The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced the launch of a comprehensive review aimed at updating the Veterinarians’ List and Stewards’ List categories across U.S. Thoroughbred racing, with changes targeted for 2026. Through this initiative, HISA aims to modernize oversight tools, providing additional insights into national safety metrics.
Beginning in 2026, HISA will conduct a detailed audit of existing Veterinarians’ List and relevant Stewards’ List categories across racetracks, state racing commissions and HISA’s rules. As part of this process, HISA will distribute a comprehensive survey in early 2026 to Regulatory Veterinarians and stewards and will conduct in-person interviews with those groups to gather information on current practices. The collected responses will be used to document the range of Veterinarians’ List practices and identify areas where differences exist across jurisdictions.
Once the information-gathering phase is complete, HISA will conduct an internal analysis of the findings to identify patterns, gaps and areas where updates may be needed. Following this review, HISA will work with its advisory groups to evaluate potential approaches for future Veterinarians’ List and Stewards’ List categories. The process will include consultation with a broad range of stakeholders, including owners, trainers, racing offices, attending veterinarians and other industry participants. Input from these groups will inform the development of a system that is practical, fair and aligned with the industry’s commitment to equine welfare.
“The current structure of the Veterinarians’ List and relevant Stewards’ Lists, which are based on legacy categories created decades ago, varies widely across states and racetracks and, in some cases, is no longer fit for purpose in a modern, national racing environment,” says Dr. Jennifer Durenberger, Director of Equine Safety and Welfare at HISA. “As with any HISA initiative, our goal is to promote equity among all stakeholders and ensure more transparency into national safety metrics, while providing appropriate protections for horses identified as being at increased risk for injury.”
At the conclusion of this project, HISA will release its findings publicly and outline a set of modernized Veterinarians’ List and Stewards’ List categories.
Equine Recovery Foundation
The HISA Equine Recovery Foundation (HERF) is an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to providing critical assistance for Thoroughbred racehorses sustaining a career-ending injury during racing. Set to begin operations in early 2026, HERF’s mission is two-fold:
- 1. Support racehorses — with injuries sustained during races that historically have a positive prognosis for recovery — by ensuring immediate access to quality veterinary treatment and rehabilitation in order to facilitate a successful aftercare placement.
- 2. Enhance access to diagnostic imaging services and tools by expanding racetrack resources to prevent injuries.
HISA recognizes that timely intervention can save lives and improve outcomes for injured horses. HERF is designed to fill a specific gap by funding veterinary care — including surgeries with historically high success rates — and comprehensive rehabilitation for qualifying horses, with each case accompanied by a long-term care plan to ensure ongoing well-being. The voluntary program, entered into at the sole discretion of the owner, will also play a vital role in expanding knowledge around injury prevention to further protect the welfare of racehorses. HERF is also designed to remove some burden from the aftercare system by rehabilitating the horse and ensuring it is recovered before it enters aftercare.
“There are situations where costs and other considerations make it difficult for owners to pursue surgical interventions that can prevent unnecessary euthanasia,” said HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus. “HERF will help fill that gap and will explore diagnostic tools and advanced testing to help horsemen identify at-risk horses sooner.”
A critical part of HERF’s mission will be to fund the retirement of horses whose lives are saved through medical intervention provided by HERF. HERF is looking forward to working closely with the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance (TAA), which has made tremendous strides in advancing the welfare of retired racehorses, and other vetted solutions on this effort.
A pilot program will launch in early 2026 in the Mid-Atlantic, supported by an initial donation of $100,000 generously gifted by Joe De Francis and Katherine Wilkins De Francis. Additional funds will be raised by HERF’s independent Board of Directors and distributed on a defined, case-by-case basis. All funds allocated to HERF will be raised exclusively from sources external to HISA and will be entirely separate from HISA’s operating budget. Additional racetracks will be onboarded in the second quarter of 2026.
HERF’s Board of Directors will consist of:
- Joe De Francis (HISA Board member and HERF Chair)
- Craig Bandoroff (owner of Denali Stud)
- Andrew Beyer (Founder, Beyer Speed Figures)
- Katherine Wilkins De Francis (Animal welfare activist and former racing executive)
- Terry Finley (Founder, West Point Thoroughbreds)
- David Ingordo (Bloodstock agent and manager Belladonna Racing)
- Griffin Johnson (Influencer and racehorse owner)
- Ron Moquett (Thoroughbred trainer)
- David O’Rourke (CEO, New York Racing Association)
- Sue Stover (Veterinarian, University of California, Davis; Chair of HISA’s Racetrack Safety Committee)
In addition to the Board of Directors, HERF will have an Advisory Council that will advise HERF on its protocols. The Advisory Council will consist of individuals with specific expertise in veterinary medicine and aftercare. Dr. Dionne Benson, Chief Medical Officer of 1/ST Racing, will serve as Chair and Mike Rogers, Executive Vice President of 1/ST Racing, will serve as Vice Chair—bringing invaluable expertise from the successful programs established by 1/ST Racing in California, Florida and Maryland. HISA Communications Director Mandy Minger has been named Executive Director of HERF. For more information about HERF, or to inquire about supporting the foundation, please contact mandy.minger@hisaus.org.
