With the launch of the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety (HISA) Agency’s Anti-Doping and Drug Control (ADMC) Program on March 27, it is increasingly important for all participants To participate in the race is to understand how the Program works. The following are HISA’s answers to five frequently asked questions about the ADMC Program.
How will the new HISA ADMC program impact the lives and work of riders?
The ADMC program is designed to create centralized audit and results management processes and effectively and consistently apply uniform penalties for violations across the country. Its rules will create consistency across jurisdictions, consistency in how labs test substances and trial practices quickly and efficiently.
According to HIWU, all sample collection personnel will receive direct training in HIWU’s unified chain of custody process and digital data collection technology. The HIWU app that sample collectors will use will greatly reduce the paperwork required previously associated with the testing process and allow riders to receive electronic receipts for their horse samples .
For the first time, laboratories across the country will test the same substances to the same extent. ADMC rules establish separate categories for Prohibited Substances that are allowed outside of race day and other specific time periods (i.e. Controlled Drugs) and substances that should never be used. on horseback (i.e. Prohibited Substance). This system is intended to appropriately punish users of Prohibited Substances, and to be reasonable and proportionate for violations of Controlled Drugs.
In addition to in-competition testing at the tracks, HIWU will introduce a strategic out-of-competition testing program that will incorporate data analysis and intelligence in the selection of Covered Horses. The responsible persons (i.e. trainers) of the Insured Horse selected for out-of-competition testing will have the option of inspecting their horse wherever it is currently located or at another designated location. by mutual agreement as long as the Covered Horse is available for testing within six (6) hours of notice.
To support its Investigative Unit, which will work to identify the bad guys through intelligence gathering from industry participants and data analysis, HIWU will launch reporting platforms. anonymous feeling to allow individuals to anonymously submit concerns about suspected violations of the ADMC Program.
Who is in charge of HIWU, the organization tasked with implementing the ADMC Program?
The Equestrian Integrity & Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established by the International Drug Free Sports Foundation (DFSI) to be the independent enforcer of HISA’s ADMC Program. HIWU is independent, but regularly communicates with HISA about the implementation of the ADMC Program. The HISA ADMC rules were eventually reviewed and approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
HIWU is led by CEO Ben Mosier, who has overseen anti-doping programs for the NBA, PGA Tour, MLB Minor League Program, and NASCAR.
HIWU CEO, Kate Mittelstadt, previously served as director of the Anti-Doping Program for IRONMAN and has held multiple roles with the World Anti-Doping Agency and the National Association of Anti-Doping Organizations. Mittelstadt was also one of the first employees hired by the US Anti-Doping Agency.
HIWU General Counsel, Michelle Pujals, has been a member of the NBA’s legal department for over 20 years, where her duties include outcome management and investigations related to the various drug programs of the NBA. NBA and allegations of misconduct by players and staff. Prior to joining HIWU, she was the owner and principal of Tautemo Consulting, LLC, a sports and legal consulting firm.
HIWU Chief Scientific Officer, Dr. Mary Scollay, most recently executive director and chief executive officer of the Racing Drug & Experimental Association, she previously worked for over 30 years as a veterinarian He ran the race, including 11 years as the Kentucky Horse Racing Team as the Commission’s equine medical director.
How does ADMC’s adjudication process work and what happens if someone is charged with a violation?
Violations in the ADMC Program are classified as an Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV), Method and Prohibited Substance-related Violation, or a Controlled Drug Rule Violation (CMRV), which involves Method and Controlled Drugs. There will be harsher penalties associated with ADRV.
ADRV cases will be heard by an Arbitration Body run by JAMS, a world-renowned provider of arbitration and mediation, with a panel of retired lawyers and judges who have experience in the field of anti-doping and adjudication in sports, selection and designation. Before selecting individuals to adjudicate cases, JAMS will ensure that there is no conflict of interest between potential adjudicators and the Insured Person(s) involved.
CMRV cases will be heard by those appointed to the Internal Adjudication Panel (IAP), a group of 15-20 members selected by HISA and HIWU based on their previous equine management experience . The IAP team consists of state administrators who are only allowed to hear cases not originating in the state in which they are working and others with horse management experience. IAP members will be appointed to adjudicate specific CMRV cases on a rotating basis following a conflict of interest examination.
All members of both the Arbitral Body and the IAP are required to undergo initial training and continuing education in ADMC regulations to be eligible to hear and decide cases.
When charged with ADRV, Insured Persons and Horses will normally be subject to Temporary Suspension, during which time they will not be eligible to train or race until the matter is resolved and the penalties involved. has been complied with. Insured Persons subject to Temporary Suspension are not permitted to participate in any Insured Horse related activity at a race track or public training facility. However, they may request a timely Interim Hearing to defend the lifting of the Temporary Suspension.
For most alleged CMRVs, a Temporary Suspension will not be issued unless the Controlled Drug was used during the Non-Eligible period identified on the Prohibited List.
In both ADRV and CMRV cases, the Insured Persons are entitled to the opportunity to provide written submissions and present evidence on their behalf to the appointed adjudicator(s).
HIWU is required to publicly disclose the resolution of an ADMC Program case within 20 days of (1) the final determination, (2) the resolution between HIWU and the Insured Person, or (3 ) the withdrawal of charges by HIWU. Final decisions of the Arbitration Body and the IAP may be appealed to a Federal Administrative Law Judge.
ADMC infractions arising from a Post-Race Model or occurring during Race Time will automatically result in disqualification of the race day result. For ADRV, any other results obtained by an Insured Horse from the date ADRV first occurred will also be disqualified.
If a horse is disqualified due to ADRV or CMRV, all wallets and other prizes will be forfeited and redistributed accordingly. Where possible, wallets for Insured Horses in connection with the alleged breach will be withheld until resolution is reached.
While purses will be affected due to ADMC violation and disqualification, the bet payout announced after the race is officially declared on race day is the final payout, regardless of all fields. subsequently disqualified.
How are HISA and HIWU preparing for the sport to implement the rules?
So far, HIWU staff have visited all the tracks that will take place on March 27 and met with local test barn staff, veterinarians, managers, and other staff to observe current operations, assess test barn facilities, and help prepare on-site personnel for implementation of the ADMC Program. HIWU will visit each racetrack before the next race start date after March 27 and host in-person training events for test barn staff before conducting collection at each location. Over the past few months, the HIWU team has also met face-to-face and online with industry stakeholder groups to discuss the ADMC Program and answer questions.
HIWU plans to visit multiple routes ahead of the scheduled rollout date of March 27 to talk to stakeholders and encourage industry organizations interested in holding information sessions. , where members can talk to the HIWU team to email [email protected] to request an online or in-person meeting. Visits and outreach will also continue after the rollout.
The HIWU website also provides educational materials on the Prohibited List, Detection Time and Screening Limits, test types, results management, etc. Additional educational materials will continue to be available. publish and share widely with the industry.
How will ADMC rules improve racing and help the sport grow?
The ADMC program is central to HISA’s mission to ensure race integrity for the benefit of participants, fans and bettors. The HISA rules are designed to improve the safety and welfare of horses and restore public confidence in the sport.
Bettors will be able to trust that the product on the track is fair and cheaters are not welcome in the Purebred race. All indications are that consistent, national enforcement of ADMC rules will eventually lead to broader public interest, including younger audiences, and increased betting.
Crucially, in addition to making the sport safer and fairer, the ADMC Program will also make the job of many riders easier as patchy interstate rules are introduced. replaced by a unified, streamlined anti-doping management system.
This press release has not been edited by BloodHorse. If you have any questions, please contact the organization that produced the release.
