Frank Stronach, the founder and honorary chairman of The Stronach Group, announced his support for the Horseracing Integrity Act, legislation that will create a uniform, nationwide, conflict-free drug testing enforcement program for horse racing, late Tuesday evening.
Stronach made the commitment on behalf of The Stronach Group after a meeting of industry stakeholders in Lexington, KY, Monday. Among those in attendance were members of CHRI, Stronach and Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY).
The Horseracing Integrity Act is expected to be formally introduced in the House of Representatives in the next few days, with Congressmen Barr and Paul Tonko (D-NY) as the co-sponsors. The original version of the bill, H.R. 3084, introduced last Congress garnered the support of nearly 90 co-sponsors.
“Like Congressmen Barr and Tonko, Frank Stronach realizes and appreciates that this industry sorely needs a national, uniform, anti-doping and medication control program that would be developed and enforced by a private, independent, self-regulatory non-profit organization,” said Shawn Smealie, executive director of Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity. “We also expect a Senate version of the new bill to be introduced in the near future and we are heartened by the growing support for this approach not only in the halls of Congress but throughout the horse racing industry.”
Congressman Barr added, “There are few people more committed to the future of horseracing in North America than Frank Stronach, a multiple Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Breeder and Outstanding Owner. To have someone of his stature endorse this legislation puts the Horseracing Integrity Act on a clear path toward success.”
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