Lazarus: 'Milestone' anti-doping program starts Monday
On Monday, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Administrations’s anti-doping and medication control program will once again take effect. The resumption of the ADMC program is not only an important milestone in our mission to strengthen the integrity and safety of Thoroughbred racing but also a necessary step towards our collective goal of always prioritizing horse welfare.
After the program’s successful initial rollout in late March, I am confident that the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit is prepared to implement the modernized collection protocols, the centralized and efficient results management system and the intelligence-driven investigatory oversight racing deserves. Under the ADMC program, both anti-doping and controlled medication alleged rule violations will be made public within weeks of being detected in the lab, introducing heightened transparency and accountability to the results management and adjudication process. HISA is grateful to partner with HIWU under the leadership of executive director Ben Mosier in this critical undertaking.
As I communicated last week, HISA in the process of conducting our own independent investigation into the recent breakdowns at Churchill Downs in parallel with the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s investigation. The findings, which will be made public following the investigation’s conclusion, will inform HISA whether potential or suspected rule violations should be referred for enforcement action. They will also help us better understand the factors contributing to horses’ risk for injury so we can work to mitigate them in the future.
Like you, I look forward to the running of the Preakness Stakes this weekend and thank all the horsemen, 1/ST Racing, and other racing participants involved in making sure the races at Pimlico and across the country are held in compliance with Racetrack Safety regulations.
Next week, HISA and the Jockeys’ Guild, as part of our joint jockey health and mental wellness initiative, will be announcing the results of an anonymous survey of jockeys. The survey was designed to collect feedback on how the industry can better support jockeys’ mental health needs. The findings will inform HISA’s go-forward strategy addressing the ever-important topic of athlete safety and wellness.
As always, I encourage industry participants with feedback for HISA to please share it with us online at feedback@hisaus.org. We value your input. Should you require assistance using the HISA portal, our help desk line is open 24/7 at (877) 513-2919.
With support and cooperation from horsemen and participants, we have the ability to truly transform how racing governs safety to better protect both horses and riders and strengthen public trust in this great sport. I am confident, despite the challenges we face, that we can deliver on this promise.