Some horse racing officials are urging President Donald Trump to use his expanding authoritarian influence to repeal the Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA). Groups such as the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association (NHBPA), the North American Association of Racetrack Veterinarians (NAARV), and the United States Trotting Association (USTA) are also hoping the president will undermine the Federal Trade Commission’s enforcement of new horse racing integrity rules under HISA, managed by the Horse Racing Integrity and Welfare Division (HIWU).
These anti-HISA advocates have authored an open letter, reportedly to be sent to President Trump on December 22, just before the holiday season. The letter begins by subtly acknowledging their weakened position as constitutional challenges to HISA progress through courts in Washington, D.C., prompting them to involve Trump in a complicated regulatory dispute. They argue that while some legal experts expect the Supreme Court to eventually invalidate HISA, horse racing stakeholders need immediate relief due to ongoing uncertainty and financial strain threatening the industry’s stability.
The NHBPA and USTA’s push to pressure Congress into asking Trump for repeal signals a lack of congressional support for dismantling HISA. Their preferred alternative, the Racehorse Health and Safety Act, has little backing. Notably, HISA and HIWU have imposed no costs on taxpayers and have largely been upheld by courts, successfully enhancing safety for Thoroughbred racehorses, one of its key aims.
Despite many criticisms of Congress, its current indifference to HISA is a positive, as there is no rush to act before courts complete their review. Regulators are actively reforming the system internally—for example, introducing new standards on metformin use—even if some changes came late. Adjustments that make regulations more acceptable to the industry suggest the situation isn’t so dire as to require congressional action.
The letter writers ironically commend Trump for his business acumen and awareness of regulatory harms to small businesses, yet overlook that Trump himself signed HISA into law in 2020 with Sen. Mitch McConnell’s support. HISA officials remind that the law reflects Trump’s acknowledgment of the need to protect the sport and its athletes. A spokesperson praised his foresight, emphasizing gratitude from the Thoroughbred racing community.
Any official response from HISA’s leadership to the NHBPA/USTA letter is unlikely, though it would be interesting to see. The letter contains inaccuracies, such as the claim that HISA has been repeatedly ruled unconstitutional. In reality, only the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals struck it down twice, but other courts including the Eighth and Sixth Circuits have upheld it, and the Supreme Court declined to intervene.
The letter recycles old complaints about HISA, including myths about drug administration and overstated regulatory costs. For instance, the claim of $168 million in new costs is incorrect; HISA reports total spending of $152 million, much of which replaces existing budgets for the Anti-Doping and Medication Control program. Thus, the letter’s cost argument ignores offset credits and is misleading.
Further, the letter’s methodology criticizing drug testing rates is flawed, as false comparisons inflate prior testing numbers. The International Association of Horse Racing Commissioners supports HISA’s data showing drug testing levels have modestly increased. The letter also inaccurately suggests federal regulation under HISA lacks industry cooperation, despite repeated overtures from regulators to collaborate on strengthening the sport.
If responding to President Trump, one might say: “Mr. President, five years after signing HISA into law, regulators have made significant improvements but also corrected mistakes. Let them continue reforming the system peacefully until the Supreme Court issues a final ruling. The industry can solve its problems without presidential interference.”
In a move reflecting ongoing commitment to equine welfare, HISA recently launched the Equine Recovery Foundation to assist Thoroughbreds injured in racing and reduce strain on aftercare programs by ensuring proper rehabilitation. They also announced a national audit of veterinarian and examiner lists to standardize practices across jurisdictions, involving extensive stakeholder consultation. Both initiatives embody the bipartisan safety goals that earned broad congressional support for HISA.
Regarding recent Oaklawn Park events, trainer Eusebio Juarez Rufino was suspended following discovery of vasodilators in his vehicle, though many details remain unclear. Separately, Hall of Fame trainer Richard Mandella accepted responsibility for a positive methocarbamol test on his mare Tamara, apologizing to owners and management, highlighting the complexity of compliance and safety standards under HISA.
To conclude, a young journalist from the Paulick Report noted at a recent symposium that while promising reforms are emerging, the industry’s ability to collaborate remains uncertain. There is widespread desire for the sport to survive and thrive, but achieving unity and creative problem-solving continues to be a challenge.
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Fan Take: This ongoing debate over HISA highlights the tension between industry tradition and modern regulatory demands that horse racing fans should care about deeply. Effective reform and integrity in the sport not only safeguard the welfare of the horses but also ensure a fair, trusted experience for fans and participants alike, shaping the future vitality of horse racing.
