2018-2019

THOROUGHDBRED DIRECTIVE NO. 1 -2018- Outcome of Working Group Consultations

Last Updated

Preamble

WHEREAS the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has spent the past year undertaking extensive stakeholder engagement, including consultations with the Officiating Working Group, the Equine Drug Working Group and the Health and Safety Working Group;

AND WHEREAS the consultations resulted in recommendations and favorable support in the Thoroughbred industry for numerous rule revisions;

AND WHEAREAS the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has also taken this opportunity to reflect the current state of industry practice by removing rules which are no longer in use;

TAKE NOTICE that the Registrar hereby orders the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2016 be amended as follows effective April 21, 2018:

Chapter 1
PRELIMINARY

...

1.02.2 The Daily Raoing Form shall be the offioial poriodioal for announoemonts and publioations of the Commission. Deleted.

1.02.3 Any ruling of the Registrar, the Stewards or other racing officials may be published in the Daily Racing Form as soon as the person or persons affected by such ruling have been notified either directly or by mail.

...

Chapter 2
DEFINITIONS

...

Claiming race is a race in which permits any horses starting may to be claimed (purchased for a designated amount) in conformance with the Rules.

...

Chapter 4
LICENSING

...

4.01.06 Unless an owner has a horse's registration papers on file with the Association, their licence shall be invalid and he/she shall on demand forfeit their licence to the Stewards and he/she shall not apply for another owner's licence or for the return of the forfeited owner's licence until he/she has a horse registered with the Association. Deleted.

...

Chapter 6
ENTRIES AND SUBSCRIPTIONS

...

6.11.03 No horse shall be allowed to enter or start in any race if the owner does not maintain a credit balance in his or her horseperson's account satisfactory to the Association.

...

6.36 Any horses running in the same race for owners or trainers who have a direct or indirect association in the racing of thoroughbreds, which in the opinion of the Stewards could be construed as a conflict of interest, shall be coupled as an entry. Deleted.

...

Chapter 9
JOCKEYS

...

9.22 Signed copies of all contracts or first calls between owners and joclrnys or bet\veen trainers and jockeys (including apprentice jockeys) shall be filed by the owners or the trainers, as the case may be, with the Stewards forthwith. The Stewards, after they have
recorded the details of the contracts, shall at once forward the signed copies to the Registrar. Likewise, -.•,hen such contracts are terminated, signed copies of the agreements of termination shall be filed with the Stewards forthwith and the Stewards, after they have
recorded the details of the agreements of termination shall at once forward the signed copies to the Registrar. Deleted.

...

Chapter 11
FROM PADDOCK TO FINISH

...

11.09.05 Any jockey against whom a foul is claimed shall be given the opportunity to appear before the Stewards at the reviewing of the video replays film and/or video tapes of the race in question, or at any other time agreeable to the Stewards, before any penalty
is imposed by them.

...

Chapter 15
MISCONDUCT, NEEDLES, SYRINGES AND SEARCHES

...

15.04.01 Should the Official Chemist's report on urine, blood or other samples taken from a horse be positive, he/she shall immediately notify the Stewards or Registrar and this notification shall be taken as prima facie evidence of a positive test. He/she shall confirm
such findings with the Commission. by special delivery prepaid mail to the Registrar and presiding Steward.

15.04.02.1 When the Registrar or the Stewards receive notification from the Official Chemist that an official sample has been found positive, he/she or they shall, as soon as may be possible, summon the trainer and sush security officers of the Racing Association
as they may choose to assist and inform them that a positive test has occurred.

15.04.02.1 Upon being advised of the positive test the Commission shall notify the trainer or his or her responsible representative as expeditiously as possible.

15.04.02.2 After the Stewards have informed the trainer, or his or her responsible representative of such positive test, a Commission Representative or the Stewards shall direct the security officers and a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian to accompany the trainer or his or her responsible representative, to the stable and, subject to the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, conduct a thorough inspection of the trainer's barn, automobile or any other vehicles associated with the trainer or that he or she may have in his or her possession or under his or her control. Security Officers shall ensure that such vehicles and personal property as they may deem necessary, remain on the baskstrech until the barn inspection is complete. The Stewards or other delegate shall continue the review and/or collecting of information from all persons concerned.

