News

As part of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) ongoing commitment to developing and enforcing rules based on current scientific and veterinary evidence, both organizations are pleased to announce today that HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Committee has recommended the adoption of a Minimum Reporting Level (MRL) for the Banned Substance metformin in the latest version of proposed modifications to the ADMC Program Rules, which will be circulated for public comment in the coming days. 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). Pre-HISA, the Association of Racing Commissioners International’s (ARCI) Model Rules categorized metformin as a Prohibited Substance, but there was not a published testing specification for it, which meant that reported findings were determined by an individual laboratory’s Limit of Detection for the substance. As such, enforcement of metformin lacked uniformity and consistency among the states. Once HIWU assumed control of the ADMC Program, the testing specifications for metformin were harmonized based on the capabilities of Program laboratories at 0.5 nanograms per milliliter in blood and 1 nanogram per milliliter in urine. This ensured that all laboratories were testing at the same level, thus maintaining fairness for horsemen regardless of where they race. Following a series of positive test results (i.e., Adverse Analytical Findings, or AAFs) for metformin and intelligence received by HIWU that trainers were intentionally administering metformin to Covered Horses to enhance performance, HISA and HIWU asked the RMTC's SAC to conduct an independent review of the available science relating to metformin in June 2024 to determine if it was appropriate to modify the regulation of this substance. During this period, HIWU stayed the prosecution of all unresolved and new cases involving potential Presence violations (i.e., positive tests) for metformin, although there have been zero reported AAFs in 2025 while testing at 0.5 nanograms per milliliter in blood and 1 nanogram per milliliter in urine. The SAC’s investigation consisted of an initial review of the existing scientific literature followed by a three-part study performed by Dr. Heather Knych with the K.L. Maddy Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory at the University of California (UC), Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The research completed by Dr. Knych and her team has resulted in three manuscripts that have all been submitted for scientific publication, the first of which, “Metformin in the Horse: Pharmacokinetics and Detection Times Using Monte Carlo Simulations," has been accepted for publication in Drug Testing and Analysis. The manuscripts describe the pharmacokinetics (i.e., how the body interacts with a substance) of metformin following a single intravenous and oral administration in the horse; the pharmacokinetics of metformin in various blood matrices, including partitioning into equine red blood cells; and the potential for detection of metformin in blood and urine samples following a horse’s exposure to metformin-contaminated urine and shavings. The SAC agreed that an MRL of 4.0 nanograms per milliliter in blood reflects exposure to metformin due to intentional administration and minimizes the possibility of a reported AAF due to inadvertent exposure. Dr. Knych’s administration study determined that metformin demonstrates an erratic elimination behavior in urine and an inconsistent relationship between urine and blood concentrations. Therefore, the SAC recommended that laboratories perform confirmatory analysis in blood only. “We are thankful to UC Davis, Dr. Knych, and her team for performing groundbreaking research on metformin. HISA and HIWU’s call for this review of metformin aligns with our mandate to utilize science when making regulatory decisions to prioritize safety, integrity, welfare, and fairness,” said HIWU Executive Director Ben Mosier. “Additionally, we appreciate our ongoing collaboration with the RMTC’s SAC to facilitate these research projects and ultimately enhance the effectiveness of the ADMC Program.” There are currently nine unresolved (and therefore stayed) Presence cases for metformin. They will continue to be stayed pending the Federal Trade Commission’s approval of the new MRL. If approved, this change will not impact cases that were resolved prior to the June 2024 announcement and involved violations of the rules and testing specifications in effect at the time. Metformin, which has no valid veterinary use in the racehorse, will remain a Banned Substance. The Presence, Use, Administration, Possession, or Trafficking of any Banned Substance is subject to a period of Ineligibility of up to two years, a fine of up to $25,000, the disqualification of race results (as applicable), and public disclosure. Horsemen are encouraged to maintain best practices for stable hygiene in their training operations to minimize the risk of inadvertent exposure to metformin and other Prohibited Substances. About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority When 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 went into effect 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 & Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). 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 established 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, Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

