HISA November Newsletter: A Look at Breeders’ Cup 2025 & More

From the HISA Media Team / Lisa Lazarus:

As we reflect on another Breeders’ Cup, it’s important to recognize the many people whose tireless work makes these events possible: from grooms to outriders, stewards to veterinarians, it takes a village to deliver a world-class racing event.

The Breeders’ Cup, California Horse Racing Board and Del Mar did an outstanding job of creating an event grounded in safety and integrity. This marked the third year that the Breeders’ Cup operated under HISA’s Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) Program and Racetrack Safety Program; the robust international participation underscored the United States’ growing leadership in equine and jockey welfare. Watching Japan’s Forever Young capture the Breeders’ Cup Classic was thrilling—and felt like a watershed moment for global racing.

The introduction by the Breeders’ Cup Veterinary Team of cardiac screening of all horses participating in the World Championships and undercard races was a major advancement for equine safety. Led by Dr. Will Farmer, the team incorporated auscultations into pre-race evaluations, a new step designed to detect potential cardiac issues before competition and to further the work that HISA has been doing on exercise-associated sudden death (EASD). In the first six months of this year, EASD accounted for roughly 8% of racing fatalities and 18% of training fatalities; with HISA’s EASD Working Group developing evidence-based screening protocols, the U.S. is poised to lead in addressing this international challenge.

As is standard procedure, HISA’s veterinary team worked closely with the Breeders’ Cup to provide comprehensive equine treatment records, enabling their veterinary panel to assess each horse’s fitness to race. The Breeders’ Cup veterinary team also had access to tools like HISA CHECK√—a centralized visualization tool identifying horses at higher risk of poor outcomes—and HISA Horse In-Sight, which provides a comprehensive view of each horse’s medical and performance history.

As part of HISA’s Big Event Protocol, the Racing Surfaces Testing Laboratory conducted extensive surface testing at Del Mar, including measurements of grade, cushion depth, moisture content and shear properties, as well as ground-penetrating radar analysis of the base. These assessments, performed in coordination with Del Mar’s track superintendent, helped ensure a consistent racing surface.

On the jockey welfare side, stewards inspected all riders’ helmets, safety vests and crops to ensure they met HISA safety standards, and all riders completed baseline concussion assessments. Track officials conducted full-action emergency drills, and Del Mar maintained robust on-site medical coverage, including two ALS ambulances, two physicians and trained support staff.

Twenty-one Regulatory Veterinarians from around the world supported the Breeders’ Cup this year. These professionals do not diagnose or treat injuries but determine fitness to race—an essential responsibility requiring expertise, courage and integrity. We are grateful to them for making difficult, high-stakes decisions that put the horse first.

As the sport continues to evolve, the Breeders’ Cup stands as a powerful example of what can be achieved when collaboration, innovation and accountability come together. From new safety protocols to strengthened data systems and unwavering veterinary oversight, every advancement brings us closer to a future where horses and riders compete under the safest conditions possible. HISA remains proud to support the dedicated professionals—on and off the track—whose work ensures that progress never stops.

Yours in racing,

Lisa

LL: Please tell us about your education, training and background. What makes you the right fit to lead the science side of HIWU?

MH:  Before joining HIWU as acting chief of science, I spent more than 16 years as a Regulatory Veterinarian, including serving as the chief official racing veterinarian and safety director at Horseshoe Indianapolis, commission veterinarian for the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation and panel veterinarian for the Breeders’ Cup. I joined the Racing Medication & Testing Consortium (RMTC) as executive director in 2022, a role I’m currently maintaining while with HIWU.

One of the key traits I find critical for the role of a regulator, whether it is chief of science or otherwise, is to be relatable. I started as a Regulatory Veterinarian on the backside of the racetrack and developed relationships with horsemen and other industry stakeholders. It’s important to have someone who’s willing to engage and advocate for changes when warranted.

I recognize that I have big shoes to fill, but through my previous roles and experiences working with laboratories, scientific research and medication control programs, I believe I bring a strong foundation to the job.

LL: What would you say is the biggest difference between your roles at HIWU and the RMTC, and how are you balancing both roles simultaneously?

MH: The major difference is that HIWU is a regulator that’s responsible for implementing the ADMC Program for Thoroughbreds covered by HISA, while the RMTC is an independent nonprofit organization that supports the scientific needs of regulatory bodies, horsemen and other industry stakeholders, alike, which represent all racing breeds. However, the RMTC is an important partner to HISA and HIWU through the work of its Scientific Advisory Committee and management of External Quality Assessment Scheme samples.

