Age

92.  (1)  Save and except for sub-rule (2), provided that the service date of the foal is on or after 1st September the age of a horse shall be reckoned as beginning on 1st January in the next but one racing year. 

(2)  If a horse is foaled in New Zealand between 1st August and 31st August inclusive its age shall be reckoned as beginning on 1st January in the next but one racing year.

Eligibility for registration and naming

93.  (1)  A horse shall not be eligible for registration unless:

(a)  It is the progeny of a registered Standardbred sire and a registered Standardbred mare and its registration conforms with these rules.

(b)  It is microchipped in accordance with HRA’s Microchipping Regulations, freezebranded or otherwise identified by a method approved by HRA.

(c)  It has been parentage verified by D.N.A. genotyping at a laboratory approved by HRA. 

(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 usually 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 HRA that the horse in dispute is the progeny of the said sire and dam.

(2)  Save and except for embryo transfer or some other procedure approved by the Controlling Body a horse shall not be eligible for naming and/or registration and entry in the Stud Book if it is the produce of genetic engineering procedures including but not limited to cloning, embryo freezing or oocyte collection.

(3)  The progeny of a mare inseminated by transported semen shall not be eligible for naming and/or registration and entry in the Stud Book unless all steps taken to bring that progeny into being have been in accordance with these rules.

(4)  The Controlling Body shall not register a horse foaled outside its jurisdiction unless the horse is eligible for registration in an Australian State or Territory or its place of foaling.

(5)  A person seeking registration shall pay to the Controlling Body such fees relating to identification as it may determine.

(6)  The connections shall keep clipped that area of a horse’s body adjacent to or surrounding its brand.

(7)  In the event of the identification of a horse becoming indistinct, illegible or otherwise unsatisfactory to the Controlling Body, the connections shall comply with any directions given by the Controlling Body to rectify the matter.

(8)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (6) or a direction given under sub-rule (7) is guilty of an offence.

(9)  Where a person is guilty of an offence under this rule, the Controlling Body may take such action with regard to the horse as it may determine.

94.  (1)  A horse shall not be eligible for naming unless:

(a)  the horse has been registered in accordance with Rule 93.

(b)  the name is submitted through the Controlling Body.

(2)  A Controlling Body 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.

(3)  Each State Controlling Body shall 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 trademark or copyright.

(4)  A Controlling Body may delete a name or names before the list of names is submitted to the Registrar.

(5)  (a)  The Registrar shall allocate the first available name on the list of names submitted by a Controlling Body after having first eliminated the following:

             (i)  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 Protected Name Lists – Renowned Winners and Oaks / Derby Winners or as a winner of a race specified in the Harness Racing Australia Racing Chronicles.

             (ii)  Any name having political, religious, sacred or commercial significance or that is otherwise inappropriate.

             (iii)  Any name of indecent, undignified or irreverent character in English or any other language.

             (iv)  Any name having single initials or numerals, either as a whole name or used as a part of a name with the exception of the letter ‘’A” or “I” (overseas horses excepted).

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

             (vi)  Any name of a well known living or dead person the naming of which would be objectionable to the persons concerned, to relatives or to others in general.  Names of well-known persons, living or dead are acceptable if written permission has been obtained from either the person (if they are living) or from the family (if they are deceased).  The naming applicant is responsible for obtaining written permission.

             (vii)  Any name of an Australian Institution or Organisation, or any name which does or may infringe trademark or copyright. (Including songs, movies, books & TV shows).

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

             (ix)  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.

             (x)  The name of any Sire or Dam in the Australian Trotting Stud Book.

             (xi)  Any name more than eighteen letters in length (including spaces).

             (xii)  Any name in any other language than English where the meaning cannot be proven.

             (xiii)  Any name that is difficult to pronounce in English or any other language.

(b)  The following are not permitted to be used in a name:-

(i)  Apostrophes, full stops, dashes, characters, numbers and symbols – eg, hyphens (-), acutes (é), circumflexes (ê), cedilla (ç), graves (è), umlauts (ä), etc.

(ii)  Abbreviations such as Mr, Mrs, Ms, Dr .  The words must be spelt out in full.

(c)  The Registrar may correct any misspelt or incorrect renderings of a word or phrase.

(d)  Names submitted using part or all of the Sire and / or Dam name should be spelt the same as the Sire and / or Dam name.

(e)  If all names on a list are eliminated the Registrar shall call for a new list to be submitted.

(6)  (a)  Subject to paragraphs (b), (c) and (d), a name once allocated by the Registrar shall not be changed.

