Trainers and owners are reminded of their obligations under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 96A(3) to ensure that horses that have been retired from racing must, within one month of a horse’s retirement, notify Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) by lodging ‘Form R25A / Notification of Deregistration or Death of a Standardbred’ with the Registration Department.
Under AHRR 96A(10), a trainer and/or owner who fails to notify HRV of a horse’s retirement is guilty of an offence.
AHRR 96A, reads:
3. Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse, the owner or trainer of the horse at the time of its retirement must, with one month of the horse’s retirement, notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant form prescribed by the Registrar.
The importance of providing this information for currently active horses is reflected in the penalties for non-compliance which were set at a minimum fine of $500 per offence, which was publicised by Harness Racing Australia (HRA) on 18 May 2016. From 1 January 2019, a minimum fine of $500 will be imposed by HRV Stewards on any trainer or owner found to be in breach AHRR 96A(3).
On 2 March 2018, HRA issued a reminder to connections of horses of their responsibilities under the AHRR and also highlighted the importance of the traceability of horses throughout their lifecycle.
For any questions about this information, please contact the Harness Racing Victoria Integrity Department on (03) 8378 0292.
