Hall of Fame Trainer Bob Baffert Joins HISA Advisory Group

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has added Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert to its Horsemen’s Advisory Group. The appointment, announced Aug. 14, places the veteran conditioner alongside fellow trainers Jena Antonucci and Tim Keefe as new members of the 18-member panel. The trio replaces outgoing advisors Kelsey Danner, Gavin Murphy, and Jonathan Sadler.

In his advisory role, Baffert will provide feedback on HISA’s Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control programs. These programs establish the comprehensive rules and regulations governing safety and medication in the sport. HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus stated that the organization values the perspectives new members bring as it collaborates with stakeholders to improve safety for both horses and participants.

The development comes after a period of significant regulatory friction between Baffert and Churchill Downs Incorporated. In 2021, Churchill Downs issued a two-year suspension to Baffert after Medina Spirit, his first-place finisher in that year’s Kentucky Derby, failed a postrace drug test. The suspension was later extended by a year amid litigation, during which Baffert alleged the venue was targeting him. He dropped the lawsuit in January 2024 and was reinstated by Churchill Downs roughly five months later, allowing him to field horses in the 2025 and 2026 Kentucky Derbys.

HISA, established by Congress in 2020, oversees thoroughbred racing integrity, including medication regulations, lab accreditations, and injury prevention. The authority introduced several safety measures following a series of horse fatalities at Churchill Downs Incorporated prior to the 2023 Kentucky Derby.

What to watch

• Future regulatory updates from HISA regarding racetrack safety and anti-doping protocols.
• Participation levels of high-profile trainers at Churchill Downs Incorporated events under the current regulatory framework.

Source: original release