The horse racing integrity and safety authority (HISA) was established in 2020 following the enactment of the horse racing integrity and safety act in the same year.
It wasn’t fully operational until a board of directors were placed in position in May 2021, and it is empowered to overlook any potential rule breaches on the track, and it is a private self-regulatory organization that boasts headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky. So they will be paying close attention to all the Kentucky Derby prep races leading to May.
What Does The HISA Examine?
HISA will overlook all factors surrounding American racing to ensure that they follow all the guidelines to ensure a safe, unbiased and competitive landscape of the sport.
The body has been slightly slow in accepting responsibilities, with the first racecourse regulations surrounding safety being put in place in July 2022, nearly two years after the organization was founded. Following this, the anti-doping rules that all trainers and owners must adhere to were put in place in late May 2023.
What Are There Jurisdictions?
HISA will overlook all factors in American racing following the enforcement of their new rules surrounding racetrack safety and anti-doping. The organization will have the authority to overlook all races that are involved in interstate commerce, which includes those that are subject to on-track and off-track betting.
As well as examining conditions, HISA will also examine the horses, trainers and owners that participate in the races within the United States. All guidelines that the organization follows are subject to approval from the Federal Trade Commission.
Main Responsibilities
Racetrack safety is one of the big factors that HISA will be overseeing, as the organization will be tasked with making sure that all tracks in the United States follow the strictest possible measures to ensure that racing is fit to be staged on track. This includes regulating the track surface, and overseeing how it is maintained throughout the season.
HISA will also examine the vets that are in operation on course, and assess the injury data reports from recent history to assess whether any courses require extra help. As well as this, HISA will also ensure that tracks are fit for purpose for jockeys, ensuring that there is no risk that those stars on top of horses stand to get injures. HISA is also strict of whip violations, as they will hand out fines and potential bans for riders that hit their ride more than the designated six times during a race.
Another big responsibility for HISA is anti-doping and medication control. The organisation overseas all horses that run in the United States, and prides itself on maintaining that all races are fair and that everything is done to protect equine health. HISA will collect blood, urine, and hair samples for all horses throughout the season, which is then tested at the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Unit. HISA will then be responsible for deciding and announcing any rule violations for failed tests.
Is HISA Widely Accepted?
In short, not all states have recognized HISA, with some stuff proving stiff opposition when it comes to the job that they are trying to do. Instead of adhering to the new rules set by HISA, some states are continuing to operate under their own state level medication and safety guidelines.
One of these include the Texas Racing Commission, which has provided stern opposition of HISA by claiming that new organizing bodies stance doesn’t fall in line with their own state laws in regards to horse racing. Other states that haven’t accepted HISA and have continued to follow their own state regulations include West Virginia and Louisiana.
One of the major setbacks for the organization has also come in the form of the opposition from the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association. Further opposition came in late 2023 in Louisiana, as it was revealed by Republican Clay Higgins that a bill had been put forward by the state to replace HISA guidelines. This document has since gained support from the National HBPA, as well as the governing body of harness racing- the United States Trotting Association.