15.04.02.2 Once the Commission has notified the trainer or his or her responsible representative pursuant to Rule 15.04.02.1, the Stewards or Administration may:

  1. inform the trainer that he/she will be permitted to continue with his or her business as trainer,
  2. inform the trainer that he/she has been suspended and that none of the horses in his or her custody or under his or her care and control shall be allowed to start until the matter is considered and disposed of or until the horses have been turned over to another trainer or trainers approved by the Stewards,
  3. place conditions on the trainer's license,
  4. determine the eligibility of the horse.

15.04.02.3 In addition to conducting the above review into a positive test, the Stewards will inform the trainer of the horse having the positive test that pursuant to Rule 15.06.01:

  1. he/she is responsible for the condition of the horse, and
  2. either that:
    1. the stewards are still reviewing the matter or
    2. are now prepared to hear the evidence relating to the positive test.

In the event that either the Stewards or trainer are not prepared to prooeed forthwith, the Stewards shall then:

  1. fix a date and a plaoe when the allegation will be oonsidered and disposed of;
  2. inform the trainer that until that time,
    1. he/she will be permitted to oontinue with his or her business as trainer, or
    2. that he/she has been suspended and that none of the horses in his or her custody or under his or her care and control shall be allowed to start until the matter is considered and disposed of or until the horses have been turned over to another trainer or trainers approved by the Stewards. Deleted.

15.04.02.4 For the purposes of rule 15.04.02.1, 15.04.02.2 and 15.04.02.3, in the absence of the trainer or if said trainer refuses to cooperate he or she may be represented by his or her authorized representative or other qualified employee or an offioer, director or
employee of the HBPA as requested by the Stewards. Notwithstanding the lack of availability of any or all of the above noted persons, the barn search shall continue in their absence. Deleted.

...

15.04.02.6 The Commission shall inform the owner and the Racing Association concerned, as expeditiously as possible, of their actions regarding the matter positive test.

...

15.04.04 Any horse that tests positive in Ontario for any of the following shall be ineligible to race for a period of 90 days from the date of the identification of the horse with the positive test and will be placed on the Stewards' List in accordance with Rule 16.11.01:

  1. Class I;
  2. Class 11;
  3. Class Ill;
  4. TCO2;
  5. Substance determined to be non therapeutic.

Any person who violates this rule shall be subject to a monetary penalty and/or suspension. Deleted.

15.04.05 Any horse that obtains a positive test from a jurisdiction outside Ontario for any of the following shall be ineligible to race in Ontario for a period of 90 days from the date of the identifioation of the horse with the positive test:

  1. Class I;
  2. Class 11;
  3. Class Ill;
  4. TCO2;
  5. Substance determined to be non therapeutic. Deleted.

15.04.06 Rule 15.04.04 and Rule 15.04.05 shall be absolute liability violations. Deleted.

...

15.37 The use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy shall not be permitted on any racehorse unless the following conditions are met:

  1. the treatment took place a minimum of 4 days (96 hours) prior to competing in a race;
  2. the treatment using the Extracorporeal Shook Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine was conduoted by a veterinarian licensed by the Commission as a veterinarian;
  3. any treatment received while on the grounds of the Association was through the use of an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine owned and operated by a veterinarian licensed by the Registrar; and
  4. a record of treatment, inoluding the date and time, is maintained as part of the record of the horse.

15.37 No person, other than a veterinarian licensed by the Commission, shall have or use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy, Radial Pulse Wave Therapy on any racehorse and the following conditions of use must be met:

  1. be used only for a valid diagnostic or therapeutic treatment or procedure:
  2. no treatment or procedure is allowed within 4 days (96 hours) prior to competing in a race: and
  3. any treatment or procedure must be recorded, including the date and time, and maintained as part of the record of the horse.

...

15.39 No person, other than a veterinarian licensed by the Commission, shall have or use a Blood Gas Machine on any racehorse and the following conditions of use must be met:

  1. be used only for a valid diagnostic procedure: and
  2. any treatment or procedure must be recorded, including the date and time, and maintained as part of the record of the horse.

Chapter 16
STEWARDS

...

16.11 The Stewards or Administration may place the name of any horse on the Stewards' List for any reason they may deem to be proper. During the time a horse's name is on such list, it shall not race, nor shall it be entered in any race, except that it may be
nominated in a stakes race. Only the Stewards or Administration shall remove a horse's name from the Stewards' List.

16.11.01 Any horse that tests positive for any of the following shall be remain on the Stewards' List for a period of 90 days from the date of the identifioation of the horse with the positive test:

  1. Glass I;
  2. Glass II;
  3. Glass Ill;
  4. TGO2;
  5. Substanoe determined to be non therapeutic. Deleted.

...

