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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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Results Management: Anti-Doping Rule Violations

HISA ADMC Rules

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Education & Resources

Since the Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit (HIWU) was named by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) to serve as the independent enforcement agency for HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, we have been appreciative of the Thoroughbred industry’s willingness to work with us to help make the ADMC Program a success upon implementation.As you are likely aware, the ADMC Program had previously been set to go into effect on January 1, 2023, but due to the legal uncertainty at the time, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rejected the ADMC rules, and implementation was therefore delayed.Last month, Congress passed an amendment to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020 (Act) modifying the language that the Fifth Circuit identified as rendering the Act unconstitutional. Following the passage of that amendment, HISA resubmitted its ADMC Program Rules to the FTC for approval, and we anticipate that the FTC will post the Rules to the Federal Register in the coming weeks. Once the Rules are posted, there will be another public comment period, and following that comment period, the FTC will have 60 days to approve or deny them. Based on this timeline, we are optimistic that HISA’s ADMC Program will go into effect in mid-March 2023. HIWU will continue to keep racing participants and other stakeholders up to date on the official timing for implementation of the program.Unless and until the ADMC Rules are approved and an exact implementation date is determined, states will continue to operate under their current rules and regulations. However, the coming months leading up to the likely implementation of HISA’s ADMC Program offer a great opportunity to provide stakeholders with additional time to understand the components of the Program and get their questions answered. To this end, we will continue to hold meetings with and distribute resources to industry members. This engagement is not intended to confuse anyone as there is no question that state anti-doping and medication regulations remain in effect for now. It is simply to give interested industry participants access to education and resources to facilitate a smooth transition if and when the HISA ADMC Program comes into effect.HISA’s ADMC Program will create uniformity, promote integrity, and enhance equine welfare in Thoroughbred racing nationwide. For this game-changing program to be effective, all constituents must be informed and prepared. We are committed to this goal in advance of the implementation date and beyond.The HIWU team welcomes questions regarding the ADMC Program, and we encourage you to reach out to us at info@hiwu.org or (816) 285-1425. Stakeholders can also find a growing library of educational materials at hiwu.org. With your support, we will administer a world-class anti-doping program for Thoroughbred racing.

Continuing Education Regarding the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program

“As the designated independent enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, the Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit (HIWU) has spent the past seven months preparing for the Program’s implementation on January 1, 2023, and stood ready to enforce this national, uniform program on that date pending approval from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Following today’s decision by the FTC to deny HISA’s draft ADMC rules without prejudice due to current legal uncertainties, HIWU will continue its education and outreach efforts to all stakeholders in the Thoroughbred industry. As HISA re-submits the draft ADMC rules for the FTC’s approval, HIWU will use any additional time before implementation as an opportunity to ensure the industry is even more prepared for an efficient rollout of this Program, which will promote fair competition in the sport of Thoroughbred racing and the safety and welfare of our human and equine athletes.”Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications &amp; Outreach(816) 516-9572<a href="mailto:aravit@hiwu.org">aravit@hiwu.org</a> &nbsp;

Statement from Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit Executive Director Ben Mosier

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit (HIWU) are accepting inquiries from individuals interested in serving on the Internal Adjudication Panel (IAP) established by HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which goes into effect January 1, 2023.Under the ADMC Program, members of the IAP will adjudicate Controlled Medication Rule Violations, which are defined in <a href="https://assets.hiwu.org/a/3000.+protocol+-+08.17.2022+-+final.pdf?updated_at=2022-12-30T17:43:10.393Z">Rule Series 3000: Equine Anti-Doping and Controlled Medication Protocol</a>. They are appointed by mutual agreement of HISA and HIWU for four-year terms and will serve as independent contractors to both entities. The list of IAP members will be published on <a href="https://www.hiwu.org/">hiwu.org</a>.“Racing participants, fans, and bettors deserve a process for adjudicating potential violations of HISA’s medication rules that is uniform, efficient, and fair,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “The creation of the IAP will allow us to bring seasoned experts together to ensure each case is handled with the utmost integrity and professionalism.”“The IAP will play a key role in ensuring that Controlled Medication Rule Violations are adjudicated swiftly and fairly under HISA’s ADMC Program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director for HIWU. “Our goal is to compile a diverse and experienced group to handle these cases and promote the integrity of Thoroughbred racing.”Interested candidates should have at least five years of experience in hearing equine medication cases, either as stewards or in other regulatory roles in the equine industry. Active state stewards are permitted to serve on the IAP but will be prohibited from participating in cases originating in their state of employment. Those selected as IAP members will receive training on the ADMC Program before they are assigned to cases.Additional information about requirements for service on the IAP and adjudication procedures for Controlled Medication Rule Violations can be found in the <a href="https://assets.hiwu.org/a/7000.+arbitration+procedures+-+08.17.2022+-+final.pdf?updated_at=2022-12-30T17:41:05.396Z">Rule Series 7000: Arbitration Procedures</a> from HISA’s ADMC Program regulations that were submitted to the Federal Trade Commission.Those who are interested in applying for the IAP should submit a cover letter, resume, and list of references to <a href="mailto:info@hiwu.org">info@hiwu.org</a> with a subject line of “Internal Adjudication Panel.”<h3>About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority</h3>Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of rules applicable to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility. HISA is composed 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 goes into effect January 1, 2023.<h3>About the Horseracing Integrity &amp; Welfare Unit</h3>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, which will be effective as of January 1, 2023, will create a centralized testing and results management process and apply uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across all American Thoroughbred racing jurisdictions that HISA governs. HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders on the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential violations, and prosecute any such violations.<h3>About Drug Free Sport International</h3>Drug Free Sport International is a worldwide leader in the sport drug testing industry. Drug Free Sport International administers comprehensive drug testing programs, manages national and international collections, develops drug testing policies, and provides educational services to a wide range of professional and amateur athletics organizations around the world. Its highly educated, experienced, and diverse staff is committed to quality, technical innovation, and maintaining the most extensive network of highly trained and certified sport drug testing collectors in the industry.Contact: Alexa Ravit, Director of Communications &amp; Outreach(816) 516-9572<a href="mailto:aravit@hiwu.org">aravit@hiwu.org</a>

Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit Recruiting Members for Internal Adjudication Panel

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