News Releases

Wednesday, April 26, 2017Contact: Bob Curran Jr. (212) 521-5326
Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity Welcomes The Stronach Group’s Support of Impending Bill

The Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity (CHRI) applauds the decision of Frank Stronach, the founder and honorary chairman of The Stronach Group, to strongly support the Horseracing Integrity Act, legislation that will create a uniform, nationwide, conflict-free drug testing enforcement program for horse racing.

Stronach made the commitment on behalf of The Stronach Group after a meeting of industry stakeholders in Lexington, KY on Monday, April 24, 2017. Among those in attendance were members of CHRI, Stronach and Congressman Andy Barr (R-KY).

The Horseracing Integrity Act is expected to be formally introduced in the House of Representatives in the next few days, with Congressmen Barr and Paul Tonko (D-NY) as the co-sponsors. The original version of the bill, H.R. 3084, introduced last Congress garnered the support of nearly 90 co-sponsors.

“Like Congressmen Barr and Tonko, Frank Stronach realizes and appreciates that this industry sorely needs a national, uniform, anti-doping and medication control program that would be developed and enforced by a private, independent, self-regulatory non-profit organization,” said  Shawn Smealie, executive director of CHRI.  “We also expect a Senate version of the new bill to be introduced in the near future and we are heartened by the growing support for this approach not only in the halls of Congress but throughout the horse racing industry.”

The regulation of horse racing in the United States is highly fragmented among the 38 jurisdictions and it has led to a wide disparity in the effectiveness of anti-doping and medication control rules, testing and enforcement.

The Coalition represents a diverse group of horse racing and animal welfare organizations, including Breeders’ Cup Ltd., the Consignors and Breeders Association, The Humane Society of the United States, the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association, the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, The Jockey Club, the Jockey Club of Canada, the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association and the Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the Water Hay Oats Alliance. Other members include Arapahoe Park, Centaur Gaming, Keeneland Association Inc., Meadowlands Racetrack, Tioga Downs and Vernon Downs.