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Thursday, October 08, 2015Contact: Caroline Roth (630) 217-1012
INTERNATIONAL FEDERATION OF HORSERACING AUTHORITIES JOINS COALITION FOR HORSE RACING INTEGRITY

Leading global horse racing organization announces support for uniform drug and medication standards in U.S. horse racing

October 8, 2015 – The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity announced today that the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) has joined the Coalition, expressing its support for the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015.  

The IFHA strives to coordinate and harmonize the rules of its 62 member countries regarding breeding, racing and wagering in a manner that ensures the quality and fairness of racing and protects the welfare of horses and jockeys.

This bill, introduced in July 2015 to the House of Representatives by Congressmen Andy Barr (R-KY) and Paul Tonko (D-NY) and formally known as H.R. 3084, will direct the non-governmental, non-profit U.S. Anti-Doping Agency to create an independent, racing-specific, non-governmental and non-profit organization to work collaboratively with state racing commissions and their respective staff members throughout the country.

“Creating a uniform system for the regulation of medications in American horse racing is of critical importance,” said Louis Romanet, chairman of the IFHA. “The international horse racing community must work together if we are to achieve high standards in testing and enforcement of our equine athletes to protect their health and ensure a safe environment.

“Since its creation, the IFHA has sought to protect the integrity, quality and fairness of horse racing worldwide in the interest of both the horses and the general public,” Romanet said. “We believe that the goal of this legislation is very much in line with our mission.”

The IFHA was founded in 1993 to promote proper regulation and best practices on international horse racing matters. The organization produces the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering, a voluntary agreement designed for use by recognized racing and breeding authorizes, as well as statistics concerning breeding, racing and betting.

It held its 49th annual conference on Monday, October 5 at the offices of France Galop in Paris with delegates from 52 countries and a number of racing executives and journalists in attendance.

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity supports the Thoroughbred Horseracing Integrity Act of 2015 and its membership now includes Arapahoe Park, Breeders’ Cup Ltd., Consignors and Commercial Breeders Association, Humane Society of the United States, Humane Society Veterinary Medicine Association, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, The Jockey Club, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs, Vernon Downs, and the Water Hay Oats Alliance.

Additional information, including stories from supporters and ways to contact Congressional members to express support for this legislation, is available at www.horseracingintegrity.com