CHAPTER 37 - TCO2 TESTING PROGRAM

37.01 An excess level of total carbon dioxide (TCO2) in a race horse is deemed to be adverse to the best interests of horse racing, and adverse to the best interests of the horse in that such condition alters its normal physiological state. Accordingly, a person designated by an approved TCO2 laboratory may, subject to the Horse Racing Licence Act, 2015, obtain venous blood samples from the jugular vein of a horse for the purpose of the testing of said samples by that laboratory for TCO2 levels as outlined in Rule 37.06.
Where the TCO2 level, based upon such testing, equals or exceeds the following levels, the Stewards or Administration shall order the relief authorized pursuant to Rule 37.07:

  1. Thirty-seven (37) or more millimoles per litre of blood for horses not competing on furosemide; or
  2. Thirty-nine (39) or more millimoles per litre for those horses competing on furosemide at a track where the El PH Program is offered.

...

37.06 Testing Procedures
All horses that race are eligible to be selected by the Stewards for blood gas testing. The entry of a horse shall constitute permission for a person designated by the approved TCO2 laboratory to obtain blood samples. To the extent that it is feasible, the owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse will be given notice that the horse is to be tested and may be present when the blood sample is taken. Refusal by an owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse to attend the taking of the sample will not affect the
validity of the test. Any owner, trainer or other person responsible for the horse who refuses or fails to permit the taking of a sample from a horse shall have all applicable horses scratched by the Stewards or Administration. Such refusal shall be deemed an admission of a violation of Rule 37.01 empowering the Stewards or Administration to take any necessary action in accordance with the Rules. to review the matter whereby the penalties contemplated by 22.38.06 may be imposed. It shall be the responsibility of the trainer of a horse selected for post-race testing to see that the horse is taken directly to the testing barn or retention area immediately after being notified of the horse's selection for testing.

Commission Stewards will select the horses to be tested and advise the approved TCO2 laboratory personnel accordingly. Commission Stewards may also instruct the approved TCO2 laboratory personnel to collect samples from every horse in selected races.
The approved TCO2 laboratory is responsible for:

  1. collecting blood samples, by an authorized person (veterinarian or RVT - Registered Veterinary Technician, or other person approved by the Registrar) from each selected horse into two plasma separator tubes;
  2. collecting the samples within approximately 20 minutes immediately preceding the start of the race in which the selected horse is entered, or as directed by a Commission Judge. The Commission Stewards may also direct the collection of the sample from a selected horse at least 90 minutes after a race in a secured area designated by the Stewards;
  3. ensuring that the samples are centrifuged within approximately 20 minutes of collection and kept under refrigerated conditions until shipped;
  4. shipping the samples to the laboratory in an insulated container;
  5. analysing samples for TCO2 using a Beckman Synchron EL-ISE;
  6. analysing samples within 48 hours, or up to a maximum of 96 hours in exceptional circumstances, of collection and reporting all results to the Commission and the Canadian Pari-Mutuel Agency.

37.07 Penalties
Where the TCO2 level in a horse is determined to equal or exceed the levels set forth in Rule 37.01 above, the Stewards or Administration shall assess penalties in accordance with Policy Directive: Guidelines - Penalties for Equine Drug, TCO2 and Non-Therapeutic
Drug Violations.

...

BY ORDER OF THE REGISTRAR

Jean Major
Registrar

Thoroughbred Directive no. 1 -2019 - Standards-Based Race Day Medication Ban

Last Updated

Preamble

WHEREAS after consulting with the public and industry with respect to proposed rule changes and consistent with the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO)'s movement towards standards-based rules, there was favorable support in the Thoroughbred industry to revise the current rules and implement a ban on race day medication, with exception of Furosemide properly administered in accordance with the Ontario Thoroughbred Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program;

AND WHEREAS this rule is not intended to prohibit normal, non-medicated feedstuffs (natural feed such as oats, sweet feed, pellets, hay and hay cubes) and water, non­ medicated shampoos and topical applications, hoof oils/dressings;

AND WHEREAS this rule will enhance the health and safety of horses and participants, and the integrity of racing;

TAKE NOTICE that the Registrar hereby orders the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing be amended as follows effective April 19, 2019:

Chapter 15: Misconduct, Needles, Syringes And Searches

15.02.08

Subject to Rule§. 15.02.01 above and 15.38, if in an emergency and in the absence of all practicing or Commission Veterinarians or Official Veterinarians from the grounds of the Association conducting racing, it becomes necessary for any reason for the owner, trainer or attendant who has the care and control of a horse, to administer or cause to be administered orally any drug to such horse and, if at the time of such administration the horse has been entered in a race, the said owner, trainer or attendant shall report the matter fully to the Commission Veterinarian or the Official Veterinarian as soon as he/she returns to the grounds, who shall immediately report the incident in writing to the Stewards or any of them as soon as one or more of them comes upon such grounds and the Stewards shall scratch such horse or permit it to run as they may deem proper.

