HISA adjusts regulations on intra-articular injections, provides guidance

Posted: July 15, 2023

The Anti-Doping and Medication Control Standing Committee of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority has re-considered the intra-articular injection rule and has issued new guidance regarding its enforcement. The announcement was made July 14.

HISA ADMC Rule 4222 prohibits intra-articular injections on race day within 14 days prior to post time. It also prohibits IA injections within 7 days prior to any timed and reported workout. Effective July 16, the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit will sanction the responsible person of any covered horse that violates the prohibition on IA injections within 7 days prior to a timed and reported workout as follows (within a 365-day period):

• 1st violation: $3,000 fine
• 2nd violation: $6,000 fine and a 10-day suspension
• 3rd violation: $10,000 fine and a 30-day suspension
• 4th violation: $20,000 fine and a 60-day suspension
• 5th violation: $25,000 fine and a 120-day suspension

Beginning July 16, covered horses will not be subject to a period of ineligibility for violations of the IA injections workout rule or race-day rule unless multiple violations involving the same horse are incurred within the 365-day period.

Until this new guidance, and in accordance with guidance previously announced on June 26, the prohibition on IA injections within 7 days prior to any timed and reported workout will continue to be enforced only against the covered horse through the imposition of a period of ineligibility of 30 days. The sanctions associated with the prohibition on IA injections within 14-days prior to post time have not been modified, other than the fact that the covered horse may not be suspended.

The full language of the guidance, which was approved by the HISA ADMC Standing Committee and the HISA Board of Directors, can be found here.

Under Rule 4222, the day of administration is considered day 1. A horse may breeze on day 8 following administration and may enter to race at any time, provided the race is on day 15 or later.