The Australian Standardbred population of horses is managed through a national Stud Book.   Eligible foals are allocated a unique number. These numbers are permanently imprinted on each horse with a freezebrand soon after birth. 

The Keeper of the Stud Book receives confirmation of the registration of foals through the Registrars in each State. 

The Australian Trotting Stud Book is covered by Regulations Governing the Entry of Sires, Dams & Progeny with:   Regulations 1-11, Schedule A - Stud Book, Schedule B - Allocation of Names, Schedule C - Additional Subscriptions (Fees & Charges).   

Regulations Governing The Entry Of Sires, Dams & Progeny
Effective Implementation Date:  1st November 1999

REGULATIONS 1 - 11

In the interpretation of these Regulations the following words shall mean:-

"Artificial breeding" means artificial breeding as defined by Australian Harness Racing Rule 281.

"Australian Harness Racing Council" or "Council" means the Australian Harness Racing Council as defined by the Australian Harness Racing Rules.

"Breeder":   (a)   In the case of a foal which is the result of an embryo transfer, the registered owner or lessee of the donor mare at the time the embryo is flushed from such donor mare and impregnated into a recipient mare.

 (b)   In all other cases, the registered owner or lessee of the dam at the time of foaling. (definition amended - HRA approved 25th August 2008)

"Foreign horse" means a horse foaled outside Australia.

"Keeper of the Stud Book" is the person appointed by the Australian Harness Racing Council to keep records of sires, mares and foalings and to publish annual editions of the Stud Book in accordance with the Australian Harness Racing Council Rules of Association and these Regulations.

"Registrar" is the person appointed by the Australian Harness Racing Council to supervise the allocation of names in accordance with these Regulations.

"Standardbred" when used with reference to a horse means a horse which is the progeny of a registered sire and registered dam.

Stud Book Regulation 2

"The Australian Trotting Stud Book" shall be regulated by the Council through the Keeper of the Stud Book who shall keep such records in such format as is necessary to produce an annual Stud Book. The information contained in each annual Stud Book will comprise a record of all standardbreds active in breeding and racing and all horses named subsequent to the publication of the previous Stud Book together with such information and records as may be deemed desirable and as contained in Schedule A".

Stud Book Regulation 3

A Member of Council shall not permit any horse to participate in any breeding or racing activities in its jurisdiction unless and until it has a name approved by the Registrar of Names in accordance with the provisions for the naming of horses as contained in Schedule B.

A horse shall not be eligible for registration and naming unless:-

(a)     It is the progeny of a standardbred sire and dam named and registered in accordance with the Rules and these Regulations, and

(b)    It is freeze branded or otherwise identified by a method approved by Council, and

(c)     A blood sample or other bodily sample has been taken for blood typing or D.N.A. genotyping at an approved laboratory and the results thereof are lodged with the Council, and

(d)     It is progeny that conforms to the following genetic principles:-

(i)     Chestnut colouration is recessive to all other colours and therefore any progeny that is not chestnut from a chestnut to chestnut mating is not eligible for registration;

(ii)     Grey colouration is dominant in relation to all the basic colours and therefore any progeny that is grey is not eligible for registration unless at least one of its parents is also grey.

Notwithstanding sub-clauses (i) and (ii) such progeny will be eligible for registration in the event that blood typing and/or D.N.A. genotyping establishes to the satisfaction of the Council that the horse in dispute is the progeny of the said sire and dam.

Stud Book Regulation 5

(a)    A horse shall not be eligible for naming if the foaling of such horse has been notified after it attains the age of one year unless such horse’s parentage has been verified by blood typing tests or D.N.A. genotyping at an approved blood typing laboratory.

(b)     A horse shall not be eligible for naming if the foaling of such horse is notified after it attains the age of two years, except where an injustice would occur and the approval of registration has been recommended by a Member of Council.

Stud Book Regulation 6

The published record or details of any standardbred begotten by "artificial breeding" shall not be made distinctive by a mark or sign or by any method in any way which indicates it was begotten by "artificial breeding".

