We spend a lot of time in horse racing and in life talking about “moves.” We look at who is ahead, who is behind, and who is playing a long game. But after watching the latest fallout between HISA and Churchill Downs, and seeing Mike Repole take the fight to the federal level, I’ve realized that analyzing the “moves” can be a distraction.
It’s not about how smart the reformers are. It’s about how incapable the current leadership has become.
The Simple Truth of the Ledger
While HISA is publicly shaming Churchill Downs for $5 million in unpaid fees, there is a much quieter reality sitting in their 2026 budget.
- The Debt: HISA owes millions in startup “loans” to organizations like the Breeders’ Cup and The Jockey Club.
- The Repayment: In the 2026 budget, the line item for loan repayment is $0.
- The Conflict: If you are a federal regulator and you aren’t paying your lenders back in cash, how are you paying them?
When Mike Repole tweets about the unfairness of fees, he isn’t just complaining. He is pointing out a simple truth: A regulator beholden to its lenders cannot be an impartial judge. ### The Solution the “Old Guard” Ignored: The Masry Model For years, we’ve been told aftercare is a “shared responsibility,” which in this sport usually means “everyone’s problem and no one’s priority.” But this week, the conversation shifted from theory to policy.
Louis Masry of Westlake Racing just put the solution on the table: A mandatory, interest-bearing escrow account for every foal at the time of registration.
Mike Repole didn’t just “like” the idea; he amplified it today as the official path forward.
- The Current Way: We rely on the TAA—a voluntary “charity” model that Pat Cummings rightly notes is part of an “incapable” structure.
- The New Way: You breed a horse, you fund its life. Period.
The fact that this hasn’t been implemented already isn’t because it’s hard; it’s because the existing organizations are uninterested in any solution they didn’t invent.
The 18-Month Mandate: A Performance Review
On January 28, I called for an 18-month mandate here at Past The Wire. This wasn’t a threat; it was a deadline.
If the leadership of this sport cannot provide a level financial playing field and a universal aftercare model like the Masry Escrow by mid-2027, they have proven they are unfit for the job.
Most leaders in this space think things are fine as long as they keep their titles. They are wrong. The ship is sinking, and the people currently at the helm are the ones who ran it into the reef.
Your Final Move: Tomorrow’s Deadline
If you think the “Old Guard” will fix this on their own, you haven’t been paying attention. They won’t change until they are forced to.
- Action: HISA is currently seeking public comment on Rule Series 5000 and 7000.
- Deadline: You have until Monday, February 23 (Tomorrow) to make your voice part of the federal record.
Email Samuel.Reinhardt@hisaus.org. Demand that “Owner Intervention” include the right to audit the financial credits given to HISA’s lenders. Demand that “Integrity” include the Masry Model of mandatory aftercare escrow.
The 18-month clock is ticking. It’s time to see who is actually capable of saving this sport.
Behind closed doors somewhere:
