The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Wednesday, January 4, 2012 resolved that the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2009 be amended by the promulgation of the following Rule, effective January 9, 2012.

Chapter 4
LICENSING

Rule 4.15.02  Each Association shall ensure that it has an agreement with either of the following for the purposes of Section 3(1)(c)(iii) of the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations:

1. a horsepeople’s organization licensed pursuant to Rule 4.15.01; or
2. individuals licensed in good standing by the Commission and racing at that Association.

Failure to comply with this rule may result in fines or suspension.  

 

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

 

John L. Blakney
Executive Director

WHEREAS the use of 3rd party staking services has increased over the last number of years;

AND WHEREAS the ORC wishes to ensure that staking payments made to 3rd parties are processed and notification made in a timely way;

TAKE NOTICE that Standardbred Rule 16.18 is hereby immediately amended to ensure that all staking payments made are properly accounted;

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the ratification of the amended Rule 16.18 by the Board of the Ontario Racing Commission shall occur on Thursday, February 23, 2012;

Chapter 1

PRELIMINARY

Standardbred

1.01  The following rules have been enacted and declared to be the official rules of the Ontario Racing Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) and these rules shall apply to all Standardbred raceways and participants under the Commission jurisdiction

1.02  Standardbred racing shall be conducted in accordance with the rules, Commission directives, conditions of licences granted by the Director or the Commission, track rules approved by the Director, AND any other applicable laws and regulations.

Vs.

Thoroughbred

1.01.01.1  These rules apply to all thoroughbred tracks under the Commission jurisdiction.

1.01.01.2  For the purposes of quarter horse racing, the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing shall apply with the exception that they shall be superseded by the Quarter Horse appendage if a conflict exist.

1.01.2              The laws of the Province of Ontario and the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing including the Quarter Horse appendage shall supersede the conditions of a horse race and the regulations of the Association.

Suggested Change:

Thoroughbred

1.01.01.1  The following rules have been enacted and declared to be the official rules of the Ontario Racing Commission (hereinafter referred to as the Commission) and these rules shall apply to all Thoroughbred racetracks and participants under the Commission jurisdiction

1.01.2 Thoroughbred racing shall be conducted in accordance with the rules, Commission directives, conditions of licences granted by the Director or the Commission, track rules approved by the Director, AND any other applicable laws and regulations. The Rules of Thoroughbred Racing including the Quarter Horse appendage shall supersede the conditions of a horse race and the regulations of the Association.

Chapter 13

PROTESTS, OBJECTIONS AND APPEALS

Standardbred

23.07  Rulings on protests which affect purse money or order of finish after the race was declared official shall have no effect on the distribution of pari-mutuel pools.

Vs.

Thoroughbred

13.14  When, after the posting of the “Official” sign immediately after a race has been run, a horse is disqualified as a result of a protest, or by reason of a positive urine or blood test, such disqualification shall in no way affect the wagering on the race.

Suggested Change:

Thoroughbred

13.14  Rulings on protests which affect purse money or order of finish after the race was declared official shall have no effect on the distribution of pari-mutuel pools.

Chapter 15

ILLEGAL AND CORRUPT PRACTICES

15.12   The Commission, all persons operating race tracks or conducting race meetings, the Director, the Stewards and the Security Chief shall have the right to permit a person or persons authorized by any of them to enter in or upon the buildings, rooms, vehicles or other places within the grounds of any racing Association to examine, search and inspect them and the personal property and effects of any persons in or upon such places.

And

15.34   The Director or those persons authorized by the Director shall have the right to enter upon the buildings, stables, rooms, vehicles or other places within the grounds of any Association for the purpose of examining, searching, inspecting and seizing the personal property and effects of any person in or upon such place.

Suggested Change:

15.12   Delete. Replaced by Rule 15.34

Chapter 16

STEWARDS

16.13 The Stewards may impose any or all of the following penalties for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing, or for a violation of the Rules:

(a)Refuse an offender admission to the grounds of an Association.

(b)Expel an offender from the grounds of an Association.

(c)Suspend any Commission licensee for any length of time or indefinitely.

(d)Impose whatever fine they feel is suitable and justifiable.

(e)Prohibit any Commission licensee from driving a motor vehicle in the stable area.

(f)Revoke the licence of any Commission licensee when the said licence was obtained fraudulently or under false pretences.

(g)Set limitations for a conditional licence for any licensee or applicant for a new licence

Suggested Change:

16.13   The Stewards may impose any or all of the following penalties for conduct prejudicial to the best interests of racing, or for a violation of the Rules:

(a)Refuse an offender admission to the grounds of an Association.

(b)Expel an offender from the grounds of an Association.

(c)Suspend any Commission licensee for any length of time or indefinitely.

(d)Impose whatever fine they feel is suitable and justifiable.

(e)Prohibit any Commission licensee from driving a motor vehicle in the stable area.

(f) Delete.

