'Landmark moment' - campaigners hail overhaul of drug regulation in US racing

A landmark bill to overhaul the oversight of drug and medication rules, along with drug testing, in American racing was approved by the US Senate on Monday and awaits President Donald Trump's signature.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) will bring about the formation of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority and take responsibility for drug and medication rules away from state regulators.

Under the new legislation, the Federal Trade Commission would have oversight of the authority and the United States Anti-Doping Agency would serve as the authority's enforcement arm.

The HISA received bipartisan support, with representatives having noted the state-to-state regulatory approach lacked uniformity, relied too much on post-race testing and too often had active participants — or people with close ties to the sport's participants — making decisions from their roles on regulatory boards.

Republican Andy Barr, one of the main champions of the bill, said: “With passage of the HISA in Congress we are in the final stretch of achieving the most transformational and consequential reform of the thoroughbred horseracing industry since enactment of the Interstate Horseracing Act of 1978.

“For almost a decade, I have worked with industry stakeholders and my Congressional colleagues to build consensus around reforms that will protect equine athletes and strengthen confidence and international competitiveness in the sport.”

Keeneland: long-term supporter of the legislationCredit: Getty Images

Keeneland, which had supported the legislation from early on, and the New York Racing Association applauded the advancement of the bill.

"The passage of HISA is a landmark moment for the thoroughbred racing community's ongoing efforts to ensure our horses are running under the safest and most transparent conditions possible and to protect the integrity of the sport for our athletes, horsemen and fans," said Keeneland president and CEO Bill Thomason and president-elect Shannon Arvin in a joint statement.

"The independent authority established by HISA will bring a level of consistency and accountability that will improve our sport for years to come as they work to develop and implement uniform anti-doping, medication control and operational measures. Keeneland is honoured to have been involved in this groundbreaking legislation."

Breeders' Cup and top track owners had formed the Thoroughbred Safety Coalition (TSC) last year to work toward changes within the industry. The TSC also applauded the federal legislation in a statement.

“The passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act marks a historic moment for thoroughbred racing as we embark on a new path to a better, safer sport for all," the TSC said.

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