Horse drugs, track safety would be regulated in KY lawmaker’s bill OK’d by U.S. House
A new regulatory authority would set up nationwide standards for drug use and track safety in Thoroughbred racing, under legislation that passed the U.S. House of Representatives Tuesday.
The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Rep. Andy Barr, R-Lexington, and Rep. Paul Tonko, D-NY, received unanimous approval.
Mirror legislation has been introduced in the Senate and is sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, along with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif.; Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-NY, and Sen. Martha McSally, D-Ariz.
Under the legislation, the independent, non-governmental Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority would be tasked with developing rules for track safety, standards for the use of medications and an accreditation system for laboratories to test drug samples.
Regulation of the horseracing industry has been debated for years, and this legislation represents a bipartisan effort that has received support from several players in the industry, including the Jockey Club, Churchill Downs, Keeneland and the Water Hay Oats Alliance. Animal rights groups, including the Humane Society of the United States and Animal Wellness Action, have also applauded the measure.
“I appreciate the willingness of all constituencies within the industry to compromise and to forge a consensus product,” Barr said in a speech on the House floor. “This was not easy, but it was necessary to get us to this day, this historic day, for this great American sport.”
He said the act approved Tuesday “will ensure the safety of our equine athletes and increase the popularity, public confidence, and international competitiveness of the sport.”
“Today’s vote was another important step toward protecting our beloved sport for the horses, jockeys, trainers, breeders, and fans,” McConnell said in the news release.
When the compromise legislation was announced late last month, Bill Lear, a trustee on the Keeneland Association Board, said the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority would consist of two committees, one focused on track safety and another focused on anti-doping.
He said most of the people who would serve on the board would be from outside the racing industry, and those from within the industry would have no current involvement in racing.
“Therefore no conflicts, nothing to gain or lose by the rules considered and the rules adopted,” Lear said at the time.
A few organizations have expressed concern about the legislation.
The National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, which represents trainers, and the U.S. Trotting Association have both said they oppose the act.
This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 6:58 PM.
