Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association
Posted: Dec. 22, 2020
The following statement is from Alan Foreman, Chief Executive Officer of the Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association:
The passage of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act is the culmination of a collective effort of liked-minded industry organizations who fostered compromises in an effort to achieve uniform and necessary mandated medication, testing and safety standards to protect the health, safety and welfare of our horses and maintain the integrity of our sport above reproach.
We have quietly, but forcefully, participated in this effort, and appreciate that we had the ability to participate at the Congressional level through Senate Majority Leader McConnell and Congressmen Barr, Tonko and Pallone. Although the bill is not perfect and has caused some concerns that we understand, it is clear that this new paradigm for the industry is necessary if we are serious about the future of our sport.
We are particularly pleased that the original bill was expanded to mandate safety and welfare standards for our horses as we have been doing in the Mid-Atlantic region, and a better-defined role for USADA that speaks to their strengths and our needs.
As we’ve said previously, we intend to roll up our sleeves and collaborate with our industry partners and the new authority to achieve a seamless transition. While change is never easy and valid concerns must be addressed and resolved, we are at a critical time for our industry. The enactment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act provides us with a unique opportunity to change the image of our sport and engender confidence in the future.