Standards-Based Race Da Medication Ban

15.38 No person shall administer, attempt to administer, or cause to be administered, any medication or substance by a nasogastric tube to a horse on race day prior to its race, except for emergency treatment, which treatment •.viii result in the horse being scratched from the race.

  1. Trainers and veterinarians shall ensure that a horse entered to race is not administered any medications, drugs or substances 24 hours prior to post time of the first race on the day of racing. Furosemide properly administered in accordance with the Ontario Thoroughbred Exercise Induced Pulmonary Haemorrhage (EIPH) Program shall not be considered a violation of Rule 15.38.
  2. Trainers shall ensure that there is no unauthorized contact between horses and veterinarians 24 hours prior to post-time of the first race on the day of racing, with the exception of Official and Commission Veterinarians.
  3. Veterinarians shall not have unauthorized contact with horses 24 hours prior to post-time of the first race on the day of racing. Veterinarians licensed in multiple categories shall be prohibited from acting in the capacity as a veterinarian for a horse entered to race during the 24 hour period.
  4. Should a veterinarian be required to treat a horse entered to race within 24 hours prior to post time of the first race on the day of racing on an emergency basis, the veterinarian and the trainer shall notify a Steward as soon as reasonable in the circumstances and the_horse shall be scratched.
  5. If a horse has raced after unauthorized contact with a veterinarian, the horse shall be disqualified for the race in question and if any purse money was earned it shall be redistributed.
  6. A Steward may order the withdrawal or disqualification of any horse that has been administered any medication contrary to Rule 15.38.

15.06.03 Notwithstanding 15.06.01, the Commission and all delegated officials shall consider the following to be absolute liability violations:

  1. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive for any substances determined to be non-therapeutic;
  2. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from the out-of-competition program;
  3. Any trainer whose horse(s) tests positive resulting from testing in accordance with or under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations;
  4. Any trainer whose horse(s) level of TC02 equals or exceeds the levels set out in Rule 37.01;
  5. Any trainer whose horse(s) is administered a medication, drug or substance contrary to Rule 15.38.

Chapter 27: Commission Veterinarians, Official Veterinarians and Other Veterinarians

27.17 A veterinarian may be held wholly or partially responsible if any drug, substance or medication administered or prescribed by him or her is a cause for:

  1. The issuance of a certificate of positive analysis under the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations under the Criminal Code (Canada),
  2. An excess level of total carbon dioxide for purposes of the Rules, or
  3. The detection of the antibodies of erythropoietin or darbepoetin for purposes of the Rules, or
  4. A violation of Rule 15.38,

and, if held wholly or partially responsible, may be subject to a monetary penalty and/or suspended by the Stewards.

 

BY THE ORDER OF THE REGISTRAR

 

Jean Major
Registrar

THOROUGHBRED DIRECTIVE NO. 2-2019- Revisions to Claiming Provisions

Last Updated

Preamble

WHEREAS after consulting with the public and industry with respect to proposed rule changes there was favorable support in the Thoroughbred industry to revise the current rules to expand instances where claims would be invalidated to include when a horse dies on the racetrack, or suffers an injury which requires euthanasia while on the racetrack.

AND WHEREAS this rule will enhance the health and safety of horses and participants, and the integrity of racing;

TAKE NOTICE that the Registrar hereby orders the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing be amended as follows effective April 20, 2019:

Chapter 12: Claiming Races

12.32.01

The Stewards, at the option of the claimant, shall rule a claim invalid, if:

  1. At the option of the claimant, approved post-race testing procedures discloses that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horse which is reported in the analysis report from the lab. Once the claim has been declared invalid by the Stewards the claimant must request within 72 hours that the horse be returned to the original owner;
  2. The horse dies on the racetrack: or
  3. The horse suffers an injury which requires euthanasia while on the racetrack as determined by either a_Commission Veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian.

