After much buildup and speculation, the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority began enforcing its first set of guidelines earlier this month.
On this week's episode of The Friday Show, bloodstock editor Joe Nevills and editor-in-chief Natalie Voss speak with HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus about the first days of HISA enforcement. The first round of HISA guidelines primarily concern registration of covered persons and horses, as well as various racetrack safety measures.
Lazarus discusses what went well over the first week, what items could be improved upon after being applied in a live setting, and she answers questions from Paulick Report readers.
Lazarus was named CEO of HISA in February. She established and leads the Equestrian Practice at Morgan Sports Law, where she provides counsel on health and safety issues and rule compliance in addition to representing athletes, owners and trainers in disputes before national and international governing bodies.
Her previous experience includes time with Fédération Equestre Internationale, the international governing body for equestrian sports, and the National Football League.
The Breeders' Cup, one of Thoroughbred racing's most prestigious international events, launches the first episode of a monthly digital series, Breeders' Cup Challenge Rundown with Rosie, highlighting the best races from around the world that are part of the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In.
The first episode is available now on the Breeders' Cup Facebook and YouTube pages, and World Horse Racing's social platforms.
The new series, produced and promoted by World Horse Racing (WHR), will run from July through November, with a final episode produced at Keeneland Race Course previewing the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships, Nov. 4 and 5. New episodes will be released at the beginning of each month.
Host Rosie Tapner will introduce the top performances from prior Challenge Series races, as well as identify unique storylines based around the Thoroughbred athletes and their connections. The show will take place in various locations, connecting that particular episode and key international contenders that are being aimed at the 2022 Breeders' Cup World Championships.
“We are delighted to partner with World Horse Racing to bring international racing fans a lot closer to the Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, and tell the fascinating stories of the people behind these great horses as they are being prepared for this year's World Championships,” said Justin McDonald, Breeders' Cup Chief Marketing Officer. “Among our highest priorities each year is to expand the global reach of the Breeders' Cup, and we look forward to doing that with this new series.”
“World Horse Racing is delighted to be teaming up with Breeders' Cup to create, produce, publish and distribute this new series and amplify the World Championships,” said Geoffrey Riddle, Editorial and Brand Director of World Horse Racing. “With 82 races in 11 countries, the Challenge Series has something for everybody around the world, and Rosie Tapner is an exciting new talent who will resonate worldwide. Our organization was set up in 2018 to grow a global audience, and this show promises to bring the best of horse racing to new frontiers in the lead-up to Keeneland in November.”
The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series, now in its 15th year, will be hosted at many of the world's premier racetracks in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, France, Ireland, Japan, Peru, South Africa, and the United States. While the show will have a strong international focus, it will also highlight the domestic Challenge Series races. Last year, 40 Breeders' Cup Challenge winners competed in the World Championships at Del Mar, including five Championship race winners: Knicks Go, $6 million Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1); Yibir (GB), $4 million Longines Breeders' Cup Turf (G1); Ce Ce, $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1); Echo Zulu, $2 million NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) and Corniche, $2 million TVG Breeders' Cup Juvenile presented by Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (G1).
The Welfare and Safety of the Racehorse Summit, established in 2006 out of concern over the industry's response to Barbaro's severe injury in the previous year's Preakness, was held for the 10th time on June 22.
It has become an important gathering for those in the scientific, research and veterinary communities working to make racing as safe as possible, and for laypeople – stakeholders and the general public – to learn about the many advancements that have been made or are in progress to help in the area of injury prevention.
Annise Montplaisir, equine education coordinator for the Kentucky Equine Education Project Foundation, emceed the Summit and she joins Ray Paulick and news editor Chelsea Hackbarth – who covered it for Paulick Report – to share some of the key takeaways. Of great interest to both Montplaisir and Hackbarth were positive emission tomography (PET) scans of racehorse fetlocks that can help trainers manage their horses' schedules and the “wearable technology” research that's been done at New York Racing Association tracks. Data from the wearable microchips can show movement abnormalities that can detect potential problems in a horse.
Montplaisir, co-founder of Amplify Horse Racing, also explains her goals for that organization, which is designed to help newcomers learn more about the industry and potential careers in racing.
Watch this week's episode of the Friday Show below:
It's been a busy week for DeShawn Parker, who recorded his 6,000th career win on June 21 at Horseshoe Indianapolis aboard a colt named For Mama. He dedicated the victory to his late father, highly respected Ohio racing official Daryl Parker, who died in 2021.
On Saturday, Parker will be at JACK Thistledown near Cleveland to ride a few races but, more importantly, accept the Pete Pedersen Award from the Racing Officials Accreditation Program on behalf of his father.
Parker, who became only the 21st jockey in North American racing history and sixth active rider to hit the 6,000-win milestone, joins Ray Paulick and news editor Chelsea Hackbarth in this week's Friday Show. Parker recalls his childhood, much of which was spent at Thistledown in the shadow of his father, who taught him to always be humble, a trait that has followed the rider throughout his career. He also talks about remaining goals, challenges and superstitions, and a second career for when he hangs up his tack.
Watch this week's episode of The Friday Show below:
