Indiana Commission Restricts Horse Transfers

of Suspended Trainers

The Indiana Horse Racing Commission has promulgated a new regulation that prohibits the transfer of a suspended trainer’s horses to his or her spouse, member of the immediate family, assistant, employee or household member.

It is believed that Indiana is the first state to impose such restrictions on the transfer of a suspended trainer’s horses.

The decision to adopt the regulation was made at the Commission’s public meeting in Indianapolis on Friday, March 16, 2007. 

“The new regulation ensures that trainer suspensions are meaningful and not cosmetic,” said Joe Gorajec, the Commission’s Executive Director.  “The betting public should be assured that a trainer is not involved with his or her stable while serving a suspension.”

Edward J. Martin, President and CEO of the Association of Racing Commissioner’s International (RCI), called the new regulation “progressive” and “fair and balanced.”  Martin said the Indiana rule will be brought to the attention of the RCI Model Rules Committee for consideration as a national standard to combat this industry-wide problem.

To ensure compliance, the Commission will have the power to exercise its discretion to require the horses of suspended trainers to be stabled on the grounds of its race tracks.

In other business, the Commission also reaffirmed its commitment to its Integrity ’06 program.  The Integrity ’06 program, which began in the spring of 2006, consists of a series of initiatives instituted to deter the administration of unauthorized medication on race day.