Prominent Industry Leaders Support HISA in Court Filing

As attorneys for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority prepare defense of an appeal of HISA's victory in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, a number of prominent industry groups, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys, and racing executives have formally voiced their support of HISA.

These breeding and racing industry participants showed their support to HISA in an Aug. 11 amicus brief filed with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.

An introductory paragraph to the filing noted, "With decades of collective experience among them, amici have had the privilege of working with some of the finest Thoroughbreds in the world, often at the pinnacle of the sport. While amici's connections to Thoroughbred horseracing are diverse, they all share an unyielding commitment to the sport's integrity and continued success—including the health and safety of the horses on which the sport depends."

Signing on in favor of HISA in the case are:

• Shannon Arvin, president and CEO, Keeneland Association.
• Craig Bandoroff, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Gary Barber, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Dr. Jeffrey Berk, Thoroughbred veterinarian; former chairman of the American Association of Equine Practitioners.
• Breeders' Cup Ltd., operator of the Breeders' Cup World Championships.
• Donna Brothers, NBC sports commentator, retired jockey.
• Mark Casse, Thoroughbred trainer, inductee of the U.S. National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
• Robert Clay, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• C. Steven Duncker, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Terry Finley, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Seth Walker Hancock Jr., Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Ian Highet, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Barry Irwin, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Stuart S. Janney III, chairman of The Jockey Club, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• The Jockey Club, leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing organization in the United States.
• Anthony Manganaro, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Chris McCarron, Thoroughbred jockey (retired), inductee of the U.S. National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame.
• Daniel Metzger, president of the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association.
• Chauncey O. Morris, executive director, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association.
• J. Michael O'Farrell Jr., Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Thomas J. Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, former member of the U.S. House of Representatives (2009-19).
• George Strawbridge, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.
• Vincent Viola, Thoroughbred owner and breeder.

The filing noted that, "In this case, the court is being asked to resolve constitutional challenges to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020. Because amici have been 'engaged in the care, training, or racing of Thoroughbred horse[s],' they have a substantial interest in the court's resolution of HISA's constitutionality."

The appeal has been filed by the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, a number of state HBPA groups, the state of Texas and its Texas Racing Commission, and others.