Section 4: Players/Officials
Covered Persons
HISA rules govern every licensed participant connected to a covered horse. The principal participants are:
- Jockey: The licensed rider. Jockeys ride at an assigned weight, must be licensed by the relevant state commission and registered with HISA, and are subject to HISA's riding, crop, and safety rules. An apprentice ("bug") jockey receives a weight allowance for a defined period or number of wins while gaining experience.
- Trainer: The licensed person responsible for the horse's conditioning, entries, and care. The trainer is the "absolute insurer" of the horse's condition under longstanding racing principles, and bears primary responsibility for medication and treatment records.
- Owner: The person or entity that owns the horse and races under registered silks. Owners must be licensed and, as covered persons, are bound by HISA rules.
- Veterinarian: Treating veterinarians must be registered, may only administer permitted treatments within HISA timing rules, and must maintain treatment records. Regulatory veterinarians employed by the racetrack or commission examine horses independently.
Racing Officials
- Stewards: A panel of (typically three) stewards is the on-track judicial authority for a race meet. Stewards supervise the running of races, review inquiries and objections, rule on disqualifications, issue rulings and penalties for on-track infractions, and approve the official order of finish.
- Starter: Responsible for a fair start. The starter approves horses to use the gate, loads the field, and releases the gate.
- Clerk of scales: Verifies that each jockey weighs out before the race and weighs in afterward at the assigned weight, ensuring weight rules are met.
- Paddock judge: Supervises saddling, equipment changes, and the timely movement of horses from paddock to post.
- Placing judges: Determine the order of finish, assisted by the photo-finish camera.
- Patrol judges / video review: Observe the race from multiple vantage points and provide film to the stewards for review of interference.
- Racing veterinarian: Conducts pre-race examinations, maintains the veterinarians' list, and may scratch a horse deemed unfit to race.
- Outriders: Mounted officials who escort horses to the post, catch loose horses, and maintain safety on the track.
- Valets: Assist jockeys with equipment and ensure the correct weight is carried.
Regulatory Bodies
- HISA: Writes and enforces the national Racetrack Safety and ADMC rules, subject to FTC approval.
- HIWU (Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit): Administers the ADMC Program — education, sample collection, laboratory testing, investigations, results management, and prosecution of medication violations.
- State racing commissions: License participants and set meet-specific conditions of racing that do not conflict with HISA rules.
- The Jockey Club: Maintains the Thoroughbred breed registry (foal registration, naming, and pedigree records).