September 12, 2023 – The Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority (HISA) at this time launched a report detailing the findings of its investigation into the circumstances surrounding the 12 equine fatalities that came about at Churchill Downs Racetrack from April 27 – Could 27, 2023. HISA additionally introduced a collection of proposed (and in some instances, mandated) initiatives and reforms aimed toward considerably decreasing equine fatalities.
HISA’s investigation evaluated three major elements: 1) the potential position of Churchill Downs’ racetrack surfaces within the breakdowns, 2) veterinary data together with the necropsies of every of the 12 horses and three) any potential guidelines violations or procedural deficiencies that will have contributed to the fatalities. The total report outlining HISA’s findings is obtainable right here.
Regardless of intensive investigation and evaluation, HISA didn’t determine any singular rationalization for the fatalities at Churchill Downs. The absence of a singular rationalization underscores the pressing want for additional motion and evaluation to mitigate threat stemming from a number of elements doubtlessly contributing to equine fatalities.
“HISA’s most essential mission is to guard the well being and wellbeing of the horses taking part in Thoroughbred racing,” stated HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “The occasions at Churchill Downs, Laurel Park and Saratoga Race Course this spring and summer time had been a sobering reminder of the complexity of that mission. We should create a tradition of security and an ecosystem of care that takes into consideration all elements contributing to equine fatalities. And it’s the duty of all racing individuals to do their half. That’s the reason HISA is making formidable suggestions and additional mandates to make sure everybody concerned within the sport acts, initially, in the perfect curiosity of the horse. Racing can and should do higher.”
HISA’s strategic response to cut back equine fatalities had been motivated by the causes of and circumstances surrounding latest clusters of equine fatalities and are specified by full right here. These suggestions embody:
· A strong knowledge evaluation effort wherein HISA will work with prime knowledge analytics corporations to discover crucial questions going through the game. The applying of subtle knowledge evaluation, made potential by uniform reporting necessities underneath HISA, will yield new, actionable insights into elements contributing to equine fatalities.
· The creation of a Blue-Ribbon Committee to work towards the research and supreme introduction of extra artificial floor choices in Thoroughbred racing.
· Improved veterinary screening and diagnostic procedures together with:
· Making PET scans extra accessible to racetracks throughout the nation
· Conducting a analysis research to look at the causes of exercise-associated sudden deaths
· Additional use of wearable expertise as an harm detection instrument
· An examination of whether or not there are every other equine health instruments worthy of funding and deployment
A number of further suggestions, together with strong proposed modifications to HISA’s current Racetrack Security guidelines, are detailed right here.
· Obtain: Spring 2023 Churchill Downs Equine Fatalities: HISA Findings
· Obtain: 2023 Equine Fatalities: HISA’s Strategic Response
In regards to the Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority
When the Horseracing Integrity and Security Act was signed into federal regulation, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Security Authority (HISA) with drafting and implementing uniform security and integrity guidelines in Thoroughbred racing within the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Commerce Fee (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the primary time, a nationwide, uniform algorithm relevant to each Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two applications: the Racetrack Security Program, which went into impact on July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Treatment Management (ADMC) Program, which went into impact on Could 22, 2023.
The Racetrack Security Program contains operational security guidelines and nationwide racetrack accreditation requirements that search to reinforce equine welfare and decrease equine and jockey harm. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes floor upkeep and testing necessities, enhances jockey security, regulates driving crop use and implements voided declare guidelines, amongst different essential measures.
The ADMC Program features a centralized testing and outcomes administration course of and applies uniform penalties for violations effectively and persistently throughout america. These guidelines and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an unbiased company, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport Worldwide (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.