Stud Book Regulation 7

The provisions of Regulations 5 and 6 shall apply to any foreign horse.

Stud Book Regulation 8

(a)     A foreign horse shall not be eligible for registration in Australia until such time as:-

        (i) The Australian Harness Racing Council receives a clearance or export certificate from the country in which such foreign horse was last registered, and

        (ii) The appropriate import clearance fee is paid, and

        (iii) It is freeze branded with a freeze branding code or identified in some other manner approved by Council.

        Provided That the Council may exempt foreign horses from the necessity of freeze branding:-

        (1) If such foreign horse is imported for racing purposes and the Council is satisfied that such horse will be subsequently exported back to the country of origin; OR

        (2) Such foreign horse bears a legible lip tattoo.

(b) A foreign horse shall be eligible for racing in Australia provided such horse:-

        (i) Is registered with the controlling trotting authority of the country they were exported from;

        (ii) Is a standardbred;

        (iii) Has been parentage verified by blood typing or DNA genotyping.

The owner of a foreign horse which is imported for racing purposes is eligible for a full refund of any import fee if such horse leaves Australia within twelve weeks of arrival.

Stud Book Regulation 10

A sire or dam or their progeny shall not be eligible for any National Award unless it is named and registered in accordance with the Rules and these Regulations".

Stud Book Regulation 11

In the event of any breach of these Regulations the Council may direct that any sire, dam or their progeny be ineligible for either naming or entry in the Stud Book, or set down conditions or require undertakings before a specific horse is named or before a sire, dam or their progeny are entered in the Stud Book.

The Australian Trotting Stud Book will consist of the following tables and the Council may add such additional tables and/or information in its discretion.

Table 1 - Sires

This part shall comprise standardbred sires that have sired progeny or winners subsequent to the publication of the previous Stud Book.

The entry therein shall include a distinctive number, best racing or time trial performance, colour, year of foaling and pedigree to second generation and the breeder’s name and the State of domicile.

The entry shall also include a list of the names of mares that have produced to the sire concerned together with an annual updated list of winners and their best performances.

Qualifying Trial times shall not be recognised.

This section shall include all those stallions to be used at Stud from North America and Europe and its purpose is to record the breeding of sires and dams in the stallions' pedigrees which are not otherwise chronicled in the Stud Book.

Table 2 - Dams

All standardbred mares producing a foal to a standardbred sire or having a previously notified foal named or having produced with new or reduced time performance or increased stakemoney subsequent to the publication of the previous Stud Book shall be automatically entered in the next following Stud Book.

The mare's entry will parallel that of a sire's entry and the breeders name of such of her foals will also be recorded.

Qualifying Trial times shall not be recognised.

Table 3 - Index To Registrations

All horses whose names have been issued and/or approved by the Registrar since the publication of the previous Stud Book shall be entered in the next published Stud Book in the table called Index to Registrations. The entry shall include the allotted name, colour/sex, year of foaling and the breeding thereof. All such approved names shall also be entered against the dams record of foalings.

Winning performances in a race and against time endorsed by Council shall be the only time performances recorded in the Stud Book. Times for races less than a mile shall not be recorded. 

The style, form, layout of the Stud Book shall be at the general discretion of the Keeper of the Stud Book.
 

1.  The Registrar shall allocate the first available name of any list of names submitted by a Member of Council after having first eliminated:-

(a)  Any existing names of trotting or pacing horses appearing on the Australian name register or the name of any past renowned racetrack performer as identified in the Name Protection Guidelines or as a winner of a race specified in the Australian Harness Racing Chronicles. (Reg 1(a) amended - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(b)  Any name having political, religious, commercial or sacred significance or that is other wise inappropriate.

(c)  Any name of indecent, undignified or irreverent character in English or any other language. (Reg 1(c) amended - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(d)  Any name having single initials or numerals, either as a whole name or used as a part of the name with the exception of the letter "A" or "I" (imported horses excepted).

(e)  Any name likely to cause confusion by reason that it sounds or reads the same as an existing name.

(f)  Any name of a known living or dead person the naming of which would be objectionable.

