Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has an interest in the welfare of all Standardbred horses in the Victorian harness racing industry and an obvious threat to the horse population are contractible equine diseases and conditions. These include all ‘notifiable equine diseases’ specified by Agriculture Victoria, some of which may result in the illness or unexpected death of affected horses.
Further information in relation to this notice is to be provided to assist Victorian industry participants in the near future, however in the interim participants are nonetheless reminded to be acutely aware of the relevant Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR):
AHRR 90A (2.10)
a) A trainer is at all times responsible for the care, control and supervision of the horses in his stables.
b) A trainer is at all times responsible for the administration and conduct of his stables.
AHRR 96A (4) The owner, or trainer of the horse at the time of its death shall:-
(a) In the case of a horse which dies within 14 days of being entered for or participating in a trial or race notify the Controlling Body of the death within 24 hours of its occurrence.
(b) In any other case notify the Controlling Body of the death within 28 days of its occurrence.
(5) A notification of death under sub rule (4) shall be in writing or such other form as the Controlling Body 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) shall not dispose of the carcass without the permission of the Stewards or the Controlling Body.
(9) Where notification has been given in accordance with sub-rule (3) the horse will cease to be registered and 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 on Form R25-A.
AHRR 104
(1) If a horse contracts or is suffering any contagious disease or condition specified by the Controlling Body, the connections of the horse must immediately and in any event within 24 hours of the horse being diagnosed as suffering from the disease or condition, notify the Controlling Body in writing of that fact.
(2) A person who fails to comply with sub rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
(3) The Controlling Body may take such action with regard to the horse as it may determine.
(4) Action under sub rule (3) may include ordering the destruction of the horse.
Participants in the Victorian harness racing industry seeking any further information in relation to this notice are encouraged to contact the HRV Integrity Department on (03) 8378 0200 or seek advice from a veterinarian.
Relevant Links:
Australian Harness Racing Rules
Form R25A / Notification of Deregistration or Death of a Standardbred
Agriculture Victoria – Diseases of Horses Notifiable in Victoria
