The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has approved an $80 million budget for the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA), a regulatory body created in 2020 to oversee safety and anti-doping measures in professional horse racing. While the FTC claims HISA operates in a "prudent and cost-effective manner," a closer examination of the authority's budget reveals a concerning pattern of excessive spending that raises questions about the true necessity and efficiency of this government-backed initiative.

Uncovering the Costly Oversight of a Niche Sport

Prioritizing Anti-Doping Over Equine Welfare

The majority of HISA's approved 2025 budget, a staggering $58.6 million, is allocated to its anti-doping and medication control program. This outsized focus on policing drug use in racehorses comes at the expense of more pressing concerns, such as ensuring racetrack safety ($3 million) and providing veterinary services for the horses ($916,000) – both of which should be the responsibility of the private industry, not the taxpayer.

Lavish Salaries and Questionable Expenses

HISA's budget also includes substantial expenditures that raise eyebrows. The authority will pay $6.7 million to cover the salaries of 36 full-time employees at the Horseracing Integrity and Welfare Unit (HIWU), a division of Drug Free Sport International, which handles the authority's anti-doping efforts. Additional expenses, such as $1 million for travel, $7 million for technology and professional services, and $2.8 million in "management fees" to HIWU, further contribute to the bloated budget.

Prioritizing Public Relations Over Tangible Improvements

The HISA budget also allocates $420,000 for professional public relations services and $100,000 for a "white paper on the benefits provided by security cameras in shedrows" – a seemingly frivolous expenditure that does little to directly improve the safety or integrity of horse racing. These allocations raise concerns about the authority's priorities and whether taxpayer funds are being used effectively to address the core issues facing the industry.

A Wealthy Demographic's Niche Sport

It's important to note that the safety, health, and fairness of horse racing are indeed important goals, but they primarily benefit a narrow segment of the population – the wealthy owners and breeders of thoroughbred racehorses. This demographic neither needs nor is entitled to tens of millions of dollars in annual taxpayer subsidies to regulate their niche sport.

A Call for Efficiency and Accountability

The incoming Department of Government Efficiency should closely scrutinize the FTC's approval of HISA's hefty budget and consider whether this level of public funding is truly justified. The authority should be held accountable for its spending and required to demonstrate a clear, cost-effective plan that prioritizes the well-being of horses and the integrity of the sport over lavish administrative costs and public relations efforts.