Hollendorfer

I. INTRODUCTION

Horse trainer Jerry Hollendorfer appeals from a judgment denying his petition for a writ of mandate and damages against the California Horse Racing Board (CHRB), which oversees California horse racing under the

state’s Horse Racing Law (Bus. & Prof. Code, § 19400 et seq.).1 Two racing association entities denied him participation in race meets under their race meet agreements (RMAs) with the trainer organization, California Thoroughbred Trainers (CTT), after he experienced six equine deaths. He sought relief in multiple ways: complaints to the CHRB, with hearing requests under Section 19573; grievances to CTT, which filed administrative complaints with the CHRB; and lawsuits (in part with CTT, and all settled). The CHRB investigated Hollendorfer’s complaints and determined no hearing was due. CTT withdrew one administrative complaint, and the CHRB dismissed the other on mootness grounds. Hollendorfer then filed this action, alleging the CHRB erred in various ways, including by denying his hearing request and in its handling of CTT’s administrative complaints. He also alleged the CHRB’s failure to carry out its mandatory duties violated Government Code section…