Month: March 2023

More than 70,000 Thoroughbred racing participants and administrators across the country have now registered with the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), in compliance with HISA's Registration Rule which went into effect on July 1, 2022. To date, 30,061 covered persons and 41,953 covered horses have been registered.

As previously announced, HISA will require compliance with its Registration Rule in order to race beginning March 27. Covered Persons and Horses who are not in compliance with the rule will be unable to race until they register in the HISA Portal.

“Reaching 70,000 registered participants is a significant milestone,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “We are grateful for the cooperation of the vast majority of racing participants under HISA's jurisdiction who have now registered, and we strongly urge any who have not yet registered to do so by March 27 to remain able to race. With support from the racing community, we're continuing to strengthen the safety and integrity of our great sport.”

Racing participants who have not yet registered themselves or their horses with HISA can do so at hisaus.org/registration.

About the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority

Established when the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act was signed into federal law in 2020, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is responsible for drafting and enforcing uniform safety and integrity rules in Thoroughbred racing in the U.S. Overseen by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), HISA was created to implement, 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 July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which is anticipated to go into effect on March 27, 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 will create a centralized testing and results management process and apply uniform penalties for violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms will be administered by a new independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFS). HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders on the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential ADMC violations and prosecute any such violations.

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Woodbine Entertainment and the Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association of Ontario (HBPA) jointly announced Friday that they have reached an agreement for a new two-year deal that commits to $62M in purses for the 2023 and 2024 Thoroughbred racing meets.

The deal also includes a 133-race day meet in 2023, and 129 race dates in 2024. Despite the fewer race days in 2024, Woodbine expects the number of races offered to be substantially the same as 2023 through more optimized race scheduling during the meet.

The upcoming 2023 season will kick off on Saturday, April 22. The 2024 season will open on Saturday, April 20.

“We are pleased to reach this new agreement with the HBPA so we can now collectively focus our energy on the incredible season of thoroughbred racing that lies ahead,” said Jim Lawson. “Over the last few years, our industry came together through difficult times and put forward a world-class racing product that continues to grow globally. Now, with a new agreement with the HBPA, and the exciting and transformative initiatives happening around the track, we are poised for one of the most exciting racing seasons in our storied history and can't wait to get started.

“On behalf of Woodbine and our Board, I would like to thank the HBPA for working diligently towards a result that is positive for all industry stakeholders.”

As part of the agreement, Woodbine Entertainment is also pleased to continue a contribution of $300,000 to the HBPA in each year of the deal for improving working benefits and conditions for those working on the Woodbine backstretch.

“We are also pleased to come to an agreement with Woodbine Entertainment so we can work together and in partnership for the betterment of horse people and the industry,” said Sue Leslie, President of the HBPA. “There is a tremendous amount of opportunity to grow our sport in the coming years and that is best achieved by working together, shoulder to shoulder. We believe Woodbine Entertainment is committed to this partnership. We look forward to this renewed partnership and are equally excited to open the starting gates on April 22.”

The 2023 season at Woodbine Racetrack will be highlighted by the first running of The $1 million King's Plate in 70 years, which will take place on Sunday, August 20. Overall, the 2023 stakes schedule includes more than $17 million in purses, 39 graded stakes, and features the $1 million Grade 1 Ricoh Woodbine Mile, the return of the $750,000 Grade 1 Canadian International, the $750,000 E.P. Taylor Stakes, the $500,000 Grade 1 Summer and Natalma Stakes, and the $500,000 Woodbine Oaks presented by Budweiser.

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