Vienna to Join CHRB in Oversight Program

(edited CHRB release)
Longtime trainer and attorney Darrell Vienna has been retained by the California Horse Racing Board to help initiate a continuing education program for its members and professional staff to improve the agency's regulatory and oversight performance.

Chairman Richard B. Shapiro said the program would use seminars and perhaps the development of a manual for stewards and investigators on existing rules and procedures and their uniform and effective application.

"It is not easy to apply rules in a uniform manner to the sport of horseracing," said Shapiro. "There are many gray areas that sometimes lead to uneven enforcement. We want to ensure fair, equal and thorough enforcement of our rules. We need to develop a policy, so that in situations that are not black or white, we are consistent throughout the state."

Shapiro said that Vienna would serve as an expert consultant to assist the board in the endeavor. Shapiro said that over the years, Vienna has assisted the CHRB in the development of rules and procedures relating to backstretch security, surveillance and TCO2 testing. Vienna has served on various CHRB committees.

"We are building a team of professionals and experts in different disciplines of the sport so we can regulate fairly and efficiently," continued Shapiro. "Darrell is a great addition to our team."

Vienna has owned, trained, and bred Thoroughbreds since 1976. He served with the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office and has been a court-appointed counsel in criminal matters in Superior Court.

Shapiro said the California Attorney General's office, the Department of General Servicss and an independent industry attorney were asked to review Vienna's role.

"As a condition of his arrangement with the board, Darrell may continue to train horses, but he cannot represent licensees before the board, and will not participate or provide any input or counsel on any matter in which he has an interest," Shapiro said.