(g)  Any name of an Institution or Organisation, or any name which does or may infringe trademark or copyright.  (Reg 1(g) amended - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(h)  Any name the reverse of which is the name of a horse currently racing.

(i)  Any name likely to cause confusion in breeding records by reason that it is the duplicate of a name prominent in breeding or racing outside Australia.

(j)  The name of any Sire or Dam in the Australian Trotting Stud Book. (Reg 1(j) added - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(k)  Any name more than eighteen letters in length (including spaces).  (Reg 1(j) renumbered 1(k) - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

2.  If all names on a list are eliminated the Registrar shall call for a new list to be submitted.  The Registrar cannot issue a previously issued name.  (Reg 2 amended - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(a)  The existing name does not duplicate the name of a Stud Book sire or dam of recent times.  (Reg 2(a) moved to 1(j) - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(b)  The existing name is not the name of a Renowned racetrack performer featuring as a winner of a race specified in the Australian Harness Racing Chronicles. 

In all cases where this Rule is applied the horse of the existing name shall have last raced fifteen years before the new allocation or if the horse of the existing name did not race then fifteen years from the date of allocation.  (click here for Protected Names List).     (Reg 2(b) repealed - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

3.  The Registrar shall refuse to allocate a name to any horse unless:-

(a)  It is submitted through any of the Controlling Bodies.

(b)  It is the progeny of standardbred sire and dam.

4.  The Controlling Body of each State will:-

(a)  Have incorporated on its standard name application form an acknowledgement and acceptance by the owner of the horse of complete legal liability should a name be submitted and name be allocated which infringes any trade mark or copyright.  (Reg 4(a) amended - AHRC approved 19th November 2004)

(b)  Have incorporated on its standard name application form advice to the effect that not more than three (3) of the names submitted shall be combinations of either the whole or part of names of the sire and dam.

(c)  Ensure that the name of a foreign horse is submitted to the Registrar for verification and recording and the Registrar shall advise the Controlling Body that the name is available or otherwise.

5.  (a)  A foreign horse shall be allotted its existing name and in addition shall have a suffix added to its name to denote the country of origin.

(b)   The suffix to be added to the name shall be as follows:-

        New Zealand NZ
        United States USA
        Canada CA
        Europe (Inc. U.K.) EU

(c)  The Registrar may in extenuating circumstances allow a new name, however, in such case where a name is changed the suffix applicable shall be added to the new name.

6.  (a)  Subject to sub-regulation (b) a name allotted by the Registrar shall not be changed in any circumstances unless it can be shown by the Registrar or by the Controlling Body that there is good and just cause.

(b)  The purchaser of a horse that has been allocated a name by the Registrar shall upon payment of the prescribed fee be permitted to change the name provided the horse has not competed in an official trial and the change is made before the 30^th June in its yearling season.

7.  If any matter arises that is not specifically covered by these Regulations then the Registrar may allow a name or a new name but shall report the circumstances to Council at the first opportunity for policy determination.

8.  The Australian Harness Racing Council may approve a change of name of a foreign horse provided such horse has never raced in Australia. Each such application shall be treated on its merits and shall be accompanied by the relevant fee.

9.  The Registrar may correct any misspelt or incorrect renderings of a word or phrase.

10.  Apostrophes and dots between initials shall be eliminated.

11.  The Registrar of a Controlling Body submitting a list of names shall have the right to delete a name or names prior to the submission of such list to the Registrar. However, a name once allotted shall not be changed unless it is in accordance with Rules 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.

12.  The Registrar shall have the authority to order a change of name wherever such a name is deemed necessary to comply with the context of these Rules.

Harness Racing Australia Inc in its various roles for our industry now charges a range of fees either separately or bundled in with the State Controlling Bodies for a particular service, in respect of Council's publication, administrative and invoicing work undertaken.  These transactional fees amount to a significant number and amount to millions of dollars on behalf of HRA and its Members for our Industry Participants.

Fees and charges are listed below in Schedule C for your information.  Full details of each State's fees are listed in their monthly magazines.

Schedule C - Effective Implementation Date:  1st September 2008