HISA was created to implement, for the first time, a national, uniform set of integrity and safety rules that are applied consistently to every Thoroughbred racing participant and racetrack facility.
The rules and regulations drafted by HISA’s Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committees are designed to enhance the safety and wellbeing of both horse and rider while ensuring the integrity of the sport for the benefit of the industry, fans and bettors. A safer, fairer sport will also be a more popular sport for generations to come.
Congress passed a bill authorizing the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (“Authority”) as a private self-regulatory organization. The Authority must develop rules related to horseracing, including anti-doping, medication control and racetrack safety.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is given broad oversight over the Authority. The FTC, after providing an opportunity for public comment, must approve or disapprove any rule proposed by HISA. Civil sanctions imposed by the Authority for violations of its rules or standards may be appealed to the Commission for review by an Administrative Law Judge and by the Commission.
The Authority must also submit guidance it develops to the Commission. In addition, certain practices involving drugs are made unfair or deceptive practices under Section 5(a) of the FTC Act.
Mackenzie Kirker-Head
Communications Manager
Mackenzie Kirker-Head joined HISA in August 2023 as Communication and Design Manager and is based in our Lexington office. Mackenzie facilitates daily communication efforts for HISA, with the goals of informing various stakeholders about new regulations, enhancing transparency in HISA’s operations and providing a valuable resource for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of HISA and its mission.
Prior to joining HISA, Kirker-Head worked for three years in the marketing department of the fractional-ownership platform MyRacehorse. Before that, she worked as a Project Manager at the Thoroughbred Idea Foundation, a role she began after graduating from the prestigious Godolphin Flying Start program. During the Godolphin Flying Start program, she lived and worked in Australia, England, Ireland, the United States and the United Arab Emirates. Her first full-time position out of college was working under the leadership of B. Wayne Hughes and Ned Toffey at Spendthrift Farm.
Hailing from Massachusetts, Kirker-Head graduated from Tufts University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. During college, Kirker-Head interned with the New York Racing Association in the Communications Department.
Brandon Badgett
Director of Strategy at Jahnel Group
Brandon Badgett is the Director of Strategy at Jahnel Group, a custom software development firm based in upstate New York. He is also the co-founder of Rumii, a company focused on creating accessories for nurses. His passion for horseracing runs deep, shaped by his upbringing in the barns alongside his father, Billy Badgett, and stepfather, Mark Hennig, both respected horse trainers. Brandon is deeply committed to ensuring the sport thrives with the highest standards of safety and integrity, driven by his personal experiences and a profound sense of responsibility for its future.
Sam Reinhardt
Assistant General Counsel
Sam Reinhardt serves as Assistant General Counsel at HISA, where he provides legal counsel on a wide range of matters and supports day-to-day operations. He joined HISA in March 2023 and is based out of the Lexington office.
Prior to joining HISA, Reinhardt was a member at Kentucky-based law firm Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC. There, he maintained a general litigation practice, working on a variety of state and federal litigation matters, including a number of equine-related cases.
A native Kentuckian, Reinhardt holds two degrees from the University of Kentucky: a Bachelor of Business Administration from the Gatton College of Business and Economics, graduating magna cum laude, and a Juris Doctorate from the College of Law, graduating “Order of the Coif” and magna cum laude.
Alexa Ravit
Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) Director of Communications & Outreach
Alexa Ravit has been the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit’s (HIWU) director of communications & outreach since September 2022. This follows five years as communications coordinator for The Jockey Club.
Ravit oversees communications with the Thoroughbred industry via press releases and media relations, social media, distribution of educational resources, etc. to ensure that all stakeholders are kept informed as to HIWU’s role and activities as the independent enforcement agency of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program.
As part of her role at The Jockey Club (TJC), Ravit provided communications-related support to various industry initiatives and events funded or sponsored by TJC, including those in the areas of equine safety, welfare, and integrity. Ravit has also spent time with the New York Racing Association, Rillito Park, Claiborne Farm, and Godolphin.
Ravit graduated from Cornell University with a Bachelor of Science degree in animal science and received a Master of Science degree from the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program.
Waqas Ahmed
Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC)
Waqas Ahmed is Deputy Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission (KHRC). He transitioned into the horse racing sector after earning an MBA from the University of Kentucky. His journey at the KHRC from Operations Analyst to Director of Pari-Mutuel Wagering and Compliance enabled him to lead operational and technological improvements across Kentucky racetracks and wagering services before taking on his current role.
Keith Asmussen
Graded stake-winning jockey who competes in the Midwestern racing circuit
Keith Asmussen is a graded stake-winning jockey competing in the Midwestern racing circuit. He is the eldest son of Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen and a graduate of the University of Texas at Austin.
Joe Bianca
Ownership advisor for West Point Thoroughbreds
Joe Bianca is an ownership advisor for West Point Thoroughbreds and co-hosts the Rail Talk podcast with Jon Green of DJ Stables. Before joining West Point, Bianca spent seven years as a writer, editor, and podcast host at Thoroughbred Daily News.