BY THE ORDER OF THE REGISTRAR

 

Jean Major
Registrar

THOROUGHBRED DIRECTIVE NO. 4 - 2019 - Revision to Urging Provisions

Last Updated

Preamble

WHEREAS after meeting with industry stakeholders and responding to requests to consider revising the current rules and Directives with respect to urging and specifically that use of the crop be limited to:

  • underhand use only, and
  • no contact with the horse with the crop in the cocked position;

AND WHEREAS this rule will enhance the health and safety of horses and participants, and the integrity of racing;

AND WHEREAS enforcement of the revisions will commence at Woodbine Racetrack on October 18, 2019 and be evaluated throughout the remainder of the 2019 racing season with the aim of the revisions being implemented across all Ontario Thoroughbred racetracks in 2020;

TAKE NOTICE that the revisions shall not apply to Quarter Horse Racing;

AND FURTHER TAKE NOTICE that the Registrar rescinds Policy Directive No. 4-2009 Penalty Guidelines for Inappropriate Urging of a Horse in Thoroughbred Racing and hereby orders the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing be amended commencing October 18 2019:

Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2018

Chapter 9
Jockeys

...

9.27.07  At any time while on the grounds of an Association, it is a violation for a jockey, or rider, or the person in control of the horse, to use the riding crop to hit or make contact with the horse as follows:

  1. To raise their hand(s) above their shoulder; or
  2. To hit another horse; or
  3. To cut or severely welt a horse; or
  4. To hit the horse overhanded; or
  5. To hit the horse with the crop in the cocked position.

9.27.08  Violation of any of the provisions in Rule to 9.27.07 may result in any of the following penalties:

  1. Monetary penalty;
  2. Suspension;
  3. Placement;
  4. Disqualification ; and/or
  5. Any other penalty as ordered .

Further particulars in respect to the penalties are provided in Policy Directive 4 2009 Thoroughbred Directive 4-2019, which also provides principles which serve as a guide for interpretation. The Directive may be modified from time to time by the Registrar.

...

Quarter Horse Appendix

Pari-mutuel Quarter Horse Racing shall be governed by the Rules of Thoroughbred Racing 2018, with the following exceptions:

...

Thoroughbred Directive No. 4 - 2019 - Revision to Urging Provisions, shall not apply to Quarter Horse Racing.

PENALTY GUIDELINES RULE 9.27
Any violation of Rule 9.27.05, 9.27.06 and 9.27.07 is an offence and covered by this penalty structure.

Races with a purse of under $100,000

1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty$200
Minimum Riding Suspension0 days
Other Penalty

Mandatory meeting with the Stewards for the purposes of providing training on the Rules.

 

 

2nd offence within one year of the 1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty$300
Minimum Riding Suspension1 day
Other PenaltyMandatory meeting with the Stewards for the purposes of providing training on the Rules
3rd offence within one year of the 1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty$500
Minimum Riding Suspension3 days
Other PenaltyMandatory meeting with the Stewards for the purposes of providing training on the Rules
4th offence within one year of the 1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty 
Minimum Riding SuspensionImmediate Suspension
Other PenaltyReferral to the Director

OFFENCE - Cutting or Welting the Horse

1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty$300
Minimum Riding Suspension1 day
Other PenaltyMandatory meeting with the Stewards for the purposes of providing training on the Rules
2nd offence within one year of the 1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty$500
Minimum Riding Suspension3 days
Other PenaltyMandatory meeting with the Stewards for the purposes of providing training on the Rules.
3rd offence within one year of the 1st offence
Min Monetary Penalty 
Minimum Riding SuspensionImmediate Suspension
Other PenaltyReferral to the Director
Races with a purse of $100,000 and over
For any offence that takes place in a race where the purse is $100,000 or more, the penalty shall be a minimum monetary penalty of 20% of the jockey's earnings for placings 1st through 5th and shall be a minimum monetary penalty equivalent to 20% of the jockey's earnings for 5th place for placings 6th and on. If in the opinion of the Stewards, the offence was egregious, a riding suspension may be issued. While discretion is available to the Stewards, the riding suspension should be calculated at 1 day riding suspension for each $200,000 of total purse money for the race.
Placing of a horse may be considered by the Stewards where the misuse of the riding crop caused interference with another horse or, in the opinion of the Stewards , there has been a flagrant disregard for these rules.

