HISA bans veterinarian for life in Pa. medication conspiracy

Allen Bonnell, a veterinarian who worked with trainers at Penn National to administer joint injenctions closer to races than allowed by Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority rules, has accepted a lifetime ban.

According to the order, dated Wednesday and published by HISA on Thursday, Bonnell will not be allowed to work with horses covered by HISA at racetracks or training facilities. It also stipulates that people cannot work with covered horses on his behalf. The ban was previously reported by Frank Angst at BloodHorse.

This is related to the coordinated investigation announced by HISA in February, related to activity between Bonnell and 13 trainers at Penn National between May 2024 and November 2024. Trainers Erin Carpio, Fernando Ferreira, Kimberly Graci, Joe Miller and Michael Zalalas have been named. Others are redacted from the documents published on the HISA site.

Overall, more than 100 individual horses were involved according to the HISA allegations. About 30% of them never raced again after the race or work before which they were injected, about 10% of the horses who raced came back lame, and three were euthanized due to racing injuries sustained in those races.

Thursady's order does not resolve any charges that may be pursued under the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit.