For HIWU, Cooperation a Key
If 2023 was the year of laying the foundation for the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, then 2024 was the year of enhancing and refining that program to set the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit up for success in the years to come.
Our goals were focused on taking what we learned in year one to implement modifications that resulted in a more effective program for all participants that serves the best interests of Thoroughbred racing.
These advancements could be seen in every area of HIWU's operations, and they facilitated the key to successes both internally and externally: collaboration. HIWU's operations, investigations, and science departments are in constant communication to develop plans for intelligence-based testing and investigative strategies. The unique expertise offered by each department supports a comprehensive approach to addressing anti-doping and medication control that would not be possible if each group operated independently.
Similarly, our team and the program benefit immensely from the insights of our "boots-on-the-ground" colleagues at facilities covered by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, including regulatory veterinarians, stewards, investigators, sample collection personnel, and other racing officials. These industry partners share key intelligence with us and perform critical responsibilities on behalf of HIWU.
Running the program would not be possible without them, and we thank them for their partnerships. In response to feedback received through extensive engagement with many industry participants, HIWU simplified our educational materials to educate covered persons about the ADMC Program. These resources cut down potentially complex concepts into digestible content.
The most prominent of these resources was our stable hygiene campaign, with posters and booklets shipped to 45 racetracks, training centers, and horsemen's groups. When it comes to education, HIWU's goal is to empower covered persons to be able to comply with the ADMC Program and to avoid inadvertent violations. Our success in this area was evidenced by a consistently low rate of positive tests for controlled medications and a decrease in the number of findings for substances such as metformin and methamphetamine after launching our stable hygiene campaign in mid-2024.
However, HIWU's organization-wide achievements are best reflected in HISA's 2024 metrics, which revealed a record-low fatality rate in Thoroughbred racing. We are proud of our contributions to making the sport safer for horses and their riders. We are confident that our consistent enforcement of medication rules, combined with an investigative presence nationwide, are helping to deter behavior that may compromise equine safety and welfare.
While HIWU is proud of our 2024 accomplishments, in 2025 we will be introducing additional advancements to serve the industry. For example, HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory accreditation standards took effect Jan. 1, 2025, establishing a robust quality assurance program to promote harmonization, as well as coordinated research and collaboration efforts among program laboratories.
Program efficiencies continue to be a strong focus heading into 2025, including IT enhancements for sample collection and results reporting systems. This is yet another area in which industry feedback has been crucial in making these systems work better for everyone.
(Open letter from HIWU annual report.)
Ben Mosier
HIWU executive director
Chris Guinty
Drug Free Sport International president and CEO
Jonathan Taylor
Chairman of HIWU Advisory Council
Many Reasons to Oppose Decoupling
The Tampa Bay Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents racehorse owners and trainers at Tampa Bay Downs racetrack, has been clear about its opposition to the decoupling effort (Florida Senate Bill 408 and House Bill 105) being considered in Tallahassee during this legislative session.
From distributing t-shirts to posting on social media and meeting with state lawmakers on this issue, we have been working hard to make our voice—and the voices of those affected—heard. But I find it important to write this to make it clear that this legislation is wrong for our Tampa Bay region.
Decoupling gaming from live horse racing will bring serious harm to the Thoroughbred industry. Live horse racing is dependent on the breeding, raising, and training of horses in the state and vice versa; so if you jeopardize the horse racing industry, you stand to lose the rest of it. This includes, but is certainly not limited to, trainers, jockeys, breeders, farm workers, veterinarians, and countless others who depend on the industry to provide for themselves and their families.
Live horse racing will cease to exist in the state, meaning Florida spectators who love this sport will need to travel elsewhere, and those who work in this industry will need to move elsewhere or find another industry to work in. This also means that those who currently travel here—to buy horses, to race horses, or to participate in or watch one of the most beloved and cherished pastimes that has been around for centuries—will no longer come to Florida or spend their money while here.
This carries a huge price tag for the state to the tune of losing 33,500 jobs and $3.24 billion in annual positive economic impact.
I also believe this won't be the only domino to fall if this legislation passes. Florida is proud to be a leader in many things, but we don't want the state to become a leader of (decoupling), where other states may follow, helping to dismantle the popular equestrian sport of horse racing.
It is also important to note that gaming exists at these facilities because of Thoroughbred racing. They were allowed to offer gaming with the stipulation that it had to be "coupled" with Thoroughbred racing as a supplement to help purses (i.e., no Thoroughbred racing, no gaming permit).
It appears that there is really only one constituency asking to decouple—Gulfstream Park—as they want to be able to sell the track (property), eliminate live racing, and keep the gaming permit for a casino.
This horse racing industry is a big reason why I love Florida, and the live horse racing industry is important to the Tampa Bay region, as well as to the rest of the state. Florida stands to lose a lot if this legislation passes. It would prioritize casino gambling over Florida's horse racing industry and the many Floridians and communities, including our rural areas, who depend on it. I respectfully ask that Florida lawmakers oppose SB 408 and HB 105 this session.
Jan Meehan
Tampa Bay HBPA vice president
Time to Take 1/st Racing to Court
I am tired of reading about the industry's legislative efforts, lobbyists, and strategies about fighting and winning the decoupling issue.
None of the horsemen's organizations, tracks, breeders, racing jurisdictions, The Jockey Club, or anyone else has a winning plan to save their businesses that rely on racing horse at racetracks.
The only way to send a clear message is to sue the manure out of 1/ST Racing at both its venues (Santa Anita Park and Gulfstream Park) through many creative lawsuits that have significant economic justification while at the same time auditing them to confirm that the state and horsemen are getting their fair share.
Jerry Jamgotchian
Owner
HISA Needs to be Less Burdensome
I read your (BH Daily, April 1) Dollars and Sense article on Emerald Downs and HISA fees. It is sad to hear that Emerald Downs is struggling. It is not surprising that HISA fees could be the final straw. I will be surprised if any B-track survives without casino or government subsidies.
The cost of HISA has always been my complaint. Like so much in horse racing, it is designed for high-end racing.
Since HISA uses simulcast rights as the carrot to join HISA, perhaps it should make the assessment based on a percent of the simulcast handle (as well as starts). Assuming I read your article correctly, it sounds like litigation costs increase with the severity of the penalty imposed. In my opinion, the penalties are often 10 times over reasonable, so there might be room for significant cost cutting by imposing reasonable penalties. Inviting the Department of Government Efficiency to review it would be the ultimate in transparency.
R. Neil Braithwaite
Orange, Calif.
