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The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) to administer the rules and enforcement 
mechanisms of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program.

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HISA / HIWU Media Briefing – June 8, 2023

The Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit (HIWU) has overseen a successful relaunch of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect on May 22, 2023, following a court-ordered pause on March 31. The Program originally launched on March 27.Through the first two weeks, more than 3,000 Covered Horses have been tested at 22 tracks across the country. The test types include Post-Race, Out-of-Competition, Vets’ List, and TCO2, as well as testing on claimed Covered Horses and Covered Horses that suffered injuries or fatalities. All samples have been collected by HIWU-trained personnel following uniform processes that are supported by a paperless documentation system. The samples have been sent to one of the six laboratories that have been approved by HIWU to participate in the ADMC Program. All of these laboratories must meet the same performance specifications.As per HISA’s ADMC Program regulations, HIWU is required to adhere to timely public disclosure policies in the event of an Adverse Analytical finding, i.e., positive test. For positive tests associated with Banned Substances, the violation will be published on the HIWU website upon the imposition of a Provisional Suspension to the trainer, which occurs once the trainer is notified of the positive test. For positive tests associated with Controlled Medications, the violation will be published after the B sample, i.e., split sample, confirms the positive result or the trainer waives the right to test the B sample.More information about HIWU’s public disclosure policies can be found on the <a href="https://www.hiwu.org/public-disclosures">HIWU website</a>.HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms are also live and have been accepting tips that may be used in the investigation of potential violations of HISA’s Racetrack Safety and/or ADMC Programs. More information about the tip lines, including the telephone number, text number, and email address, can be found <a href="https://www.hiwu.org/tip-line">here</a>.“With HISA’s national, uniform ADMC Program finally in place, the last two weeks represent a momentous step forward for Thoroughbred racing in the United States,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “We thank the industry stakeholders who have collaborated with us and been supportive over the last year to help the Program get off the ground successfully.”To support the administration of the ADMC Program at Belmont Park in advance of the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival, which will be held Thursday, June 8, through Saturday, June 10, HIWU team members are on site to ensure smooth operations. Saturday’s Belmont Stakes will be the first Triple Crown race to be run under the regulations of the HISA ADMC Program, which includes selected Out-of-Competition testing for prospective entrants in advance of the race in addition to Post-Race and TCO2 testing.“HIWU will build off its early momentum to showcase our world-class program to a national audience this weekend and demonstrate how the Program enhances equine safety and welfare across the country while promoting the integrity of the sport,” said Mosier.The Horseracing Integrity &amp; 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. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org.Contact:Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications &amp; Outreach &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(816) 516-9572 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;aravit@hiwu.org &nbsp;

HISA ADMC Program in Full Swing Under HIWU; Belmont Stakes to be First Triple Crown Race Run Under Program