In recent months, HIWU has been informed of the reported use of N-Butyl-Alcohol, which may be sold under product names such as Clotol, Clot All, Butanol, or N-Butyl-Alcohol. Horsemen should be aware that N-Butyl-Alcohol meets the criteria of an S0 Banned Substance under HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program because it is not FDA-approved for use in any species and does not have a valid veterinary use in the horse. It is therefore a Banned Substance. The intravenous administration of large doses of N-Butyl-Alcohol may also compromise horse welfare. This substance will be formally added to HISA’s Prohibited List as a Banned Substance in the next iteration of the ADMC Program Rules. In the interim, Covered Persons should dispose of any products containing N-Butyl-Alcohol immediately to avoid future potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations, which will be enforced starting in January 2026. As a reminder, the Presence, Use, Administration, Possession, or Trafficking of any Banned Substance is subject to a period of Ineligibility of up to two years, a fine of up to $25,000, the disqualification of race results (as applicable), and public disclosure. Horsemen or veterinarians with questions should reach out to sciencesupport@hiwu.org.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that Equine Integrity and Anti-Doping Sciences (EQIAS) Labs has been granted probationary Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation and will start accepting Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program samples, effective immediately. EQIAS Labs, formerly known as the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, is no longer managed by the university and is now operated by Eagle Diagnostics, an affiliate of The Sports Medicine Research and Testing Laboratory (SMRTL). EQIAS Labs applied for HEAL accreditation after the laboratory achieved interim Racing Medication & Testing Consortium accreditation under the University of Kentucky in December 2024. EQIAS Labs submitted detailed documentation demonstrating its qualifications and capabilities to perform the testing required under the ADMC Program in compliance with the Program Rules. Additionally, HIWU conducted a site visit and directed the distribution of multiple External Quality Assessment Scheme samples to EQIAS Labs for analysis. All documentation and assessments were reviewed by the three members of the independent Laboratory Expert Group, who voted to approve EQIAS Labs for probationary HEAL accreditation. The Laboratory Expert Group is required by the ADMC Program Rules and evaluates the performance of Program laboratories, in addition to providing HIWU with advice and recommendations regarding the overall management of HEAL accreditation and the Equine Laboratory Standards included in the ADMC Program Rules. “HIWU is excited to partner with EQIAS Labs and renew ADMC Program testing in Kentucky,” said Ben Mosier, HIWU’s executive director. “We are confident that EQIAS Labs will utilize the best of both equine and human anti-doping science and will be a positive addition to our Program.” EQIAS Labs is led by Dr. Travis Mays, who spent more than 20 years at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, while SMRTL is a global industry leader in human drug testing and is accredited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. EQIAS Labs will be analyzing ADMC Program samples collected in Kentucky, as well as assigned B Samples. The full list of Program laboratories is published on the HIWU website. 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 established 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, Director of Communications & Outreach (816) 516-9572 aravit@hiwu.org

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that it has suspended the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory’s (PETRL) probationary Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation status for a minimum of six months, beginning July 8, 2025. Effective immediately, samples collected in Pennsylvania are being sent to Industrial Laboratories for analysis. HIWU’s independent Laboratory Expert Group, which evaluates the performance of Program laboratories, recommended the suspension of PETRL’s probationary HEAL accreditation due to nonconformities associated with HEAL compliance. HIWU, in consultation with its Laboratory Expert Group, will review PETRL’s response to this suspension and associated corrective actions. Probationary accreditation status will not be restored unless and until the laboratory is in full compliance with HEAL. HIWU’s review of PETRL is ongoing, and any impact on resolved or pending ADMC Program cases will be publicly disclosed in accordance with Program rules. The HEAL accreditation program was implemented on January 1, 2025, and is the national laboratory accreditation program established by HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. Overseen by HIWU, it builds on the foundations of the ISO 17025 and Racing Medication & Testing Consortium models and requires a robust External Quality Assessment Scheme to ensure that Program laboratories maintain HEAL standards. 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 established 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 

