The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has released an industry-wide survey as the next phase of its review of Veterinarians' List and Stewards' List categories across U.S. Thoroughbred racing.
The review is intended to promote greater consistency in scratch procedures nationwide and improve the quality of data used to understand and support equine welfare.
The survey is open to all stakeholders and responses will be accepted through Sept. 11. It has been distributed via email to Attending and Regulatory Veterinarians, Trainers and Owners registered in the HISA Portal with a valid email address. The survey will also be distributed through industry groups and individual copies can be obtained by emailing [email protected].
Over the past six months, HISA has surveyed Stewards and Regulatory Veterinarians at Covered Racetracks to better understand the List categories in use and the factors that determine how horses are placed on those Lists.
The survey findings revealed significant variation in the classification and management of List placements across racetracks, resulting in different outcomes in similar circumstances. The review also found that, at some racetracks, field size can influence whether a scratch is recorded as a trainer scratch or veterinary scratch, potentially affecting the accuracy of data regarding the reason for the scratch. In addition, certain racetracks maintain local requirements that impose periods of ineligibility for reasons not covered under HISA rules.
An executive summary of the initial survey findings is available here, and the full report, including detailed findings and appendices, is available here.
At the conclusion of the review, HISA will publicly release its findings and outline a proposed framework for modernized scratch procedures and Veterinarians' List categories designed to support greater national consistency and transparency.
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