HISA Issues Notices for Registration Noncompliance

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority this week began issuing notices to jockeys and trainers concerning violations of Rule 9000, which governs HISA registration. According to HISA, hearings will be scheduled for individuals who do not comply.

Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Authority is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in U.S. Thoroughbred racing. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, now in effect, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, planned to begin in January 2023. 

In notices distributed to those that have not yet registered, HISA noted that Congress mandated in the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act that the Authority require the registration of "Covered Persons" and "Covered Horses." Further within those notices, individuals are informed they have 48 hours upon receipt of their notices to register with the Authority. 

Failure to register or participate in the HISA hearing can result in fines or suspensions, forfeiture of purse money, disqualification from a race, or change the finish of a race in which a horse competed since July 1.

HISA has begun distributing notices to stewards across the country of its intention to enforce registration after giving participants a grace period following the introduction of the federal program earlier this month. Participants had been able to race if they had informed racing officials that they had attempted to register or were in the process of doing so.

In states in which HISA has voluntary agreements with racetracks, stewards had the means to scratch horses if a refusal to register was stated for noncompliance.

Those out of compliance will come before a three-person panel of the HISA board of directors, likely over a period of days in mid-August.

Louisiana is among the states in which a large group of jockeys are unregistered.

Because the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program will not begin until early next year, actions taken by regulators since HISA was introduced earlier this month have involved the Racetrack Safety Program and in turn, jockeys. HISA announced July 21 that 47 riding crop violations had been ruled on by stewards to date.

Groups from Louisiana, Texas, and other states have unsuccessfully challenged HISA in court.

Critics of HISA claim it creates bureaucratic red tape and additional costs without substantive policy changes that will improve safety. A horse was incorrectly disqualified by Belterra Park stewards during the initial days of implementing HISA rules.

Texas Racing Commission executive director Amy Cook did not approve of sending the Lone Star Park's signal out of state this month in defiance of HISA's oversight. The decision was backed by the state and the horsemen's group in Texas, with the TRC claiming Texas laws require it to be involved in the regulation of all aspects of racing and wagering at Texas racetracks.

After Lone Star Park wraps up its meet this weekend, Texas does not conduct a meet of strictly Thoroughbreds until January at Sam Houston Race Park.

Also Thursday, HISA published a draft of its Prohibited Substances Technical Document on its website, along with the latter from HISA ADMC Committee chair Adolpho Birch.