Horseracing Oversight Goes Federal

Federal regulators are again flexing their power over American industries, as the FTC unveils the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s 2026 budget.

Story Snapshot

  • The FTC published HISA’s proposed 2026 budget, inviting public comment and signaling ongoing federal involvement in horseracing.
  • HISA, created in 2020, represents the first nationwide regulatory framework for Thoroughbred racing, shifting power from states to federal authorities.
  • Industry stakeholders, including racetracks and trainers, can influence outcomes through public comment, but final control rests with the FTC.
  • Federal oversight raises concerns about bureaucracy, regulatory overreach, and the erosion of local decision-making in American sports governance.

FTC Launches Public Review of HISA’s 2026 Budget

On September 3, 2025, the Federal Trade Commission published the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s proposed 2026 budget in the Federal Register, initiating a new public comment period. This process is part of the FTC’s direct oversight responsibilities, which now extend to reviewing and approving budgets for the entire Thoroughbred racing industry. The comment period allows stakeholders, from racetrack owners to everyday citizens, to weigh in on how federal dollars and regulations shape the future of American horseracing.

Thirty-eight comments had already been received within two days of the budget’s release, with agencies actively reviewing feedback as it arrives. After the public comment window closes, the FTC will make the final decision to approve or disapprove the proposed budget. This process underscores a dramatic shift from local and state control to federal authority, raising questions about who truly sets the rules for this iconic American sport.

Federalization of Horseracing Oversight: How Did We Get Here?

The roots of this regulatory transformation trace back to the 2020 Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act, which established HISA under the pretense of addressing safety and integrity concerns. Before HISA, regulation was largely managed by the states, allowing for diverse approaches to safety and competition. With the new law, the FTC was granted sweeping powers over HISA, including the authority to approve both rules and budgets. This consolidation is the first time a single national framework has governed U.S. Thoroughbred racing, shifting the balance of power away from local stakeholders and toward centralized federal regulators.

HISA’s regulatory reach now covers all Thoroughbred racing participants and facilities across the country. The FTC’s role is not limited to passive oversight; it actively reviews every annual budget proposal and regulatory change. For industry participants—racetrack owners, trainers, jockeys, and veterinarians—this means compliance with a uniform set of federal rules, regardless of local priorities or economic conditions. The public is encouraged to comment, but the real leverage remains with the FTC’s commissioners and staff, who ultimately control the fate of HISA’s programs and spending.

Stakeholders, Impact, and Concerns About Federal Overreach

For conservative Americans, the HISA case offers a cautionary illustration of how federal agencies, through mechanisms like the FTC’s budget review, can quietly erode local control and impose one-size-fits-all rules. The outcome of the 2026 budget review will affect not just the racing industry, but also set precedent for whether other sectors may face similar federalization in the future. As debates unfold, many will watch closely to ensure that constitutional limits, fiscal responsibility, and the voices of local communities are not drowned out by the ever-growing power of unelected federal regulators.

While federal oversight may bring some benefits in safety and transparency, the broader implications for American values—local control, individual liberty, and limited government—remain front and center. Stakeholders and citizens alike are urged to use the public comment period to make their voices heard, safeguarding the balance between regulation and freedom in American life.

Sources:

HISA Proposed 2026 Budget (Federal Register)
Federal Register – HISA 2026 Budget Details
HISA Official About Us
Federal Register – HISA Assessment Methodology Rule Modification

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