During a recent panel at the Association of Racing Commissioners International annual meeting in Louisville, five racing investigators discussed the importance of collaboration across jurisdictions in horse racing oversight. Dr. Stuart Brown, vice president of equine safety at Keeneland, moderated the session, highlighting the role of investigators as guardians of the sport. The panel included representatives from various organizations, including Breeders’ Cup and the Horseracing Integrity & Welfare Unit.

David Duncan from Breeders’ Cup shared their proactive approach, where investigators accompany veterinarians during horse treatments to ensure compliance and prevent contamination or illicit medication issues. Don Ahrens from Sam Houston Race Park recounted a successful intervention where a horse was scratched from a race due to a violation involving nebulizer treatment, underscoring the effectiveness of vigilant monitoring.

The panelists emphasized the necessity of cooperation among different regulatory bodies, with Paul Brooker from the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation stressing the importance of honoring decisions from other jurisdictions. Ahrens noted the value of maintaining an up-to-date database of sanctions, while ARCI president Ed Martin encouraged ongoing communication among agencies to ensure compliance and effective oversight in the industry.