Horse Racing

HISA Tabs Drug Free Sport International as an Enforcement Agency Partner


Edited press release

The Horseracing Authority for Safety and Integrity (HISA) Board of Directors has selected Drug Free Sports International (DFS) to create HISA’s independent Anti-Doping and Drug Control (ADMC) enforcement agency. . The decision follows months of discussions with a number of potential enforcement agencies and marks another significant milestone in the implementation of the Horseracing Safety and Integrity Act.

HISA searched DFS based on a history of drug testing and enforcement partnerships with leading sports organizations, including the National Football League, NCAA, National Basketball Association, Professional Golf Association, and Professional Golf Association. Women’s, PGA Tour, NASCAR and Major League Baseball. DFS will establish the Equestrian Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), led by a five-member Advisory Council, to serve as the new ADMC enforcement agency for Thoroughbred racing.

“I am delighted that Drug Free Sport International is partnering with us to act as HISA’s independent ADMC enforcement agency by establishing the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit,” said CEO Lisa Lazarus. of HISA said. “DFS is a longstanding leader as demonstrated by its success and continued involvement with a number of U.S. and international sports organizations and leagues. HISA and HIWU intend to work closely with state racing commissions to establish a comprehensive and robust program that includes unified testing protocols, adjudication processes, and enforcement mechanisms to increase enhance accountability and improve the integrity of the contest for participants, fans and bettors. ”

Adolpho Birch, Chairman of the HISA ADMC Committee and Senior Vice President of Business Affairs & Chief Legal Officer for the NFL’s Tennessee Titles. “HISA also acknowledges and thanks Travis Tygart and USADA for their cooperation and leadership in developing the proposed regulations that will underpin our work going forward. Along with the efforts that led to the adoption of HISA, they have left an indelible mark on the equestrian profession and equine welfare. ”

Chris Guinty, CEO of DFS said: “On behalf of the entire DFS team, we are excited to expand our work to protect the integrity of sport to purebred motorsport. ,” Chris Guinty, CEO of DFS. “Creating a new enforcement agency is an important task, but we are starting from a strong position thanks to the efforts of so many people to date.”

HIWU will be chaired by Jonathan Taylor QC, London-based partner and leader of the Sports Team at international law firm Bird & Bird. Taylor has in-depth and extensive knowledge of anti-doping issues in international sport, including serving as chair of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Compliance Review Committee, a Commission Independent Standing Committee of WADA’s Executive Committee. Taylor is also a longtime external legal advisor to the International Equestrian Federation and the British Equestrian Authority.

“I am honored to join Lisa, Adolpho and the entire HISA team as they work with DFS to develop and implement the first nationally unified anti-doping and drug control standards for races. Thoroughbred. These standards will meaningfully enhance the integrity of American equestrianism and help ensure a solid future for the sport for generations to come,” Taylor said.

In addition, HISA announced the appointment of 4 other members of the HIWU Advisory Council, including:

  • Larry Bowers, former Chief Science Officer at USADA; During his time at USADA, Dr. Bowers played a key role in developing the first WADA International Standard for Laboratories and establishing research funding programs for both USADA and the Partnership. Clean Competition. Before joining USADA, Dr. Bowers made groundbreaking contributions to anti-doping science.
  • Larry Bramlage, DVM, MS, DACVS, equine orthopedic surgeon at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital; Bramlage serves on the board of directors of the Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation and has received numerous awards, including the American College of Veterinary Medicine Legend Award, Jockey Club Gold Medal and British Equine Veterinary Society Special Award, for his work.
  • Sonja Keating, General Counsel, United States Equestrian Federation (USEF); Keating has worked for USEF for over 15 years and previously practiced litigation in the Lexington offices of Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP.
  • Günter Younger, Director of Intelligence and Investigations at WADA; Before joining WADA, Younger served as Head of Cybercrime at Bavarian Landeskriminalamt (BLKA), in Germany. During this time, he also served on the WADA’s three-member independent committee to investigate and expose rampant doping in Russian athletics.

The investigative function is expected to be supported by 5 Stones intelligence, a leading professional services firm that includes former DEA, FBI, IRS, ATF, and NYPD Agents and Detectives who have served led some of the largest sports investigations in history. Information from the 5 Stones played a key role in the federal indictments of dozens of people involved in horse racing by the United States Attorney, Southern District of New York.

“We are deeply grateful to the members of the HIWU Advisory Board and the 5 Stones for lending their expertise and accumulated experience to support our efforts,” said Lazarus.

Working extensively with USADA and a wide range of industry stakeholders, HISA has developed draft comprehensive ADMC rules. HIWU and HISA will build on that foundation in the coming weeks and will submit updated draft rules to the industry and public comment by the end of May. Draft rules will be submitted to the Assembly. HISA board for approval and then submitted to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) by July 1 to begin the rule-making process with the goal of implementing the FTC-approved program by July 1. January 2023 .





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