FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HBPA's Hamelback on Sen. Grassley asking FTC, HISA
about failure to meet statutorily mandated July 1 deadline
LEXINGTON, Ky. (Tuesday, June 28, 2022) — Statement from National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback on U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) and his Senate colleagues Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Kennedy (R-LA) and Joe Manchin (D-WV) sending a letter to the Federal Trade Commission and Horseracing Integrity & Safety Authority asking hard questions about the implementation of the HISA legislation and the rule-making process’ lack of inclusion:

“We join our Iowa affiliate in praising Senator Chuck Grassley and his Senate colleagues for taking a leadership role in demanding answers to many of the same questions we have been asking for months without response.
 
“Hardworking, day-to-day horsemen and horsewomen want safe and clean horse racing, and the Authority is failing in its duty to realize this goal. The Authority and HISA staff are populated with members who do not offer a true inclusive representation for the entire industry, and because of that we are seeing what lack of proper input from all participants causes. They are brazenly violating federal law by missing deadlines and staff are admitting in public forums that the FTC gave them permission to do so. We fully support Senator Grassley’s efforts to find out why this is happening.”

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About the National HBPA
Founded in 1940, the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association is the world’s largest Thoroughbred horsemen’s organization, representing approximately 30,000 owners and trainers throughout the United States and Canada. The responsibilities of the NHBPA and its affiliates have greatly expanded as the racing industry has become more complex. In addition to its original general benevolence mission, the HBPA is the leading force for horsemen in negotiating contracts with tracks as well as the advancement of the sport through safety and integrity initiatives, promoting racing and assisting in the development of aftercare programs for retired racehorses.

Media contact

Eric Hamelback,
CEO, National HBPA
859.259.0451