HISA seeks public comment on new drug rules * The Racing Biz

HISA seeks public comment on new drug rules

• Press release
• November 18, 2025

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) is seeking public comment on proposed changes to Rule Series 1000, 3000 and 4000 of its Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) programme.

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HISA submitted proposed changes to the ADMC program to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) on November 15, 2023, and supplemented that submission on May 14, 2024. While the proposed changes were under consideration by the FTC, HISA’s ADMC Committee—based on several additional months of ADMC program activities and industry feedback—conducted a comprehensive review of the ADMC program implementation and performance. This research has identified additional opportunities for improvement. In light of these additional changes, HISA has requested that the FTC take action on the November 15, 2023 filing (and subsequent May 14, 2024 supplement) until new proposed amendments are filed, which will supersede and supersede the prior filing(s).

In the proposed updates to Rule Series 1000, 3000 and 4000 of the ADMC program (now available for comment on the HISA website) are changes that could benefit riders:

• Introduction of transfer testing, a new offering that allows a prospective owner or trainer of a covered horse (prior to the legal transfer of the covered horse) to request testing of a sample for a limited number of substances;
• Creating a Class D controlled drug category for certain anti-ulcer drugs, reducing initial penalties from a fine to a reprimand, without disqualification;
• Reduced penalties for controlled medication violations due to vet list samples;
• Ability for insured persons to request DNA testing for samples reported as adverse analytical findings, i.e. positive tests;
• Opportunities for reduced sanctions for the person responsible for adverse analytical findings for a finite list of abused human substances and for Class A and B controlled drug violations;
• Updates to the penalty point system for controlled violations of the medication rules;
• Reclassification of certain prohibited substances; And
• Shorter periods of ineligibility for covered horses involved in certain violations of prohibited substance regulations.

A note is available summarizing the proposed changes here. A full draft of the proposed revisions is also available in PDF redline format here. The red line reflects proposed updates compared to the version currently in effect and approved by the FTC.

HISA invites all interested parties to review the proposed changes and share their feedback. Send your comments to HISA Assistant General Counsel Sam Reinhardt at [email protected] no later than January 5, 2026, with the subject line “ADMC Proposed Changes.” After this deadline, the ADMC Committee, in consultation with the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit, will review and consider all relevant comments before recommending proposed changes to the HISA Board. If approved by the HISA board, the proposed changes would then be submitted to the FTC.

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