees and Board of Directors.
HISA is inviting all racing participants who wish to be considered for membership in the Advisory Group to email horsemensadvisory@hisaus.org indicating their interest and qualifications by Thursday, December 12, 2024. Applicants who applied in the past and received an email indicating their application was retained will not need to reapply.
The Advisory Group’s membership, available in full here, includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, and other experienced horsemen. Advisory Group members are expected to join monthly virtual (and occasionally in-person) meetings with HISA leadership to provide feedback on HISA’s rules and processes, as well as be available to weigh in on time-sensitive issues affecting horsemen.
HISA Welcomes Three New Members to ADMC Standing Committee
HISA is pleased to announce the addition of three new members to its ADMC Standing Committee:
- David Ingordo, a racehorse owner and bloodstock agent, Ingordo works with Lane’s End Farm and Ingordo Bloodstock, LLC, and helps manage Belladonna Racing. He brings extensive experience from roles at Walmac International, Juddmonte Farms, and the racetrack.
- David Sykes, an Australia-based veterinarian with global horseracing experience, Sykes is Head of Anti-Doping for the Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia and consults on equine welfare for Racing Victoria. He previously held senior roles with the British Horseracing Authority and Emirates Racing Authority.
- Jonathan Coyles, as Vice President of Drug, Health, and Safety Programs at Major League Baseball, Coyles oversees drug prevention, health programs and collective bargaining on player wellness and anti-doping issues.
These distinguished professionals bring expertise from the fields of horse racing, veterinary medicine and professional sports, enhancing HISA’s mission to uphold the highest standards of integrity, safety and welfare within the industry. As HISA welcomes these new members, the organization also expresses gratitude to Dr. Lynn Hovda, Barry Irwin and Kathleen Stroia, who are stepping down from the committee at the end of their terms and after years of dedicated service.
Employee Spotlight
HISA is excited to launch a new social media series celebrating the incredible people behind our mission to enhance the safety and integrity of horseracing. Through these spotlights, we’ll share personal insights, unique contributions and the passion driving meaningful change in our sport.
Last month, we featured Brenda Jones, HISA System Integrity & Operations Assistant. Brenda joined the HISA Field Support Team with more than two decades of experience in racing, having started out as a hot walker before holding the roles of foreman and assistant trainer. Brenda served as the Stewards Assistant at Delaware Park from 2008 to 2018 and the Claims Clerk and Stewards Assistant at Tampa Bay Downs from 2012 to 2023. Brenda was born in Costa Rica and is a native Spanish-speaker.
Read more about Brenda’s experience in horseracing and what she enjoys most about working with HISA here.
Q&A: 150 Day Layoff Form
What is the 150 Day Layoff Form?
- The 150 Day Layoff Form is an electronic report submitted by a Responsible Person for a horse returning to race following a layoff (period without racing) of 150 days or more.
What is the purpose?
- This rule, which was previously in effect in approximately 15 states in differing forms, was designed to get information in the hands of regulatory veterinarians prior to entry. The rule recognizes that it is no one’s best interest to scratch a horse once entered and was designed to provide the regulatory veterinarians sufficient time to work with the Responsible Person to resolve any outstanding questions prior to race day, whenever possible.
- HISA’s rule has introduced uniformity as to the number of days that trigger the reporting requirement and will provide an electronic platform for trainers to submit forms that are available to all regulatory veterinarians working at Covered Racetracks. Previously, the process required trainers to submit a form to each track where their horse might be considered for a race. We believe that this process will ultimately reduce the workload for horsemen and women and regulatory veterinarians.
What’s changing?
- In January, HISA will begin including a 150-day layoff from racing in the reasons why your horse might appear in the dashboard (or to a race office) as “Can Race = No.” Responsible Persons will get an email notification at 140 days since the horse’s last race reminding them that their horse is approaching a 150-day layoff.
How do I submit one for my horse?
- The form is available in your dashboard for horses assigned to you. An instructional video is available here online.
I have a lot of horses that are turf only, so they get turned out every fall. Do I still have to do submit this form every spring?
- If the horse hasn’t raced in 150 days, the form is required. “Turf Horse” is one of many options provided under “Reason for Layoff.”
HISA to Participate in Annual Industry Conferences This Week
HISA is looking forward to again participating in the Global Symposium on Racing in Arizona and AAEP Annual Convention in Florida this week, as the industry reflects on the broad safety and integrity successes of 2024 and explores how to make more progress in 2025 and beyond.
At the Global Symposium on Racing, HISA and HIWU staff will conduct a workshop and participate in a discussion of HISA racetrack surface requirements on Monday, December 9. On the following day, Lisa Lazarus will provide an update on HISA’s progress and what to expect in 2025. Separately, HISA will return to the AAEP convention hall with an information station where veterinarians can discuss top-of-mind issues with HISA representatives.
HIWU Update
From the desk of Ben Mosier, Executive Director, Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit:
HIWU was honored last month to once again oversee testing and the enforcement of HISA’s ADMC rules at the Breeders’ Cup World Championships. Members of HIWU’s Operations and Investigations teams were onsite at Del Mar, partnering with the Breeders’ Cup, California Horse Racing Board and track management to help ensure the high level of safety and compliance that participants and racing fans deserve. The Breeders’ Cup recently announced that all post-race samples were reported as negative.
This week, HIWU looks forward to participating in the Global Symposium on Racing. In addition to HIWU’s participation in the symposium’s annual Racing Secretary Summit and a two-hour workshop with HISA, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach Alexa Ravit will participate alongside other HISA Next Generation Advisory Group members in a panel on racing’s future and HIWU Chief of Operations Kate Mittelstadt, Director of Intelligence & Strategy Shaun Richards, and Chief of Science Dr. Mary Scollay will be featured in a panel on HIWU’s testing strategy. The HIWU team looks forward to productive discussions with racing participants in Tucson.
Thank you again for all you do to ensure that we’re moving forward together.