(g)Set limitations for a conditional licence for any licensee or applicant for a new licence

Chapter 27

COMMISSION VETERINARIANS, OFFICIAL VETERINARIANS AND OTHER VETERINARIANS

27.08  Commission Veterinarians  or Official Veterinarians shall keep a list to be called the Commission Veterinarians’ or Official Veterinarians’ List (colloquially “the Vets’ List”) upon which shall be entered the name of any horse which any Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian considers unfit, unsound or not ready for racing. When the Stewards order a horse scratched for reasons having to do with the physical condition of the horse, it shall be placed on the Vets’ List. During the time a horse’s name is on such list, it shall not race in Ontario, nor shall it be entered in any race, with the exception of Rule 27.03 (a), except that it may be nominated in a stakes race. Only a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian shall remove a horse’s name from the Vets’ List and shall do so only when, in their opinion, the horse is fit, sound and ready for racing.

Suggested Change:

27.08   Commission Veterinarians  or Official Veterinarians shall keep a list to be called the Commission Veterinarians’ or Official Veterinarians’ List (colloquially “the Vets’ List”) upon which shall be entered the name of any horse which any Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian considers unfit, unsound or not ready for racing. When the Stewards order a horse scratched for reasons having to do with the physical condition of the horse, it shall be placed on the Vets’ List. During the time a horse’s name is on such list, it shall not race in Ontario, nor shall it be entered in any race, except that it may be nominated in a stakes race. Only a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian shall remove a horse’s name from the Vets’ List and shall do so only when, in their opinion, the horse is fit, sound and ready for racing.

 

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

 

John L. Blakney
Executive Director

The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Tuesday, June 26, 2012 resolved that the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2009 be amended by the promulgation of the following Rules, effective immediately.

Chapter 3

RACING ASSOCIATIONS AND ASSOCIATION OFFICIALS

3.04.5  Associations or their delegate shall keep on file, race patrol film or video of each race for reference or reproduction upon request of the Commission for one year after the last racing day of the previous year.

Chapter 9

JOCKEYS

9.27.02  Riding crops shall meet the following specifications and/or requirements:

a)  Be a humane or cushion riding crop, unaltered from original manufacture;

b)  Be no more than 30 inches in length;

c)  Have affixed to the end a padded “popper” which is no shorter than 6.5 inches in              length and not less than 7/8 of an inch in width.   The popper shall consist of two layers sewn down each side with no sewing at the top 1/2 inch of the popper. 

d)  Have a popper with an outer covering consisting of a material approved by the stewards that does not harden over time.  Material such as Vinyl, Naugahyde, or Leather will not be allowed. 

e) ; Have a popper with an inner layer consisting of memory foam or closed cell foam .15 -.25 of an inch in thickness, folded over and sewn down each side, with the outer covering to form a hollow channel. 

f)  Be subject to inspection and approval by the Stewards.

Use of a riding crop in a race where the type of riding crop has not been approved by the Stewards or does not meet the requirements of the rule will lead to disqualification of the horse.

Chapter 18

PLACING JUDGES AND PHOTOFINISH CAMERA

Rule 18.03.02  Delete

Chapter 37

TCO2 TESTING PROGRAM

37.02  Approved TCO2 Laboratory

In any part of Chapter 37, approved TCO2 laboratory means a laboratory approved by the Commission under Rule 37.03, to conduct the testing of thoroughbred horses in accordance with Rule 37.06.

37.03  Laboratory Approval Process

The Commission may approve a laboratory under Rule 37.02, if:

<continued>…..

37.06  Replace (RAHT) - Registered Animal Health Technician with Registered Veterinarian Technician                

 

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

 

John L. Blakney
Executive Director

The Ontario Racing Commission at its meeting of Thursday, December 20, 2012 resolved that the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2012 be amended by the promulgation of the following Rules, effective immediately.

CHAPTER 12

CLAIMING RACES

New Rule 12.13.01  Transfer of possession of a claimed horse to the successful claimant or their representative shall take place in the paddock immediately after the running of the race. The horse’s halter must accompany the horse. Altering or removing the horse’s shoes prior to transfer is not permitted.

New Rule 12.13.02  Notwithstanding the requirements under 12.13.01, in the case where a claimed horse must submit for post race testing, physical custody of the claimed horse shall transfer from the original owner to the successful claimant outside the retention barn following completion of the test and after the sample tags have been signed by the original owner or their representative.

CHAPTER 15

OFFICIAL SAMPLES AND POSITIVE TESTS

Revised Rule 15.03.01 (d)  Only the owner, trainer or designated representative of the trainer, to a maximum of two persons having a valid Commission licence on their person, are permitted to have care, custody or control of a horse in the retention area when any specimen/s are taken from or examination made to a horse under his/her care, and shall remain until the sample tag attached to the specimen shall be signed by him/her as witness to the taking of specimen or the examination is completed. Failure to present the licence may result in a fine and/or suspension

 

BY ORDER OF THE COMMISSION

 

Steve Lehman
Executive Director