Marshall Gramm, an economics professor at Rhodes College and owner of Ten Strike Racing, is facing a potential lifetime ban from horse racing following charges by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) for allegedly accessing confidential horse health records without authorization. HISA alleges Gramm used an automated method to disguise his access between May and June to obtain health information intended only for veterinarians and horse connections.
According to HISA CEO Lisa Lazarus, Gramm leveraged this alleged access to monetize the information, participating in pari-mutuel wagering and claiming nine horses that earned his racing team between $80,000 and $90,000. Lazarus stated that this provided Gramm with a significant advantage, as he possessed health information prior to claiming races that was unavailable to others.
HISA intends to reimburse the previous owners of the claimed horses and pursue legal action for restitution from Gramm. HISA counsel John Roach indicated that the potential penalty could extend to a lifetime ban.
Gramm has denied the allegations, asserting that the information was accessible through his authorized HISA account and that he bypassed no security protocols. In a statement on social media platform X, he stated he exercised poor judgment by not reporting the vulnerability to HISA sooner after it became public knowledge. He vowed to "vigorously defend" himself at an upcoming HISA hearing in September.
HISA has also shared its findings with federal and local law enforcement agencies, which could lead to further penalties if Gramm is found to have violated any laws. Lazarus emphasized that significant consequences are necessary for individuals who compromise the integrity of racing rules and abuse confidential horse health information.
Racehorse owner Mike Repole commented on X, expressing embarrassment and sadness regarding the situation. He stated that if the allegations are true, it could become one of horse racing's biggest scandals. Repole also raised concerns about the broader issues within horse racing, including "insider problems" related to sales, wagering, data, and access, suggesting that HISA needs to disclose the full extent of the breach and whether others were involved. He expressed a belief that the incident could jeopardize the future of HISA itself.