Marc Broady
Executive Director of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority
Marc Broady is the Executive Director of the Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority. An attorney born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland, he previously served as Policy Advisor and Senior Counsel to the late Congressman Elijah Cummings and his Oversight and Government Reform Committee.
Eric DeCoster
Assistant Racing Secretary at Prairie Meadows and a Racing Official at Oaklawn Park
Eric DeCoster is the Assistant Racing Secretary at Prairie Meadows and a Racing Official at Oaklawn Park. A December 2023 graduate of the University of Arizona’s Race Track Industry Program, he has spent time in multiple sectors of the Thoroughbred racing industry, having interned with the New York Racing Association, Inc., Wanamaker’s, and Handal Racing.
Devon Dougherty
Assistant trainer for Christophe Clement
Devon Dougherty is an assistant trainer for Christophe Clement. Raised in Philadelphia, she began her career at Parx Racing. Dougherty completed the Godolphin Flying Start Program before joining Clement’s team.
Tatiana Fraguela, DVM
Racetrack veterinarian based at Churchill Downs and Oaklawn Park
Dr. Tatiana Fraguela is a racetrack veterinarian based at Churchill Downs and Oaklawn Park. She previously interned at Rood & Riddle Equine Hospital in Saratoga after graduating from veterinary school.
Tyler Gaffalione
Jockey
Tyler Gaffalione is a jockey hailing from Florida who has won almost 2,300 races. Named the Eclipse Award winner for Outstanding Apprentice in 2015, he has more than 100 graded stakes wins, including the Kentucky Oaks, Preakness Stakes, and two Breeders’ Cup races.
Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr.
Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association at Parx Racetrack.
Jeffrey A. Matty, Jr. is the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association at Parx Racetrack. A native of Bensalem, Pennsylvania, he is also a Thoroughbred owner of a Mid-Atlantic-based racing stable.
Katie Miranda
Co-owner of HorseOlogy and owner of the White Lilac 2-year-old consignment in Ocala, Florida.
Katie Miranda is the co-owner of HorseOlogy and owner of the White Lilac 2-year-old consignment in Ocala, Florida. With an M.S. in Animal Science, she has a diverse equine background, including time spent as a trainer, exercise rider, and veterinary technician.
Tyler Peeples
Lifelong Thoroughbred racing enthusiast who previously worked for D. Wayne Lukas and Steve Asmussen Racing Stables
Tyler Peeples is a lifelong Thoroughbred racing enthusiast who previously worked for D. Wayne Lukas and Steve Asmussen Racing Stables. He stays active in the sport as a handicapper and through ownership partnerships. Peeples currently works as a Sales Executive for Aetna, a CVS Health Company.
Courtney Reid
Senior Director of Racing and Industry Relations for Breeders’ Cup Limited
Courtney Reid is the Senior Director of Racing and Industry Relations for Breeders’ Cup Limited. Based in California, her journey to Breeders’ Cup Limited in 2019 was shaped by invaluable experiences at the National Steeplechase Association, the New York Racing Association, and the Virginia Racing Commission. Courtney is dedicated to upholding integrity, safety, and innovation within the sport of horse racing.
Lindsay Schultz
Trainer based at Oaklawn Park, Keeneland, and Monmouth Park.
Lindsay Schultz is a trainer based at Oaklawn Park, Keeneland, and Monmouth Park. A graduate of the University of Louisville and Godolphin Flying Start, she worked for Tom Proctor and Shug McGaughey before launching her training career.
Brianne Sharp
Marketing and Research Coordinator for Godolphin
Brianne Sharp is the Marketing and Research Coordinator for Godolphin, a role she has served for the past 12 years. Originally from Arkansas, she is a graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start Program and Kentucky Equine Management Internship. Sharp is a member of the board of directors for Horse Country, Inc.
Nick Tammaro
Track announcer and handicapper at Sam Houston Race Park, a morning line oddsmaker, and has been a racing analyst for TwinSpires, as well as a content creator for In the Money Media.
Nick Tammaro is the track announcer and handicapper at Sam Houston Race Park, a morning line oddsmaker, and has been a racing analyst for TwinSpires, as well as a content creator for In the Money Media. He is an accomplished handicapping contest player who has twice finished in the top 15 of the Breeders’ Cup Betting Challenge. He is a horseplayer, a fan, and an advocate for the sport.
Najja Thompson
Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc
Najja Thompson is the Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. Thompson also serves as President of the Turf Publicists of America and is on the board of directors of NYRA, New York’s Backstretch Employee Service Team, The New York Racetrack Chaplaincy, and the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce.
1. What is HISA?
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 comprises two programs: the Racetrack Safety Program, which took effect July 1, 2022, and the Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program, which took effect May 22, 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, expands jockey safety measures and resources, regulates riding crop use, and implements a void claim rule, among other important measures.