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that Dr. Mary Scollay, HIWU’s chief of science, has retired from full-time duties, effective immediately. She will continue to serve as a consultant for HIWU. “Dr. Scollay was integral to the creation of HIWU and the launch and enforcement of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “In the three-plus years since our first introduction at Turfway Park’s test barn, her contributions have been immeasurable. “The entire HIWU team is thankful for Dr. Scollay’s service on behalf of the Thoroughbred industry, and we are grateful that we will continue to benefit from her expertise as a consultant.” Before joining HIWU, Scollay was a member of HISA’s inaugural ADMC Committee. She also served as the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium’s (RMTC) executive director and chief operating officer for three years, where she directed the advancement of world-class laboratory drug testing standards, promotion of RMTC-recommended rules and penalties for prohibited substances and therapeutic medications, monitoring of emerging threats to the integrity of racing and the health and welfare of racehorses, and administrative oversight of RMTC-funded research projects and educational programs. Prior to leading the RMTC, Scollay was a regulatory veterinarian for more than 30 years, including 11 years serving as the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission’s equine medical director. She piloted the program that became known as The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database (EID), which was the first North American database to track equine injuries and fatalities. The EID was the sole source of equine injury data until HISA began releasing safety metrics reports in 2024,and it continues to be an important source of information for improving safety and reducing injuries. HIWU's Science department will now transition to be under the leadership of Dr. Michael Hardy, who assumes the position of acting chief of science. For the immediate future, Hardy will also maintain his role as executive director of the RMTC to ensure the organization continues to meet the needs of the racing industry. “HIWU has enjoyed a productive relationship with Dr. Hardy in his role at the RMTC, and we are excited for him to join our team,” said Mosier. “We are confident that he will build on our successes thus far to promote laboratory harmonization and facilitate research into novel substances that pose a threat to safety, integrity, and welfare.” Hardy joins HIWU after spending nearly three years as the executive director of the RMTC. A member of HISA’s Horsemen’s Advisory Group, he spent more than a decade as a regulatory veterinarian, including serving as the chief association veterinarian and safety director at Horseshoe Indianapolis. He is also a member of the Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Panel and has served on the Horseracing Testing Laboratory Committee and RegVets Continuing Education Program’s Committee for the RMTC. 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 established 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. About the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium The RMTC is a 501(c) 3 organization comprised of 23 industry stakeholder organizations with a shared commitment to engage in research, education, and advocacy for science-based initiatives that promote the health and safety of the racehorse and the integrity of competition. More information can be found at RMTCnet.com. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org 

With summer officially underway, HIWU would like to remind horsemen and veterinarians of regulations regarding the administration of electrolytes within 48 and 24 hours of a race or Vets’ List workout: Permitted at any time: • Salt and mineral blocks. • Unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions that may be consumed by free choice by the horse, i.e., providing a second water bucket in the stall that has been supplemented with electrolytes. Permitted up to 24 hours before a race or Vets’ List workout: • Electrolytes that are administered orally. Examples that fall in this category include powders that are top-dressed or mixed in the feed, as well as electrolytes administered via paste. • Unsupplemented isotonic electrolyte solutions administered intravenously such as Lactated Ringer’s solution. • Electrolyte patches.* Permitted up to 48 hours before a race or Vets’ List workout: • Electrolytes administered via nasogastric (stomach) tube. *Since electrolyte patches are not consumed “free choice” by a horse in feed or water, their use is prohibited within 24 hours of a race or Vets’ List workout The restrictions above only apply in relation to races and Vets' List workouts. Outside of those circumstances, electrolytes may be administered at any time. The above information can also be found in HIWU’s Electrolyte Guidance resource on our website and app. Please direct any questions to sciencesupport@hiwu.org. Yours, The HIWU Team

In recent months, HIWU has adjudicated several cases under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program related to adenosine, a vasodilator, and Hemo 15, a foreign product that lacks FDA approval. Neither substance has any valid veterinary use in the racehorse. Both substances are categorized as an S0 Non-Approved Banned Substance and therefore are prohibited from Use in a Covered Horse or Possession by a Covered Person at all times. Hemo 15 and any compounded product mimicking Hemo 15, as well as any products containing adenosine, adenosine monophosphate (AMP), or adenosine triphosphate (ATP)* should be disposed of immediately. As a reminder, the Presence, Use, Administration, Possession, or Trafficking of any Banned Substance is subject to a period of Ineligibility of up to two years, a fine of up to $25,000, the disqualification of race results (as applicable), and public disclosure. Horsemen or veterinarians with questions should reach out to sciencesupport@hiwu.org. *Adenosine is also a component of AMP and ATP.

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today the release of its 2024 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 (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. Among the highlights are statistics on testing, results management, the adjudication of cases, investigations, and educational efforts. The 2024 Annual Report introduces expanded testing statistics by state and racetrack, including the number of samples collected for each test type. Additionally, it reveals shorter turnaround times for results reporting compared to 2023, showcases the impact of HIWU’s investigative efforts, and reports a consistently low rate of Adverse Analytical Findings for Controlled Medications, demonstrating that the vast majority of Covered Persons are complying with the ADMC Program Rules. “HIWU’s successes in 2024 reflect the dedication of our team and the entire Thoroughbred industry,” said Ben Mosier, executive director for HIWU. “The collaboration between HIWU and industry stakeholders enabled us to build on the ADMC Program’s strong foundation that was established in 2023. HISA’s reported record-low fatality numbers last year indicate that we are fulfilling our mandates to enhance equine safety and welfare and promote the integrity of racing.” All Annual Reports and Quarterly Statistics are 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 established 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

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) announced today that it has directed the Pennsylvania Equine Toxicology and Research Laboratory (PETRL), a Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program laboratory, to modify its instrumentation and methodology for TCO2 testing to mass spectrometry so that it is consistent with HIWU’s three other Program laboratories. PETRL has already transitioned to this methodology, which is also independently endorsed by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities. HIWU began its review of PETRL’s procedures in response to a disproportionately high number of reports of elevated TCO2 levels from the laboratory and worked with horsemen’s representatives throughout this process. HIWU first undertook a comprehensive assessment of testing documentation and laboratory processes at PETRL before asking the Kenneth L. Maddy Equine Analytical Laboratory at the University of California Davis to conduct an administration study to compare the findings reported by the Program laboratories. PETRL’s instrument (a clinical blood gas analyzer) and related methodology had been used and accepted as valid by the horse racing industry to regulate TCO2 for years prior to the implementation of the ADMC Program, and HIWU found no evidence of laboratory error or instrument failure by PETRL. However, the data from the administration study indicated that PETRL’s results did not correlate with those of the three other laboratories, which all used an instrument and methodology (mass spectrometry) different from PETRL’s. In response, HIWU has issued a new mandate for mass spectrometry to be adopted as the industry standard for TCO2 analysis confirmation. This method is used to analyze virtually all other substances regulated under the ADMC Program. In the interest of fairness to horsemen, all pending TCO2 cases originating in Pennsylvania have been withdrawn; due to the accelerated degradation of TCO2 samples compared to other analytes, HIWU could not send previously analyzed samples to other Program laboratories to compare the results. For cases that have already been resolved, HISA offered to return purse money, refund fines, notify Equibase to remove the disqualifications, and remove penalty points from the affected trainers’ records. Purse money that has already been distributed by racetracks in relation to these cases will not be affected. “The discovery of inconsistencies in TCO2 testing across Program laboratories and HIWU’s subsequent responsibility to establish harmonization among them represent the benefits of a national ADMC program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. “Unlike under state-based regulatory structures, our Program laboratories are in ongoing communication to discuss and compare methods. This collaboration is what enabled us to identify and resolve discrepancies in TCO2 testing despite the longstanding validity of the methods and instruments being used.” “I commend HIWU for taking action in response to the high rate of TCO2 findings at PETRL and ultimately facilitating the harmonization of TCO2 testing among Pennsylvania and other states,” said Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr., executive director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association. “Ben and his team listened to our horsemen’s concerns and were in ongoing communication with us while the laboratory was reviewed. We’re also appreciative of HISA for their decision to offer to withdraw sanctions imposed for cases that have already been resolved. “This process represents an example of how a national, uniform system helps horsemen and how we, HIWU, and HISA can work together for the benefit of the entire industry.” Evaluation of testing at Program laboratories is ongoing to ensure consistency and fairness in results reporting. HIWU has implemented HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation as of January 1, 2025. HEAL accreditation includes a robust Equine Quality Assurance Scheme sample program. About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority When 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 went into effect 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 & Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). Contact: Mandy Minger, HISA Director of Communications (917) 846-8804 mandy.minger@hisaus.org 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 established 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

The Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) and Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) released today the results of HIWU’s investigation of the University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (UK-EACL). The full report can be accessed here. The report details the events leading up to the investigation, including UK-EACL’s persistent delays in reporting results, unprofessional staff behavior, and unresponsiveness to HIWU communications. Ultimately, the catalyst for the commencement of the investigation was the discovery by HIWU of intentional misrepresentations that were made about Sample analysis. Key findings of the six-month long investigation include: - UK-EACL’s failure to comply with mandatory testing specifications and instructions, including its standard operating procedures and sample analysis methods. - UK-EACL misrepresented both its ability to test for specific substances, including erythropoietin (EPO), and the completion of analysis for certain substances on specific Samples. - At the direction of UK-EACL Director Dr. Scott Stanley, the laboratory failed to perform confirmatory analysis on 91 Samples whose initial screening showed the potential presence of a Prohibited Substance and therefore required follow-up, instead reporting the Samples as Negative. As a result of these findings, HIWU re-analyzed and reconciled all remaining potentially affected Samples, and HISA has sought repayment from the University of Kentucky for the laboratory’s non-compliant services. “A key component of HIWU’s mandate is to protect the integrity of Thoroughbred racing and resolve potential deficiencies as soon as possible,” said Ben Mosier, HIWU’s executive director. “Through our decision to investigate UK-EACL and consequent discovery of ongoing deceitful activities, we’re proud to have uncovered and halted these unacceptable practices that were unfair to our horsemen and put horses at risk.” “HISA’s and HIWU’s actions to uncover these wrongdoings and quickly remedy them is a testament to how the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program is enhancing the integrity of our sport and ensuring fairness in competition,” said HISA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Lazarus. “We also thank the University of Kentucky for their partnership and cooperation in the investigation.” To provide further assurance that the other Program Laboratories are in compliance with the ADMC Program requirements, HIWU has bolstered its Negative Sample Exchange Program and is preparing to implement HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation on January 1, 2025. HEAL accreditation will include enhanced compliance oversight by HIWU and a more robust Equine Quality Assurance Scheme sample program. Currently, in a transitional phase, lab accreditation is handled by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium. HISA/HIWU were initially required to utilize the services of UK-EACL under the requirements of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act. HEAL accreditation will give HIWU a strengthened ability to ensure strict compliance by all Program Laboratories with all ADMC Program requirements. About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority When 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 went into effect 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 & Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). 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 established 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 Mandy Minger, HISA Director of Communications (917) 846-8804 mandy.minger@hisaus.org

Earlier today, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) and Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) were notified by the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) that the RMTC had suspended its accreditation of the Analytical Forensic Testing Laboratory at the University of Illinois Chicago (“UIC Lab”). This laboratory is responsible for analyzing all samples collected in Illinois, which constitute approximately 3% of all samples collected to date under the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program. The ADMC Program rules require that RMTC-accredited laboratories are used prior to the implementation of HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation standards, which will take effect in 2025. With the RMTC’s decision to suspend accreditation for the UIC Lab, HIWU is immediately diverting samples collected in Illinois to other Program laboratories. HISA and HIWU remain in communication with the RMTC and Illinois Racing Board for this ongoing matter and have no further comment at this time. Contact: Alexa Ravit, HIWU Director of Communications & Outreach  (816) 516-9572  aravit@hiwu.org

This afternoon, the Louisiana State Racing Commission held an Emergency Public Meeting at which the Commission voted to rescind in full the emergency updates to Louisiana’s controlled medication schedule for thoroughbred racing, which reportedly were set to take effect tomorrow in Louisiana (the “Emergency Rule”). With the complete rescission of the Emergency Rule, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, Inc. (“HISA”) will not require Covered Horses shipping from Louisiana to a HISA jurisdiction to be placed on the HISA Veterinarians’ List as medically compromised and unfit to race as announced in the June 5, 2024 Memorandum. HISA appreciates the Commission’s willingness to reconsider this important matter.