Romans, Sadler, McGaughey, Murphy join HISA advisory group

Thoroughbred trainers Dale Romans, John Sadler and Shug McGaughey and racing and bloodstock manager Gavin Murphy have joined the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s horsemen’s advisory group.

The group of racing industry participants was formed by HISA last year to provide formal feedback to HISA’s executive team and standing committees on the implementation and evolution of its racetrack safety and anti-doping and medication control regulations. They will replace outgoing group members Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones.

Dale Romans is an Eclipse award-winning trainer from Louisville, Ky., who operates Romans Racing. Romans races in Kentucky, New York and Florida. He is vice president and a member of the board of directors of the Kentucky Horseman’s Benevolent Protection Agency. Romans also is a member of the Churchill Downs racing committee and the Gulfstream Park racing committee.

John Sadler is a California-based trainer and former show jumper. Sadler has been training since 1978. In addition to training multiple Eclipse champions, Sadler previously was president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers and a member of the boards of the Edwin Gregson Foundation and the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

Shug McGaughey is a New York-based Hall of Fame trainer and a native of Lexington, Ky. Historically the private trainer for the laureled Phipps Stable, McGaughey brings more than 30 years of experience as a top horseman to the horsemen’s advisory group. Five of McGaughey’s trainees have been inducted into the National Racing Hall of Fame.

Gavin Murphy is an industry member originally from Queensland, Australia. Murphy is the head of SF Bloodstock, an internationally recognized bloodstock investment fund, with breeding and racing operations in the U.S., Australia and Europe. A long-time industry stakeholder, Gavin previously was employed at Soros Fund Management, has served on the board of directors at Breeders' Cup and has a significant involvement with top Australian stud farm, Newgate.

The full list of the horsemen’s advisory group members can be found here.

The group has 19 members with a wide variety of viewpoints from across racing. Its membership includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, backstretch employees and representatives of racing offices and aftercare initiatives.

“I am grateful to Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones for their dedication to improving HISA’s Racetrack Safety and ADMC programs,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “Their feedback has been integral to HISA’s evolution as we work to create a fair and safe playing field for the sport. We look forward to collaborating with the new horsemen joining our group and benefitting from their years of hands-on experience in the Thoroughbred industry.”