Horseracing’s integrity and welfare unit released details on February 17th about a groundbreaking program for horse racing that aims to improve the sport’s drug testing by combining information investigation to better focus efforts on potential fraudsters.
Under the implementation of HIWU, the Equestrian Integrity and Safety Administration’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control program will introduce a strategic, intelligence-based test plan to be deployed. nationally unified. These standardized testing protocols are designed to promote Thoroughbred race integrity and horse safety while modernizing the sampling process at Thoroughbred races across the country.
HIWU is expected to begin enforcement of the ADMC Program on March 27, 2023, pending approval of the ADMC rules submitted to the Federal Trade Commission in December and published in the Agency. Federal Register on January 26.
The strategic program was outlined in a HIWU press release on Friday.
HIWU’s executive team will adopt an interdisciplinary approach to nationwide testing distribution with a focus on ensuring the quality and effectiveness of the doping control process. Operational strategy will also be informed by collaborating with investigations to incorporate and act on pertinent information received through HIWU’s anonymous whistleblower platform.
While HIWU has the sole discretion to select horses to be insured for all types of testing, intelligence from “ground-breaking” industry participants, including managers and doctors, is available. veterinarian, and continued cooperation with state racing commissions and scientific/laboratory partners will also inform the trial selection process. HIWU’s experimental approach will aim to enforce accountability in the management of controlled drugs and methods while preventing the use of prohibited substances and prohibited methods.
“Our test distribution strategy is designed to create a better environment for the rules-abiding riders,” said Kate Mittelstadt, chief executive officer of HIWU. “We will identify those who willfully violate the ADMC Program and hold them accountable,”
All tests in the ADMC Program will be performed by certified and trained HIWU sampling personnel. Many current test barn staff and veterinarians will continue in their positions while operating under a voluntary agreement between HIWU and their respective states or racetracks. In jurisdictions where there is no voluntary agreement, HIWU will form groups and contract individuals, including through recruitment and consultation with trial barn staff and physicians. experienced veterinarian.
A key component of the certification will be training in a paperless documentation system through the HIWU app which will be pre-populated with race dates and relevant covered horses from InCompass and the HISA portal . The app was developed in partnership with EventLog, which has developed similar apps for the UK’s Equestrian Authority, the Equestrian Authority of Ireland, and the United States Equestrian Federation.
SCP covering all tracks will be trained on-site by HIWU prior to commencing testing under the HISA ADMC Program and HIWU team members will be available at all races to help launch the program as it progresses. effective. There will also be a national support line staffed seven days a week, ensuring information is available during all phases of the test. These HIWU officers will be available to answer questions from field sample collectors, assist the cavalry with questions during testing, and triage requests to other departments as needed. .
“When it comes to testing processes, integrity starts with sample collection and we are confident that (sample collection staff) and other industry participants across the country will appreciate it,” said Mittelstadt. welcomes the improvements made by standardized processes and paperless records.”
For more information on specific types of testing, interested individuals can find testing-specific resources at hiwu.org.
This press release has been edited by BloodHorse Staff for content and style.