Certainly, serving in both roles carries a tremendous amount of responsibility, a challenge I accept. At HIWU, I’m fortunate to be supported by a talented executive team and a science department that offers extensive laboratory and veterinary experience. RMTC’s network of engaged industry stakeholders has also been gracious with sharing organizational responsibilities to ensure my independence in both roles with RMTC and HIWU.

LL:  What are your short- and long-term goals for HIWU’s Science department?

MH: In terms of goals specific to HIWU’s Science department, I’d like to continue to support Program laboratories by promoting investments in enhancing detection methodologies. I’m focused on supporting mechanisms for laboratories on a day-to-day basis, whether that is through advancing communications among the laboratories or funding for tactical research.

Additionally, I want to ensure that we’re taking advantage of the skills and experience of the Laboratory Expert Group established by the HISA Equine Analytical Laboratory (HEAL) accreditation program so that we maintain confidence in its effectiveness.

We’re expanding the collaboration among the Investigations, Operations and Science departments, which has been critical for helping to inform testing strategy.

On an organization-wide scale, I look forward to continuing to strategize on the most effective ways to engage industry stakeholders and educate them on the rules and expectations under the ADMC Program.

LL: How is HEAL accreditation different from RMTC accreditation?

MH: RMTC Laboratory Accreditation has been the industry standard for ensuring that laboratories are meeting the drug testing needs for horse racing in the United States. However, the RMTC is not designed to be intimately involved in day-to-day operations of accredited laboratories or the laboratories’ contractual obligations with their clients, e.g., state racing commissions.

On the other hand, HEAL accreditation utilizes RMTC accreditation as a template and builds on it. The HEAL model was designed to address the specific needs of the ADMC Program. HISA and HIWU are the curators of HEAL accreditation, with oversight by the independent Laboratory Expert Group. Besides requiring Program laboratories to meet HEAL standards and involvement in day-to-day activities, HIWU is also a client of the four current Program laboratories.

LL: Why is laboratory harmonization important for administering an effective ADMC Program?

MH:  It is critical that Program laboratories can consistently meet the same testing expectations and achieve uniform results. Laboratory harmonization provides an assurance to stakeholders that all samples are treated and analyzed consistently regardless of the laboratory. A harmonized testing approach ensures a level playing field nationwide.

One advantage of harmonization is supporting collaboration among Program laboratories. For example, that could mean facilitating the sharing of methodologies and analytical techniques to enhance the detection of certain substances but also expanding our scope of testing through multiple matrices such as blood, urine and hair. Facilitating harmonization around the scope of testing and the capacities of our program laboratories will maximize the success of the Program.

LL:  Are you still working closely with Dr. Mary Scollay given her advisory role at HIWU?

MH: Absolutely. Dr. Scollay is still working with HIWU as an independent consultant, but she is also serving as an advisor and mentor to me and the Science Division. She has mentored me in various capacities over the years, so even if she wasn’t a consultant, I’d still be bugging her with questions. She has paved the way for my current role today and continues to be a great resource.

Behind the Rule

Equine Fatality Reporting Requirements and Quality Control Under HISA

HISA’s Racetrack Safety Program requires a Safety Director at each racetrack to report all equine fatalities to HISA within 24 hours. The Safety Director must confirm at the outset the classification of death, among other details. Every fatality that occurs within 72 hours of racing or training has a post-mortem review performed as part of standard HISA procedure. HISA’s veterinary team reviews the fatality report(s) and compares them against the necropsy reports that Regulatory Veterinarians separately are required to provide to HISA. At the end of each quarter, HISA provides a complete list of fatalities reported for that quarter to each Safety Director and requires the Safety Director to review and confirm that the data is accurate and complete.

In addition to the Safety Director and Regulatory Veterinarian, the Responsible Person has an obligation to notify HISA within three days of any fatality of a Covered Horse. This triple-reporting requirement strengthens the integrity of HISA’s data and supports our goal of advancing evidenced-based policies and rules to improve the health and safety of equine athletes.

Why It Matters

At a recent public Town Hall, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus walked through how this process works—from the first report in the HISA Portal to the quarterly confirmation with racetracks. The goal: to make sure all fatality data is accurate, consistent and transparent across the country.