The ADMC Program establishes a centralized testing and results management process and applies uniform penalties for integrity violations efficiently and consistently across the United States. These rules and enforcement mechanisms are administered by a new independent agency, the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), established by Drug Free Sport International (DFSI). HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the new system, accredits laboratories, investigates potential integrity violations and prosecutes rule breaches.
2. Who is in charge of HISA?
HISA is led by CEO Lisa Lazarus and governed by a nine-member Board of Directors which consists of five individuals from outside the equine industry (independent directors), and four individuals selected to represent various equine constituencies (industry directors). The Board is chaired by Charles Scheeler.
HISA’s programs are led by committees of experts in their fields from inside and outside of the Thoroughbred racing industry; the ADMC Standing Committee is chaired by Charles Scheeler, and the Racetrack Safety Standing Committee is chaired by Dr. Susan Stover, DVM, Ph.D.
3. When did HISA begin governing the racing industry?
HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program took effect July 1, 2022. Its ADMC Program took effect May 22, 2023.
4. What changes can racing fans see as a result of HISA’s oversight?
The Racetrack Safety Program includes safety rules along with operational standards for racetrack accreditation. For example, under HISA’s surface maintenance and measurement standards, tracks are required to execute pre-meet inspections, monitor and test racing surface conditions on a daily basis, and make condition reports and test results available to horsemen and HISA.
Under the ADMC Program, fans see centralized testing and results management processes, shorter turnaround times for investigations/adjudication and uniform penalties that are applied consistently across the country.
5. Why is the Racetrack Safety Program important?
The importance of the Racetrack Safety Program to HISA’s mission to protect the wellbeing of equine and human athletes cannot be overstated. The Racetrack Safety Program’s national accreditation standards and safety regulations require:
- Expanded veterinary oversight
- Surface maintenance and measurement standards
- Enhanced reporting requirements
- Collection and analysis of medication, treatment, injury and fatality data
- A void claim rule
- A uniform riding crop rule
- The transfer of claimed horses’ medical information
- Jockey concussion and medical care reporting
This 360-degree approach will help vets, horsemen and all racing participants determine every horse is fit to race before setting foot on the track while also increasing understanding of the conditions that contribute to both equine and human injuries and fatalities.
6. Why was Drug Free Sport International (DFSI) chosen to administer and enforce HISA’s ADMC Program?
HISA chose DFSI as its partner to establish and implement the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program because of its exemplary record of success in its drug testing and enforcement partnerships with leading sports organizations, including the NFL, NCAA, NBA, LPGA, PGA Tour, NASCAR and MLB. DFSI is an established leader as demonstrated by its success and ongoing engagement with U.S. and international sports organizations and leagues.
7. What is the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) and how does it work?
HIWU, established as a division of Drug Free Sport International in 2022, administers the rules and enforcement mechanisms of HISA’s ADMC Program. HIWU oversees testing, educates stakeholders on the new system, accredits laboratories, investigates potential integrity violations and prosecutes rule breaches.
HIWU is led by Executive Director Ben Mosier, who has more than a decade of experience working for DFSI and has overseen anti-doping programs for the NBA, PGA Tour, MLB and NASCAR. A full list of HIWU staff and members of HIWU’s Advisory Council is available on the HIWU website.
8. Are members of the horseracing industry able to provide input to HISA?
HISA and its Standing Committees continue to seek input from a wide range of industry stakeholders, including state racing commissions, racetracks, owners, trainers, breeders, jockeys, equine veterinary groups, horsemen’s groups and others. HISA seeks feedback on its rules both formally and informally, including via the HISA Horsemen’s Advisory Group, which is made up of horseracing industry veterans from across the country who represent a broad range of views and experiences. Included among them are trainers, owners and veterinarians, as well as representatives of racing offices, backstretch employees, farriers and aftercare initiatives.
HISA greatly values input from across the racing as part of its efforts to continue to improve HISA’s programs. Comments and suggestions can be sent to feedback@hisaus.org at any time.
9. How are HISA’s Board and standing committees structured?
HISA’s Board of Directors consists of nine individuals, five of whom were selected from outside of the equine industry (independent directors), while the other four were selected to represent various equine constituencies (industry directors). The Board is chaired by Charles Scheeler.
The ADMC Standing Committee is chaired by Charles Scheeler, an independent director of the Board, and comprises four independent members and three industry members.
The Racetrack Safety Standing Committee is chaired by Dr. Susan Stover, DVM, Ph.D, an industry director of the Board, and comprises four independent members and three industry members.
In order to conduct their work in an ethical and independent manner, directors and members are subject to strict conflict of interest restrictions in order to serve in their specific roles.
10. How do I serve on HISA’s Board or standing committees?
Complete and submit the Nominee Screening Questionnaire, along with a statement of interest and resume to Anjali Salooja at anjali.salooja@hisaus.org.
11. Is HISA funded by the federal government?
No. HISA is funded by racetracks, horsemen’s groups and other racing participants.
