The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today the release of its 2023 Annual Report. The full report is available here. The Annual Report details HIWU’s organization-wide activities as the independent enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Among the highlights are statistics on testing, results management, the adjudication of cases, investigations, and educational efforts. “We are pleased to present this comprehensive look at HIWU’s work on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry,” said Ben Mosier, executive director for HIWU. “The Report illustrates the tremendous team effort that was required to bring the ADMC Program to life and administer it nationwide, as well as the support and collaboration of industry groups and horsemen who have worked with us to help make the Program successful.” All Annual Reports will be archived in the About Us section of the HIWU website at hiwu.org for viewing anytime. About the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process that applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. As the enforcement agency of the ADMC Program, HIWU oversees all testing processes, including the selection of horses to be tested, training of sample collection personnel, and chain of custody procedures. Additionally, HIWU is charged with industry/stakeholder education, laboratory accreditation, results management and adjudication, and investigations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org

Horsemen’s Advisory: Capsaicin The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) would like to draw horsemen’s attention to capsaicin and its presence in products that are commonly used on or around Covered Horses. Capsaicin is an active component in many peppers and is responsible for their hot/irritant properties. Consequently, many horsemen use pepper pastes, hot sauce, and similar products to discourage horses from chewing on bandages or stall doors. However, capsaicin also has an analgesic effect and is often included in topical pain relief products such as creams, ointments, liniments, braces, and patches. For this reason, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority categorizes capsaicin as a Class B Controlled Medication Substance. It is regulated in Post-Race, Vets’ List, and Post-Work Samples. Studies have found that capsaicin is absorbed and eliminated more rapidly from the body when consumed or administered orally compared to when it is administered topically. Thus, the route of administration for or exposure to capsaicin is a factor in dictating a horse’s individual risk for a positive test. In consideration of the fact that HIWU’s partner laboratories have been testing for capsaicin since the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program’s inception and that there had been no adverse findings reported until this year, HIWU believes that the use of pepper/capsaicin products on bandages, doors, and other items/areas represents a minimal risk for a positive test. For any over-the-counter topical products (e.g. liniments, body braces) or oral supplements, horsemen should read all labels to check for capsaicin in the list of ingredients and exercise caution when using these products in close proximity to a race or workout. Capsaicin is also in peppers or pepper derivatives, including, but not limited to, chili peppers, cayenne peppers, and paprika, and should also be noted if mentioned on a label. Horsemen or veterinarians with questions should reach out to sciencesupport@hiwu.org.

Advisory: Dexamethasone Acetate • Please be aware that dexamethasone acetate is being used in some compounded products. It is important to note that it is different from dexamethasone. • In humans, dexamethasone acetate has a much longer half-life than dexamethasone alone and thus is eliminated more slowly than dexamethasone. However, the exact effect of the addition of acetate on slowing the elimination of dexamethasone from the horse has not been studied. • Consequently, there is an unknown risk for a positive test result in a Post-Race, Vets’ List, or Post-Work Sample when dexamethasone acetate is used. • There is no commercially available, FDA-approved formulation of dexamethasone acetate; it is only available as a compounded medication. • Should a horse require treatment: • It is advisable to administer dexamethasone. Dexamethasone has been extensively researched through administration studies, and the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium has recommended Withdrawal Guidance for its use. OR • If dexamethasone acetate is determined to be the drug of choice for a given horse’s condition, Clearance Testing through HIWU is recommended.