LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2021)—The Nominating Committee of The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) announced today the appointment of the HISA Authority board of directors along with members of two standing committees. The establishment of the initial Authority board and standing committees is another milestone and the latest important development related to HISA, which became federal law in December 2020.

Under the oversight of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the Authority will implement consistent, transparent, and enforceable rules across all state racing jurisdictions. These efforts will be divided into an Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program, which will be executed and enforced in partnership with the United States Anti-Doping Authority (USADA), and a Racetrack Safety Program. Additionally, the Authority will work with state regulators and horsemen’s groups to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective approach to implementing the new programs.

The nine-member HISA Authority consists of the following individuals: Steve Beshear, Kentucky (independent director); Leonard Coleman, Florida (independent director); Ellen McClain, New York (independent director); Charles Scheeler, Maryland (independent director); Adolpho Birch, chair of the Anti-Doping and Medication Control standing committee, Tennessee (independent director); Joseph De Francis, Maryland (industry director); Susan Stover, chair of the Racetrack Safety standing committee, California (industry director); Bill Thomason, Kentucky (industry director); and D.G. Van Clief, Virginia (industry director).

A seven-member Racetrack Safety Standing Committee consists of the following individuals: Susan Stover, chair (California, industry director); Lisa Fortier, New York (independent member); Peter Hester, Kentucky (independent member); Paul Lunn, North Carolina (independent member); Carl Mattacola, North Carolina (independent member); Glen Kozak, New York (industry member); and John Velazquez, New York (industry member).

A seven-member Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committee consists of the following individuals: Adolpho Birch, chair (Tennessee, independent director); Jeff Novitzky, Nevada (independent member); Kathleen Stroia, Florida (independent member); Jerry Yon, Florida (independent member); Jeff Blea, California (industry member); Mary Scollay, Kentucky (industry member); and Scott Stanley, Kentucky (industry member).

HISA has received broad support from many segments within and outside of the Thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.

 

Breeders’ Cup Limited

“Breeders’ Cup has supported the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act from day one, and today’s announcement gives us even more confidence in the uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational standards that will be effectively and efficiently implemented and enforced by the independent Authority. On behalf of the Breeders’ Cup Board of Directors and Members, I’d like to thank the nominating committee for assembling these esteemed individuals to lead the Authority’s Board of Directors and Standing Committees. Together, they will make racing a safer, more transparent sport for generations to come.”

Drew Fleming, President and Chief Executive Officer, Breeders’ Cup Limited

 

Churchill Downs, Inc.

“The establishment of an independent, diverse and knowledgeable national authority represents another milestone for horse racing and brings us one step closer to the implementation of world class uniform standards across the United States.”

Bill Carstanjen, Chief Executive Officer, Churchill Downs, Inc.

 

Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) strongly commends the work of the Blue-Ribbon Nominating Committee formed to select the members for Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act Authority Board.  The Committee, co-chaired by Dr. Nancy Cox and Len Coleman, struck an ideal balance of board members who have regional and ethnic diversity and deep experience in anti-doping and track safety issues.  Passing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was only the first act of this multi-year effort.  Act two is when the rubber will meet the road, and having the right people, with the right experience, on the right committees will make the difference between success and failure.  Today, the nomination committee took that first positive step toward making integrity and safety a priority in this sport, and they should be applauded for their work. 

Shawn Smeallie, Executive Director, Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity

 

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

“The Del Mar Thoroughbred Club (DMTC) applauds the naming of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) Authority and its standing committees. As a founding member of the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition and an accredited racetrack of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance, Del Mar looks forward to working with HISA to ensure our sport is conducted nationally at the very highest levels of safety and integrity.”

Josh Rubinstein, President and Chief Operating Officer, Del Mar Thoroughbred Club

Humane Society of the United States

“The Humane Society Legislative Fund and the Humane Society of the United States congratulate Joe DeFrancis, the Chair of the HSUS Horse Racing Advisory Council, on his selection to the Authority spearheading reform in the horse racing industry. The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, a priority bill we advocated for last Congress, was signed into law and mandates industry reform on doping horses and improving racetrack safety, said Sara Amundson, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. All of the members of this pivotal committee should be acknowledged for standing up to undertake the task ahead of them to secure a healthy and safe future for all racehorses as mandated by the law.”

Sara Amundson, President, Humane Society Legislative Fund

 

The Jockey Club

“We applaud the selections for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) board and committees by the HISA nominating committee. They have chosen an excellent and diverse group with a broad array of relevant expertise. For many years, we have wished for one central authority to regulate medication use and safety matters for the sport of Thoroughbred racing. We are elated that will become a reality as early as next year.” 

Stuart S. Janney III, Chairman, The Jockey Club

 

Keeneland Association

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is a milestone step toward building a better, safer sport that will strengthen public confidence in racing. The Authority, under the leadership of the qualified individuals announced today, will replace the current patchwork of regulations that vary across racing jurisdictions with consistent and enforceable rules, including medication restrictions, operational reforms and a racetrack safety program. Keeneland fully supports this collaborative effort to codify the culture of safety and integrity that will protect and modernize our sport for our fans, participants and, most importantly, our horses.”

Shannon Arvin, President and Chief Executive Officer, Keeneland Association 

 

National Thoroughbred Racing Association

“The HISA Authority and standing committee appointments announced today include a diverse group of individuals with the right combination of independence and relevant experience necessary to establish uniform national anti-doping and racetrack safety standards as well as implement the tough but fair enforcement procedures essential to ensuring compliance with these standards.”

Alex Waldrop, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Thoroughbred Racing Association   

 

New York Racing Association, Inc.

“The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) is a monumental step forward that will help secure the future of thoroughbred racing in the United States. The appointment of the HISA Authority Board of Directors marks the next step in the implementation of this crucial legislation, and NYRA looks forward to working closely with the well qualified individuals announced today.”

Dave O’Rourke, President and Chief Executive Officer, New York Racing Association, Inc. (NYRA)