Congressman Andy Barr: Horseracing Integrity Act Needed
With the introduction of the Horseracing Integrity Act on March 14 in the United States House of Representatives, BloodHorse’s online editor, Frank Angst, caught up with Rep. Andy Barr (Republican, Ky.), who introduced the rules with Rep. Paul Tonko (Democrat, N.Y.) The invoice, which would create a private, independent horse racing anti-doping authority accountable for developing and administering a national anti-doping and medicine control program for horse racing, was delivered with 27 co-sponsors and stated by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
The Horseracing Integrity Act is backed by way of the Coalition for Horse Racing Integrity, a diverse organization of 18 individuals that includes racing corporations, racetracks, proprietor and breeder institutions, and animal welfare corporations that guide the adoption of a national uniform general for drug and medicinal drug regulations in horse racing. CHRI counts BloodHorse proprietors, The Jockey Club, and the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association among its contributors. Five days after the bill was brought, Barr expressed optimism because he stated there might be greater information that horse racing has ended up an industry that is national in scope.
He stated the current country-by-means-of-kingdom regulatory framework has fallen short of uniformity. He noted that the contemporary law might be funded within the enterprise—not utilizing horseplayers via delivered takeout. BloodHorse: What are a number of the motives you have been so devoted to these rules? Andy Barr: During my period in Congress, I changed into turning off the issue. I had been around the horse enterprise my whole existence. My grandfather (J. B. Faulconer) became vp of public members of the family at Keeneland again within the ’60s; I grew up going to Three Chimneys Farm with my pal Case Clay—being around Seattle Slew and going out to Keeneland as a younger man and being a fan. You can not avoid it if you develop up in Lexington, Kentucky. As a young legal professional, I represented horse farms even in my regulation practice, and we dealt with various troubles associated with the horse industry.
So, I became familiar with the industry. However, I spent those first few years in Congress virtually listening to all facets, from proprietors, breeders, trainers, and the tracks—getting a lay of the land. This has been a long-standing movement and effort to cope with the difficulty of medication in Thoroughbred racing. I looked at the Jockey Club Round Table minutes from 1980 when my grandfather went to those meetings. In the early ’80s, I trust my grandfather became the Thoroughbred Racing Association’s vice-chairman. I had to look at what my grandfather was listening to then. (Then Jockey Club Chairman) Nicholas Brady gave a speech, and it was remarkable. They spoke about equal problems 30, 40 years ago—which became ‘What will we do about doping? What will we do about medication?’
AB: That’s a hassle for me. After taking note of my ingredients and absolutely soaking up the arguments on all facets, I realized that for the future prosperity of the industry, we do want to do all we can to ensure uniformity. Especially considering the differences in U.S. Racing and foreign jurisdictions—in which they—I wanted to do something that could deliver the U.S. Up to global requirements within the way we modify remedy. BH: There are differences from kingdom to nation under this regulatory model regarding uniformity. Thoroughbred racing within the Thirties changed into more of an intrastate proposition. Some horses traveled there, but it wasn’t like it is nowadays.
Today, most Thoroughbreds are moving across the nation traces; their starts are at distinct racetracks throughout the country. Ninety% of the care is being wagered via (advance-deposit wagering) systems and simulcast wagering. It’s not like most of the mana management contracts in one state. So, to entice that new generation of fans, we want to ensure uniformity inside the racing guidelines. I do not assume everybody could say, ‘Well, university basketball regulations must be distinct because you’re gambling inside the East Region instead of the South Region.’ Or while Kentucky performs Abilene Christian, they’re going to be playing with a 25-foot three-point line; while Duke plays, they will be playing with a 20-foot 3-factor line. It’s better for the game and better for the fans if the wagering public has confidence that every one of those racehorses is racing beneath an unmarried set of uniform nationwide rules. We want to do as much as possible to ensure the sport’s protection and integrity.
