Four New Members Join HISA Horsemen's Advisory Group

Thoroughbred trainers Dale Romans, John Sadler and Shug McGaughey, plus racing and bloodstock manager Gavin Murphy, have joined the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA)'s Horsemen's Advisory Group, the HISA  Authority announced via press release Tuesday.

The advisory group is a body of racing industry participants formed by  the HISA Authority last year to provide formal feedback to the Authority 's executive team and Standing Committees on the implementation and evolution of its Racetrack Safety and Anti-Doping and Medication Control (ADMC) regulations.

The four new members will replace outgoing Horsemen's Advisory members Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones.

Romans is an Eclipse Award-winning trainer from Louisville, Kentucky. He races in Kentucky, New York and Florida, and is a member of the board of directors while also serving as the vice president of the Kentucky Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association.

Sadler is a California-based conditioner who has been training since 1978. In addition to training multiple Eclipse Award champions, Sadler was previously president of the California Thoroughbred Trainers and a member of the board of the Thoroughbred Owners of California.

McGaughey is a New York- and Florida-based Hall-of-Fame trainer and a native of Lexington, Kentucky. Historically the private trainer for the laureled Phipps Stable, McGaughey brings decades of experience as a top horseman to the Horsemen's Advisory Group. Five of McGaughey's trainees have been inducted into the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame.

Murphy, originally from Queensland, Australia, is the head of SF Bloodstock, an internationally recognized investment fund, with breeding and racing operations in the U.S., Australia, and Europe. A longtime industry stakeholder, Murphy was previously employed at Soros Fund Management, has served on the board of directors of the Breeders' Cup, and has a significant involvement with top Australian stud farm, Newgate.

The full list of the Horsemen's Advisory Group members can be found here.

The Group has 19 members with a wide variety of viewpoints from across racing. Its membership includes trainers, owners, veterinarians, backstretch employees and representatives of racing offices and aftercare initiatives.

“I am grateful to Rick Gold, Rick Schosberg, Donnie Von Hemel, and the late Frank Jones for their dedication to improving HISA's Racetrack Safety and ADMC programs,” said the HISA Authority's chief executive officer, Lisa Lazarus. “Their feedback has been integral to HISA's evolution as we work to create a fair and safe playing field for the sport. We look forward to collaborating with the new horsemen joining our group and benefitting from their years of hands-on experience in the Thoroughbred industry.”