Churchill Downs Faces HISA Hearing Over Unpaid 2025 Fees

Regulatory body seeks $5.2M in unpaid assessments from racetrack operator

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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The Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) has issued four notices to Churchill Downs Incorporated for non-payment of its 2025 regulatory fees. The matter will go before a HISA panel on March 11, with the regulatory body seeking a total of $5.2 million in unpaid assessments from Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs. This is separate from an ongoing legal dispute over Churchill Downs' refusal to pay HISA's assessed fees for 2023 and 2024.

Why it matters

The standoff between Churchill Downs and HISA over regulatory fees highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles surrounding the implementation of the new federal oversight body for horse racing. The outcome of this hearing could have significant implications for Churchill Downs' ability to operate its racetracks under HISA's jurisdiction, as well as the broader financial sustainability of the regulatory framework.

The details

According to the notices issued by HISA, the regulatory body is seeking the following unpaid assessments from Churchill Downs' properties: $2.5 million for Churchill Downs, $1.49 million for Turfway Park, $761,000 for Presque Isle Downs, and $465,000 for Ellis Park. HISA has asked the panel to require Churchill Downs to pay these amounts within 10 days, or face a prohibition on conducting horse racing under HISA's oversight, which would prevent the company from simulcasting its races outside of the state.

  • The HISA panel hearing is scheduled for March 11, 2026.
  • The unpaid assessments are for the 2025 calendar year.

The players

Horse Racing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA)

The federal regulatory body overseeing horse racing in the United States, established by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act of 2020.

Churchill Downs Incorporated

The publicly traded company that owns and operates several major racetracks, including Churchill Downs, Turfway Park, Ellis Park, and Presque Isle Downs.

Joe De Francis, Bill Thomason, and Terri Mazur

The three HISA board members who will hear the case against Churchill Downs on March 11.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tensions and legal battles surrounding the implementation of the new federal oversight body for horse racing, with significant implications for the financial sustainability of the regulatory framework and the ability of major racetrack operators like Churchill Downs to conduct business under HISA's jurisdiction.