An independent assessment of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has raised questions about whether the nearly $230 million spent on the federal program by the end of 2025 has produced meaningful improvements in equine safety or anti-doping efforts.

The review, conducted by the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI), examined publicly available data from the nineteen states under HISA regulation since 2022. It found that the equine fatality—or “ran safe”—rate has remained virtually unchanged, anti-doping testing has declined, and no new doping substances have been detected. Meanwhile, $165 million in new fees have been levied on the thoroughbred industry.

HISA has proposed a $78.4 million budget for 2026.

According to the ARCI report, the “ran safe” rate for thoroughbred starters was 99.87% in 2022 and 99.90% in 2024, a variation of just 0.03%. However, post-race anti-doping tests dropped 46% during the same period, and a sharp increase in TCO₂ testing—representing 31% of all HISA testing in 2024—yielded only 4% of adverse findings. HISA has also implemented an artificial intelligence system to flag “at-risk” horses, but limited transparency prevents independent verification of its effectiveness.

ARCI President Ed Martin said the assessment was prompted by concerns voiced at a closed-door meeting of the American Horse Council’s Racing Committee and a lack of oversight from federal agencies. Neither the Federal Trade Commission, the Government Accountability Office, nor any congressional committee has yet reviewed HISA’s operations.

“The oversight of this entity has been virtually non-existent,” Martin said. “If people are not satisfied with these results given the cost, then HISA will need to be either fixed or replaced, which would require modifications to the original statute.”

Martin also noted that the HISA Act was added to a COVID relief bill at the end of 2020 without the usual congressional review process, which he said contributed to ongoing legal challenges and division within the industry.

Despite its critique, the ARCI emphasized that it has not taken sides in any court cases and continues to urge cooperation between state regulators, HISA, and the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU) to promote both safety and integrity in racing.