Harness Racing Australia (HRA) will bring in amendments to its rules from 1 April. To see how these changes affect you as an owner, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has summarised the amendments below.

 

Changes that affect owners

  • Horse location
  • Retirement or death of horse
  • Inactive horse
  • Traceability
  • Medical and surgical procedures
  • Ownership, legal interests, leases

 

Part 3 of HRA Rules MEETINGS AND RACES

Change of Horse Location – Owner Obligations

• New heading

• Add new Rule 25C(1)(a), (b), (2)(a), (b)

25C. (1) The managing owner of a horse must, unless otherwise contained in a Stable Return lodged by a trainer in accordance with these rules, disclose:

(a) any change in the previously notified location of the horse within 24 hours of the day on which that change is made, by notifying the Stewards or Controlling Body in such manner or form as may be determined by the Controlling Body; and

(b) the location of the horse upon request by the Controlling Body, including as required under any registration, transfer of ownership, or other form.

(2) The requirement referred to in sub-rule (1)(a) does not apply where the named horse is in the care of a trainer and the managing owner proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards that he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of:

(a) the change in the previously notified location of the horse; or

(b) the trainer’s non-compliance with his or her obligations under this rule.

 

Part 5 of HRA Rules HORSES

Retirement and Death of a Horse

• Change heading - Deregistration of a Horse to Retirement and Death of a Horse

• Repeal Rule 96A(4)(a), (b), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)

• Repeal Rule 96B

• See Stud Book Regulations 11

96A. (4) The owner or trainer of a registered horse at the time of its death shall:-

(a) In the case of a horse which dies whilst in the care of a licensed trainer immediately notify the Stewards of the death.

(b) In any other case notify HRA and the Controlling Body or Stewards of the death within twenty four hours of its occurrence.

(5) A notification of death under sub-rule (4) shall be in writing or such other form as the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine.

(6) The person in possession of the dead horse’s registration certificate shall within 7 days of such notification return the certificate to the Controlling Body.

(7) The owner or trainer shall comply with any direction given by the Stewards or the Controlling Body to verify the death.

(8) The owner or trainer of a horse whose death has been notified, or which should have been notified, under sub-rule (4)(a) shall not dispose of the carcass without the permission of the Stewards or the Controlling Body.

(9) Where notification of retirement of racing has been given to the Registrar as provided by the SBR the horse is ineligible to race unless it is re-registered.

(10) A person who fails to comply with this rule is guilty of an offence.

96B. Notification of deregistration or death shall be given to the Controlling Body or Stewards on Form R25-A.

 

Horse Retired to Industry Participant

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96C(1)(a), (b), (c), (2)(a), (b), (c), (d), (3)(a)(i), (ii), (b), (4)

96C. (1) This rule applies where:

(a) a horse is retired from racing in accordance with SBR 11 or a decision is made not to commence racing the horse (for the purposes of this rule, “retired racehorse”);

(b) the retired racehorse is not registered for breeding; and

(c) the person responsible for the retired racehorse is licensed or registered under the Rules (for the purposes of this rule, “responsible person”).

(2) During the period in which the responsible person is responsible for the care of the retired racehorse, within 7 days of any of the following occurring that person must notify the Controlling Body by lodging the relevant prescribed form;

(a) the transfer of the retired racehorse to any other person;

(b) the change of the retired racehorse’s location;

(c) the decision to retire the retired racehorse from any post-racing career, including but not limited to equestrian pursuits; or

d) the death of the retired racehorse.

(3) A person is not required to comply with sub-rule (2)(b) if:

(a) the retired racehorse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 30 days and during that period the horse is:

(i) located at a veterinary clinic, or under the direct care of a veterinary clinic; or

(ii) under the direct care of a qualified veterinary surgeon, for the purpose of obtaining treatment from a qualified veterinary surgeon; or

(b) the retired racehorse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 7 days for the purpose of being offered for sale at a physical public auction.

(4) A person who fails to comply with this rule is guilty of an offence.

 

Status Update for Inactive Horse

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96D(1)(a), (b), (c), (2), (3), (4)

96D. (1) Within seven days of a horse not having been the subject of any activity for a period of six consecutive months, the connections must by lodging a Stable Return where applicable or giving notice in such manner or form as determined by the Controlling Body notify the Controlling Body of the following matters;

(a) the current status of the horse;

(b) the location of the horse; and

(c) any other matters in respect of which a notification should have been made under any rule in that six-month period.

(2) Prior to the horse reaching the six-month period of inactivity referred to in sub-rule (1), the Controlling Body will notify the connections of the upcoming notification requirement.

(3) For the purposes of this rule, “activity” includes but is not limited to the lodgement or notification of a Stable Return, nomination, scratching, transfer of ownership, change of location, retirement from racing, or death.

(4) A person who fails to comply with this rule is guilty of an offence.

 

Breach of Traceability Rules

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96E(1), (2)(a), (b), (c)

96E. (1) If a person provides any false or misleading information in respect of any form lodged or notification as required by Rules SBR11, SBR12, 96C and 96D, the person may be penalised.

(2) If a person fails to lodge any document or provide any notification as required by Rules SBR11, SBR12, 96C and 96D, the Controlling Body may:

(a) restrict that person or any relevant horse from participating in the Standardbred racing and breeding industry; and/or

(b) restrict the payment (including payments under bonus schemes) or awarding of any prize to that person, until the relevant form has been properly lodged or the relevant notification has been properly made; and/or

(c) may refuse to accept any future Mare Return, Stallion Return or Declaration of Service (as applicable) from the relevant person or in respect of the relevant horse.

 

Medical and surgical procedures

• Amend Rule 99A(2)

99A. (2) For the purposes of this rule blistering means the application or injection of an irritating substance onto or into soft tissue of a horse to create an inflammatory reaction which results in the vesiculation of the skin and/or underlying tissues.

 

Ownership, legal interests, leases

• Repeal Rule 109A

• Repeal Rule 110A(1), (2)

• Repeal Rule 111A

109A. Notification of a lease shall be given on form R109-A. 110A.

(1) Notification of surrender or other termination of a lease shall be made on form R110-A.

(2) Notification of extension of lease shall be made on form R109-A.

111A. An application under rule 111 shall be made on form R111-A.

• Amend Rule 111(2)(a), (b)

111. (2) All transfers of ownership of a named horse must be lodged with the Controlling Body by both the outgoing owners and the incoming owners:

(a) within 7 days of each transfer taking place; or

(b) at least 24 hours before the horse is entered for a race, whichever is earlier.