Thanks to this process, the industry now receives detailed quarterly fatality information—not only by state, but also by track. The data covers both racing- and training-related fatalities and subclassifies all fatalities across musculoskeletal injuries (involving bones, tendons and ligaments), sudden death and other causes (i.e., traumatic injury not related to musculoskeletal injury), providing a clearer picture of where and how incidents occur.

The use of standardized definitions—aligned with The Jockey Club’s Equine Injury Database and international norms—ensures uniformity in reporting, while the inclusion of training-related fatalities in public data marks a historic step toward full transparency. HISA’s dataset provides a reliable foundation for understanding where and how fatalities occur, ultimately supporting a safer future for Thoroughbred racing.

These insights, in collaboration with pre-existing literature and peer-reviewed studies, have already led to HISA issuing an equine health advisory on fatal proximal forelimb fractures, as well as new screening recommendations on Exercise-Associated Sudden Death. We anticipate delivering more critical information to the industry in the coming months, all with the aim of protecting Thoroughbred athletes and enhancing the sport.

HISA Announces New Screening Recommendations on Exercise-Associated Sudden Death

In September, HISA unveiled guidance on protecting Thoroughbred racehorses from Exercise-Associated Sudden Death (EASD). Dr. Cristobal Navas de Solis of the University of Pennsylvania and Dr. Sian Durward-Akhurst of the University of Minnesota investigated underlying causes of EASD and developed prevention strategies to assist trainers and veterinarians in recognizing the signs of, and preventing, sudden cardiac death in Thoroughbreds.

Through advanced cardiac monitoring via wearable devices, these researchers identified that atrial fibrillation can worsen during exercise, causing a more severe arrhythmia that leads to sudden death. These findings were discussed in detail during three webinars last month, one of which is available for viewing on the HISA website.

READ MORE    

Lazarus Visits Horseshoe Indianapolis on Listening Tour

On the fifth stop of her nationwide listening tour, HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus joined Director of Equine Safety & Welfare Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, Director of Racetrack Safety Ann McGovern, Director of Stewarding & State Racing Commission Relations Marc Guilfoil and HIWU Acting Chief Science Officer Dr. Michael Hardy at Horseshoe Indianapolis to meet with horsemen and answer candid questions on HISA finances, the ADMC Program and more.

We’re grateful to everyone who shared their perspectives and ideas. Your insight helps shape our ongoing work to make Thoroughbred racing safer and stronger—for today and for generations to come.

HISA and Onrise Expand Wellness Program to Include Nutrition Coaching for Jockeys

Led by Dr. Brenda McBride, Onrise Chief Medical Officer and Director of Nutrition, HISA announced the addition of nutrition coaching to the suite of confidential wellness services available to licensed jockeys at HISA racetracks through the Onrise platform. Riders can now access personalized nutrition support in both English and Spanish through the same Onrise telehealth system currently used for mental health and peer support services.

For more information or to access services, riders can contact Onrise confidentially through their website, emailing support@onrisecare.com or by calling their toll-free crisis call line at (833) 998-7985.

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HISA Welcomes Retired Jockey Trevor McCarthy as Jockey Wellness Consultant

HISA was pleased this month to welcome retired jockey Trevor McCarthy to the organization as Jockey Wellness Consultant, a new role dedicated to advancing the health, safety and overall well-being of riders nationwide.

“I’m honored to join HISA and contribute to an organization that is focused on supporting riders and making the sport safer for everyone involved,” said McCarthy. “After a lifelong career as a jockey, I know how important it is to have resources that meet both the physical and mental demands of this profession, and I’m eager to help strengthen those supports and resources for my fellow riders.”

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HISA ON THE ROAD – SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER

INTERN EXPERIENCE

Zach Lewin

Technology

“My internship with HISA was an incredibly valuable experience. I was able to participate in very meaningful work including projects relating to race times from gate to wire pre-HISA vs. post-HISA. One of my favorite parts of the internship was collaborating with the other interns every Tuesday, which allowed us to connect and share our experiences and what we were working on. This experience is one I will carry with me in the future as it provided me with more work experience and more confidence and comfort working with other people. I would strongly recommend an internship at HISA for anyone who’s interested in horse racing. A big thank you to HISA for giving me the opportunity to become part of the team this summer, I really enjoyed it.”

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Thank you again for all you do to ensure that we’re moving forward together.

Lisa Lazarus

CEO • HISA