Horse racing-Implementation of anti-doping program for racehorses in U.S. delayed

(Reuters) – The implementation of the first-ever anti-doping program for racehorses in the US has been postponed by at least a month due to awaiting approval from the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), which oversees it.

The new regulations, intended to replace a patchwork of state-by-state rules, were scheduled to take effect at the end of last month since high-profile drug scandals and horse deaths had prompted government intervention.

“We are disappointed by today’s procedural ruling related to the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) approval processes,” HISA said in a statement on Friday.

“This ruling institutes a 30-day waiting period prior to the implementation of HISAs Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program and solely addresses a procedural concern with the FTC’s approval order.

“It does not address the substance of the ADMC rules or the constitutionality of the ADMC Program or HISA more broadly.”

HISA officials claim that the electronic tracking system for horses would reduce fatalities while identifying and penalizing bad actors, two critical moves for a sport attempting to rebuild public trust.

HISA’s racetrack safety program, which began in July 2022, remains in effect.

(Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Toby Davis)