The Equestrian Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), the independent enforcement agency of the Equestrian Safety and Integrity Administration’s (ADMC) Drug and Anti-Doping Control Program (ADMC) (HISA), has reached an agreement with all state boards and/or racetracks to go live racing on or shortly after the launch of the ADMC Program, scheduled for March 27. 2023. Laboratories that will conduct testing under the Program have also been confirmed.
“HIWU appreciates the opportunity to engage with the state’s racing commissions, racetracks and labs in rolling out a nationally consistent ADMC program,” said Ben Mosier, executive director of HIWU. . “We are confident that all of our agreements will facilitate consistent compliance with the ADMC Program to ensure its consistency and effectiveness.”
After the ADMC Program goes into effect, the following states and/or racecourses will continue to provide sampling personnel services using their current staff who will be trained by HIWU and certification. Voluntary agreements have been signed or will be signed prior to the first race day under the new ADMC Rules with the following entities:
Arkansas Racing Commission
California Equestrian Council
Florida Gambling Control Commission, in partnership with Gulf Park and Tampa Bay Downs
Kentucky Horse Racing Commission
Maryland Racing Commission
New York Racing Association (except for post-race testing)
Pennsylvania Equestrian Commission
Will Rogers Downs
For the following states and/or tracks, HIWU has contracted existing staff directly or has hired its own sampler to implement the ADMC Program. Therefore, no voluntary agreements are entered into with the following entities:
Arizona Gambling Department (Racing Division)
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Illinois Racing Council
New York Game Commission (Post-race testing only)
Ohio State Racing Commission
HIWU is also engaging with state racing commissions and racetracks running after mid-April and will announce those relationships before that time.
Laboratories must be accredited by the Racing Drug & Testing Association to be eligible to conduct testing as part of the HISA ADMC Program and must meet additional criteria as determined by HIWU. HIWU has contracted with the following laboratories to analyze samples collected under the ADMC Program:
Analytical Toxicology Laboratory (Ohio Department of Agriculture)
Animal Forensic Toxicology Laboratory (University of Illinois-Chicago)
Industrial Laboratory
Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Kenneth L. Maddy Equine (University of California, Davis)
Pennsylvania Horse Toxicology and Research Laboratory
University of Kentucky Equine Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
“For the first time, racing laboratories will be unified and follow the same operating standards across the country,” said Mosier. “The thoroughbred racehorses will be tested for the same substances at the same level, no matter where they are or compete.”
Laboratory accreditation will eventually move to the HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory standards, which will not come into effect before 2024.
The Equestrian Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) was established in 2022 by Drug Free Sport International to administer the rules and enforcement mechanisms of the Drugs and Anti-Doping Control Program (ADMC) of the country. Equestrian Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). The ADMC program will create a centralized inspection and results management process, and effectively and consistently apply uniform penalties for violations across all racing jurisdictions. American Thoroughbred vehicles managed by HISA. HIWU will oversee testing, educate stakeholders about the new program, accredit laboratories, investigate potential violations, and prosecute any such violations. For more information, please visit hiwu.org.
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