Application of the Guidelines will take into consideration the following:

  1. This penalty structure provides guidance to Stewards as to minimum penalties for inappropriate urging of the horse, and for the cutting and welting of a horse.
  2. The penalty for any subsequent offence cannot be less than the previous offence, regardless of whether the offence is for inappropriate urging of the horse or for cutting and welting of a horse.
  3. Any cut or welt offence shall be counted and considered by the Stewards as the next offence for inappropriate urging on a cumulative basis.
  4. For races under $100,000, the penalty structure is progressive in nature, irrespective of which of the encompassed rules are violated. For races over $100,000 the penalty is aligned with the purse value of the race
  5. In determining whether a violation of the Rules has occurred or in assessing penalty, Stewards may consider mitigating factors in exceptional circumstances. An example of conduct that may be viewed as a mitigating consideration would be striking a horse to prevent inevitable harm to another rider, horse, participant or patron.
  6. In assessing penalty, Stewards may also consider aggravating factors, such as the licensee's history of violations pertaining to inappropriate urging of the horse (which offence/s occurred more than a year before the subject offence or under a different category).
  7. If the offence is sufficiently egregious, the Stewards may depart from the penalty structure and impose higher penalties than those enumerated in the chart above.

DESCRIPTION OF TERMS

This Policy was established to provide more description of what constitutes an offence under the Rules regarding inappropriate urging of the horse in Ontario racing:

Indiscriminate action means unrestrained or careless activity without regard for safety or care.

For the purposes of Rule 9.27.05 (a), the following are examples of indiscriminate action but do not constitute an exhaustive list:

  1. Use of the riding crop during the post parade or after the wire, except when necessary to control the horse;
  2. Striking the horse with the butt end of the riding crop;
  3. Hitting the horse with the riding crop in an area other than the shoulders or hind quarters;
  4. Punching the horse;
  5. Hitting the horse with the riding crop overhanded;
  6. Hitting the horse with the riding crop in the cocked position.

Excessive action means unreasonable quantity or degree.

For the purposes of Rule 9.27.05 (b), the following are examples of excessive action with respect to inappropriate urging of the horse but does not constitute an exhaustive list:

  1. Use of the riding crop when a horse is not in contention in a race;
  2. Use of the riding crop more than 3 times in a row without giving the horse time to respond

Aggressive action means inhumane, severe or brutal activity

For the purposes of Rule 9.27.05 (c), the following are examples of aggressive action but do not constitute an exhaustive list:

  1. Use of the riding crop on the head, or in the area surrounding the head of the horse;
  2. Use of the riding crop on the belly, or in the area surrounding the belly of the horse;
  3. Use of any object or stimulating device and/or application; or
  4. Leaving any cuts, abrasions or severe welts on the horse caused by the riding crop;

Meaningful Position (9.27.06) means the horse has a reasonable opportunity to finish in an advantageous position. Examples of meaningful include, but are not limited to, maintaining times, receiving points towards future races or earning purse monies

Giving the horse a chance to respond (9.27.05 Excessive Action) means limiting the number of strikes applied to a horse in succession, in order to give the horse a chance to respond to the application. The rule requires that riding crop use shall not be continued if the horse is unable to respond or does not respond. The skill of the jockey comes in to play in assessing the horse's ability to continue to respond. The riding crop is one of a number of tools available to the jockey to encourage the horse forward, weight, voice and hand riding being others.

BACKGROUND

Under a process established by the Executive Director in the fall of 2008 to gather industry input on the appropriate use of the riding crop in horse racing, it was recognized that the use of the riding crop is a necessary tool in racing.

The following principles were agreed to and serve as a guide for all decision making on rule development:

  1. Ensure the welfare of the horse
    The welfare of the horse is paramount and guides decision making in all matters.
  2. Promote safety for racing participants (including the horse)
    Where the safety of racing participants has been compromised, appropriate action shall be taken.
  3. Create simple, clear and consistent rules
    To be adhered to, rules must be written and communicated in a straightforward manner.
  4. Address customer/public perception and education
    Shifting public sensitivity on the use of the riding crop in horseracing must be recognized by all industry participants, who must also do their part in educating new fans about the sport.
  5. Support growth of the customer base
    Racetrack management has identified use of the riding crop as a barrier to increased customer growth. Participants must be involved, as our industry builds to creating a more desirable product

The outcome of the industry discussion has led to the revision of rules regarding the appropriate methods for urging a horse in racing.

 

BY THE ORDER OF THE REGISTRAR

 

Jean Major
Registrar