Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

Everett Dobson, chairman of The Jockey Club, pledged to collaborate with horsemen to find solutions to racing's many challenges and ways to grow the sport while delivering the keynote address at the National Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association Conference at Oaklawn Park Wednesday. Dobson acknowledged some of the divisions between The Jockey Club and the National HBPA, including The Jockey Club's support of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the constitutionality of which the National HBPA is challenging in court. But Dobson stressed the common goals shared by the two...

With the upcoming HISA vote set to determine the fate of Lasix in the U.S., the New York Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association conducted a survey of its membership seeking input on how the expiration of the Lasix exemption, and the possibility of a complete ban on the drug on race day, could impact their operations and the industry at large. The results of the survey were published in the organization's 2026 Winter newsletter. Among the respondents, 123, or 80.9%, reported they would be likely to race less if a total ban...

A new Equine Health Advisory identifying key risk factors associated with fatal proximal hindlimb fractures in Thoroughbreds was revealed by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Thursday. The advisory, which is based on data drawn from the HISA Portal, provides practical guidance for trainers and veterinarians on how to help prevent these catastrophic injuries. In 2024 and 2025, Regulatory Veterinarians at Covered Racetracks reported 28 fatal tibial (12) and pelvic bone (16) fractures. Most (75%) fractures occurred during training; 25% occurred during racing. Approximately 40% of horses with fatal...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) for a clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees, on Wednesday was notified by the FTC that his legal team would not be allowed to have new evidence considered in his nearly 18-month-old case. Serpe's suspension stems from clenbuterol detected in the urine of Fast Kimmie (Oscar Performance) after her Aug. 10, 2024 victory in a $30,000 claiming...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) seeks public comment on proposed modifications to the Rule Series 5000 (Equine Testing and Investigation Standards) and 7000 (Arbitration Procedures) of its Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program by Monday, Feb. 23, the regulator said via a press release on Thursday. The proposed modifications build on HISA's ongoing review of the ADMC Program. In November, HISA distributed for public comment proposed modifications to other Rule Series comprising the ADMC Program (1000, 3000 and 4000). Comments received in response to that request are under...

Though rare, sudden deaths in racehorses have long proven a source of great frustration for being just that--a sudden event with virtually no way to predict it, and oftentimes no way to explain it. Emerging research, however, offers real hope that perhaps soon, the industry will have a way to both zero in on the small number of horses at heightened risk of apparent sudden death, as well as a better understanding of just what might be happening to them. Using data from more than 21,000 horses who wore the...

Conrad Bandoroff, Dr. Kristina Eisaman, Carly Schuerger, Sophie Shore and Whitney Verbal have been added to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority's Next Generation Advisory Group. Formed in 2024, the group provides HISA's executive team and Standing Committees with formal feedback on the evolution of its Racetrack Safety Program and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The new members succeed outgoing Next Generation Advisory Group members Waqas Ahmed, Marc Broady, Jeff Matty, Katie Miranda, and Tyler Peeples. A complete list of the group's 20 members--representing a wide variety of viewpoints...

Citing a series of alleged rule violations related to "cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse" of Thoroughbreds, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has served Rudy Rodriguez with a "notice of violation and show cause" that could result in a potential provisional suspension and perhaps more serious penalties for the 53-year-old former jockey who has consistently ranked near the top of the New York trainer standings for the past 15 years. The HISA notice, which was served upon Rodriguez Nov. 21, 2025, and made public on Nov. 26, stated that...

Despite a successful career in which he won 1,871 races, jockey Trevor McCarthy announced his retirement in April. He admitted that he was "miserable" and that the many problems that come with being a jockey, especially one who is 5 feet, 9 inches tall, had caused him serious mental health problems. In November, it was announced that McCarthy had taken on a new job as HISA's Jockey Wellness Consultant. To talk about his battles, his new job, his current state of mind and why he walked away from the sport...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has named the members of its newly-established Medical Advisory Committee, a group of leading medical professionals with a broad range of specialties from across the United States who will provide expert guidance on matters related to jockey health, safety and well-being, a press release from the regulator said on Thursday. The committee will advise HISA's executive team and standing committees by offering recommendations on best practices for jockey safety, reviewing proposed rules and providing insight on medical protocols involving jockey care, injury prevention,...

A new minimum reporting level (MRL) for the banned substance metformin has been proposed by HISA's Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Committee, according to a HISA release Monday. The proposed MRL is 4.0 nanograms per milliliter in blood and is based on recommendations received at HISA and HIWU's request from the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium's (RMTC) Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC). The modification will be circulated for public comment in the coming days. Following a series of positive test results for metformin and what Monday's HISA release called, "intelligence received...

Trainer Phil Serpe, who is fighting both in federal court and at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) appeal level to overturn a two-year suspension imposed by the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) over a contested clenbuterol positive in one of his trainees at Saratoga Race Course in 2024, on Thursday had the judge in his lawsuit deny a request for a preliminary injunction for the second time in five months. In explaining his decision, the judge in charge of the case, David Leibowitz of United States District Court (Southern...