WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a lawsuit by Republican-controlled states challenging a horse racing safety law that led to national medication and anti-doping rules.
The justices left in place an appeals court ruling that upheld the law and rejected the claim that Congress had given too much power to the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority, the private entity that administers the rules.
Charles Scheeler, Chairman of the Board of HISA, welcomed the court’s decision, which marked a 38% drop in the number of fatal horse accidents in the first three months of this year.
“HISA’s uniform standards have a significant, positive impact on the health and welfare of horses,” he said in a statement.
Oklahoma, Louisiana and West Virginia attempted to overturn the law, and other racetracks that do not operate under the HISA law joined them.
“I have said all along that we will do our due diligence all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court to ensure that the rules applicable to horsemen are fair, clear and constitutional,” said Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association.
Two other cases are pending in federal court, one in the 5th Circuit and one in the 8th Circuit.
“We could hear from the 5th Circuit any day whether HISA remains unconstitutional after Congress amended it, and the oral argument last October went in our favor,” Hamelback said.
Both Scheeler and Tom Rooney, president and CEO of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, called on HISA opponents to drop their lawsuits.
“It is high time that opponents of the HISA withdraw their ongoing lawsuits,” Scheeler said. “In light of this decision, continued litigation will only take up time and valuable resources that cannot distract us from our core mission of improving the safety and integrity of Thoroughbred racing.”
Rooney added: “It is time for all parties to end their internal fighting and support HISA as the law.”
The anti-doping program, which came into force in spring 2023, is an attempt to centralize doping tests on racehorses and manage the results. It also aims to impose uniform penalties for horses and trainers in the 38 racing states instead of the previous patchwork system.
“This decision will enable HISA to continue its work to protect the health and safety of equestrian athletes, thereby promoting greater trust and integrity in thoroughbred racing,” Rooney said in a statement.
In September, a bill to dissolve the new agency was introduced in the House of Representatives, but has not yet been implemented.
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