On May 22, 2023, Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) assumed jurisdiction over thoroughbred anti-doping and medication control pursuant to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, 15 U.S.C. §§3051 et seq. (Act). Pursuant to the authority granted to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) by the Act, HISA selected HIWU to conduct thoroughbred drug testing on its behalf. After the conclusion of legal challenges filed in several other states, HIWU commenced collecting and testing thoroughbred blood and urine samples on May 22, 2023.
On May 18, 2023, NJRC entered into a limited services agreement with HIWU and HISA in connection with thoroughbred drug testing. HIWU and HISA agreed that HISA will pay NJRC the actual costs of the services performed by NJRC’s employees.
In 2023, NJRC acted on initial decisions issued by the Office of Administrative Law (OAL) or reached settlements in pending OAL cases. NJRC saw to conclusion seven appealed enforcement actions that imposed penalties for drug positives, three for whipping violations, three involving interference or driving infractions, one for a trainer’s failure to guard a horse from the administration of drugs that caused its death, one for misconduct in connection with a timed workout, and one for failure to cooperate during a barn search. In addition, NJRC also took direct action in imposing substantial penalties in another case for conduct detrimental to the sport which involved intentional abuse of a horse.
