Lisa Lazarus

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) published its 2025 Annual Metrics Report Tuesday which showed just 1.04 racing-related equine fatalities per 1,000 starts. The report notes that that number, which is "a sustained reduction from pre-HISA benchmarks", also marks a nearly 50% decline since reporting began nationally in 2009 by The Jockey Club's Equine Injury Database (EID). "Our mission is clear: to make Thoroughbred racing safer for horses and riders while safeguarding the integrity and future of the sport," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "The data contained in this...

In response to allegations from HISA that Churchill Downs owes the organization $2.4 million in fees, Churchill Downs issued a statement Thursday in which it said it does not "accept HISA's mischaracterization of our actions" and rebuffed any suggestions that Churchill Downs and its affiliate tracks are not fully committed to safety and integrity. The statement read: "Churchill Downs Incorporated remains fully committed to the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing. Any suggestion that the company is not supporting safety efforts is inaccurate. Churchill Downs has invested significantly in safety...

It's a piece of legislation not introduced yet, but that didn't stop two industry leaders from discussing at last week's racing symposium in Arizona a proposed immigration change that could alter the way the sport's workforce seeks employment here legally. At the symposium, Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) CEO Lisa Lazarus reportedly discussed a plan to expand P Visas to include equine workers with a built-in funding mechanism for the organization, according to BloodHorse. Currently, the backstretch workforce falls under the umbrella of the Fair Labor Standards Act, limiting...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)'s launch of the HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF), an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing, is set to begin operations in early 2026, according to an organization release on Wednesday.   HERF's mission: Support racehorses—with injuries sustained during races that historically have a positive prognosis for recovery—by ensuring immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation in order to facilitate a successful aftercare placement. Enhance access to diagnostic imaging services and tools...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) released its Third Quarter Metrics Report for 2025 and the racing-related equine fatality rate was 1.02 fatalities per 1,000 starts, which translates to 99.90% of Thoroughbred racehorse starts occurred without a fatality within 72 hours of racing due to race-related injuries, according to a release from the regulator on Friday morning. The report provides detailed data on key safety metrics under HISA's Racetrack Safety Program, including racing-related and training-related equine fatalities, riding crop rule violations and scratches. Over the past 24 months, the...

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,...

Retired jockey Trevor McCarthy is joining the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) as a jockeys' wellness consultant, a newly created position that is dedicated to advancing the health, safety and overall well-being of riders. "Trevor's first-hand understanding of life in the saddle and his genuine commitment to jockey well-being make him an invaluable addition to our team," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "His insight and experience will strengthen our ongoing efforts, alongside Jockeys' Guild, to develop programs that support the overall health and safety of riders across the country."...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and Onrise have partnered to provide nutritional coaching to the suite of confidential wellness services available to licensed jockeys at HISA racetracks through the Onrise platform, HISA announced Tuesday. Beginning this week, riders can access personalized nutrition support in both English and Spanish through the same Onrise telehealth system currently used for mental health and peer support services. "Introducing access to nutrition support is an exciting enhancement in HISA's partnership with Onrise," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "This addition empowers jockeys to better understand...

One day after the Jockeys' Guild issued a statement that excoriated the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority for suspending Paco Lopez for six months, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus issued a statement defending the Authority's actions. In a January 17 order signed by both HISA and Lopez's representatives, the parties agreed that "this two-year suspension is probated contingent upon Lopez not committing another violation of HISA Rules that involves conduct similar to the conduct at issue in the Notice within two years of the date of this Order. If Lopez...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act's proposed 2026 budget has been out for its mandatory public comment period and is now before the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The topline comes out to just over $78.4 million. If credits to the industry are fully applied, then the cost to the industry is around $60.4 million. HISA has already responded to nine public comments posted to the federal register. Its response, however, doesn't include those subsequently submitted by Churchill Downs Incorporated's (CDI) CEO, Bill Carstanjen. CDI is hardly an impartial voice in...

Paco Lopez and his attorney Drew Mollica have been informed by the Horse Racing Safety and Integrity Authority that they will not grant Paco Lopez a stay of his six-month suspension for what HISA called a violation of the terms of his agreement stemming from a Dec. 4 incident involving the whip. "We are in the process of evaluating all legal remedies including but not limited to an emergency application to a court of competent jurisdiction to seek not only injunctive relief, but sanctions for this unilateral unprecedented decision to...

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Jockeys' Guild, in partnership with the Congressional Mental Health Caucus, co-hosted a mental health roundtable on Tuesday, Sept. 16, in the U.S. Capitol. The event brought together jockeys and professional athletes from women's soccer and football to share their personal experiences and highlight both the common and unique mental health challenges they face. "We are committed to keeping the dialogue going on mental health challenges for professional jockeys," said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. "The more we talk about it, the more jockeys...