Congress abused its power to rein in horse racing. Here’s how we ride to the rescue

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Thoroughbred horseracing is more than just mint juleps, magnificent animals and funny hats at the Kentucky Derby. It’s also an industry that supports tens of thousands of jobs for everyday Americans, people who are privileged to care for and train these animals.  

The industry includes everyone from the farm kid who mucks out the horse’s stall to the jockey who rides him to victory on the track. And all of these jobs are at risk because of an unconstitutional law passed by Congress two years ago that has horseracing on life support. 

When Congress passed the so-called Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA) in December 2020, it did not create a new federal agency to regulate horseracing in place of the state governments that had been doing it for a century. Instead, Congress handed the power of the federal government over to an unaccountable private organization of self-appointed power-players within the industry.  

SUPREME COURT CASES IN NEW TERM POSE A MULTI-FRONT CHALLENGE TO THE UNACCOUNTABLE ADMINISTRATIVE STATE

Since then, this new authority has imposed millions of dollars in new fees and regulatory costs onto the industry, which was already operating on tight margins. It’s costing people their livelihoods, especially in smaller and rural racing communities, the places that don’t have the big audiences and TV contracts. 

Javier Castellano celebrates atop Mage #8, after crossing the finish line to win the 149th running of the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 06, 2023, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

As a practicing equine veterinarian for three decades who cares first and foremost about the horses in