(New York, NY and Charlotte, NC)- The Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit (HIWU) and RealResponse announced today the relaunch of its anonymous whistleblower platforms to enable Thoroughbred racing participants to submit tips regarding potential violations of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) and Racetrack Safety Programs. At the time of the original Program launch on March 27, 2023, the platforms were only accepting tips related to ADMC Program violations.Individuals who would like to submit tips should utilize the following contact options:Phone Line: (888) 714-HIWU (4498) Text Line: (855) 901-TIPS (8477) Email Address: hiwutips@hiwu.realresponse.com“Opening up HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms to those seeking to report potential Racetrack Safety Program violations in addition to ADMC violations strengthens HISA’s uniform and efficient approach to safety and integrity in racing. It also simplifies the process for horsemen and industry participants seeking to ensure a safe and clean sport, which benefits everyone,” said Ann McGovern, HISA’s director of Racetrack Safety.The text and email platforms are supported through a partnership with RealResponse, the market leader in anonymous two-way communication, providing safe and secure reporting platforms for athletes, teams, and organizations worldwide. The telephone platform is supported by Ansafone. Using the designated telephone line, text line, or email address, any industry participant can anonymously submit information for review by HIWU’s Investigations Unit. Submissions are accepted 24/7, and whistleblowers have the option to volunteer their contact information if they are open to potential follow up from HIWU’s investigators.“Horse racing is at the most significant crossroads in its history, and today’s announcement underscores how important it is to stay one step ahead of bad actors,” said RealResponse Founder and Chief Executive Officer David Chadwick. “Now more than ever, everyone in the industry – not just those who govern it – must be hypervigilant about the health, safety, and well-being of the jockeys and horses who power the sport. That is why we partnered with HIWU to create and implement the safest, fastest, and most confidential way to anonymously share information about the welfare of competitors and threats to the integrity of competition.”Examples of violations of the ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs that can be reported include, but are not limited to:- Use/attempted use, administration/attempted administration, trafficking/attempted trafficking, or possession of a Banned Substance/Method. - Use of a Controlled Medication Substance/Method in a manner contrary to horse welfare. - Evasion of sample collection. - Tampering or attempted tampering with the ADMC Program. - Falsified or improper veterinary records. - Paper training. - Use of buzzers. - Improper use of shockwave therapy.Any activity negatively affecting horse welfare is a potential violation of the Racetrack Safety Program.Examples of information that can be included in an anonymous tip include, but are not limited to:- Names of Covered Horses. - Names of specific trainers or other Covered Persons. - Names of substances. - Specific barns or other facilities. - Other identifying information about Covered Persons or Covered Horses relevant to the potential violation.Tips that are specific to HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program will be investigated by HIWU’s Investigations Unit, which will submit reports to HISA to be handled by HISA staff, as appropriate. ADMC Program violations will be investigated and prosecuted by HIWU.“HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platforms were well-received when the ADMC Program first launched in March, and we’re pleased to make them available again to help inform the work of our Investigations Unit,” said Michelle Pujals, general counsel for HIWU. “Expanding HIWU’s capabilities to accept tips regarding the Racetrack Safety Program will facilitate more effective investigatory operations to identify and catch those who compromise the integrity of the sport and the welfare of its athletes.”Industry participants should note that the HIWU Investigations Unit will not respond to violations or inquiries that fall outside the jurisdiction of HISA, and such information should be reported to the relevant regulatory authorities.About the Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare UnitThe Horseracing Integrity &amp; 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. HIWU oversees testing, educating stakeholders on the program, laboratory accreditation, investigation of potential violations, and prosecution of any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org.About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety AuthorityWhen the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law, it charged the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) with drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA is implementing, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is comprised of two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which went into effect on July 1, 2022; and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which resumed its implementation on May 22, 2023.The Racetrack Safety Program includes operational safety rules and national racetrack accreditation standards that seek to enhance equine welfare and minimize equine and jockey injury. The Program expands veterinary oversight, imposes surface maintenance and testing requirements, enhances jockey safety, regulates riding crop use and implements voided claim rules, among other important measures.The ADMC Program includes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by an independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the Program, accredits laboratories, investigates potential ADMC violations and prosecutes any such violations.About RealResponseThe RealResponse community includes more than one million athletes, coaches, administrators, and staff, across college and professional sports, governing bodies, and integrity units. All are focused on building safe and inclusive environments that elevate athletes' voices through the platform. Founded in 2015 with its signature custom-centric approach, RealResponse allows for real-time reporting, surveys, compliance support, competitive benchmarks, and metrics. These insights help advance an anonymous and open line of communication between athletes, participants, and their respective organizations. For more information, visit realresponse.com.-30-Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications &amp; Outreach &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;(816) 516-9572 &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; aravit@hiwu.org &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;

HIWU Relaunches Anonymous Whistleblower Platforms in Partnership with RealResponse; Platforms Now Accepting Tips for both ADMC and Racetrack Safety Programs

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HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program is now in effect.

HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program is launching on Monday, March 27, 2023.

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