(b)  The owner of a yearling that has been allocated a name by the Registrar shall upon payment of the prescribed fee(s) be permitted to change the name provided the horse has not competed in an official trial, race or bred and the change is made before the end if its yearling season.  Any cancelled name will be made available for re-use after 12 months.

(c)  The owner of a horse 2 years old or older that has been allocated a name by the Registrar shall upon payment of the prescribed fee(s) be permitted to change the name provided the horse has not competed in an official trial or race or has not bred.  Any cancelled name will be made available for re-use after 12 months.

(d)  The owner of a horse 2YO or older that has been allocated a name by the Registrar and has competed in an official trial in any country can apply to change the horse's name by submitting an application in writing to the Registrar outlining reasons for wanting the change.  The application will be considered by the Keeper of the Stud Book and the Registrar, and if approved, will require payment of the prescribed fee(s).  Any cancelled name will be made available for re-use after 12 months.

 94A.  (1)  This rule applies to all horses which are eligible to be registered under these Rules but have not yet been registered. 

(2)  The Stewards or other official appointed by the Controlling Body may, at any time, direct that a horse be produced to provide a sample to be analysed to determine whether any anabolic androgenic steroid is present in the system of the horse.

(3)  Where a horse is not produced to provide a sample as directed pursuant to Rule 94A(2) that horse is ineligible to start in any race:

(a)  until at least 12 months after the latter of:

      (i)  the date on which the horse, having been registered under these Rules, is allowed to start in a race; and

      (ii)  the date on which the horse is in fact produced to provide a sample to be analysed to determine whether any anabolic androgenic steroid is present in the system of the horse; and

(b)  only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse, such sample having been taken at a date determined by the Stewards.

(4)  Where a sample taken at any time from a horse has detected in it an anabolic androgenic steroid (other than an anabolic androgenic steroid which is present at or below the relevant concentrations set out in Rule 188A(2)), that horse is ineligible to start in any race:

(a)  until at least 12 months after the latter of:

      (i)  the date on which the horse, having been registered under these Rules, is allowed to start in a race; and

      (ii)  the date the relevant sample was taken; and

(b)  only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse, such sample having been taken at a date determined by the Stewards.

(5)  Any person must, when directed by the Stewards or other person authorised by the Controlling Body, produce, or otherwise give full access to, the horse so that the Stewards or other person authorised by the Controlling Body may take or cause a sample to be taken and analysed to determine whether any anabolic androgenic steroid is present in the system of the horse.

(6)   For the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, sub-rule (5) requires an owner, lessee, nominator and/or trainer to produce the horse, or otherwise give full access to the horse, even if the horse is:

(a)  under the care or control of another person; and/or

(b)  located at the property of another person.

(7)  Any person who fails to produce, or give full access to, a horse to provide a sample as required by sub-rule (5) is guilty of an offence.

Naming and registration

95.  (1)  A person desiring to register a horse may make application to the Controlling Body.

(2)  A person desiring to name a horse may make application to the Controlling Body.

(3)  An application under this rule is to be made in the manner and form and be accompanied by such documentation, information and fees as the Controlling Body may determine.

(4)  A person making application to name a horse shall ensure that all proposed names comply with Rules 93 and 94.

(5)  Application to name or register a horse shall be made on form R95-A.

(6)  The Controlling Body may grant or refuse an application under this rule.

(7)  The Controlling Body may cancel the registration of a horse.

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

Foreign horses

95A.  (1)  A foreign horse shall be eligible for registration in Australia provided such horse:

(a)  Is registered with the controlling trotting authority of the country it was cleared from; and

(b)  Is a Standardbred; and

(c)  Has been parentage verified by D.N.A. genotyping or blood typing.

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

(a)  HRA receives a clearance certificate from the country in which such foreign horse was last registered, and

(b)  The appropriate clearance registration fee is paid, and

(c)  It is microchipped in accordance with HRA’s Microchipping Regulations, freezebranded or otherwise identified by a method approved by HRA.

(3)  Upon the receipt of a Clearance Certificate a foreign bred horse shall be allocated its existing name and in addition shall have a suffix added to its name to denote the country of origin.

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

(5)  The name of a foreign horse will be checked by the Registrar for verification and recording and the Registrar shall advise the Controlling Body that the name is available or otherwise.

(6)  If the name is not available then a prefix will be applied, and under certain circumstances a new name may be requested by the Registrar.  In such case where a name is changed the suffix applicable shall be added to the new name.

(7)  If the name of a foreign horse is of a well known living or deceased Australian person, permission must be obtained by HRA from either the person (if they are living) or from the family (if they are deceased) to allow the name in Australia.  Otherwise a name change may be requested by the Registrar.

(8)  The owner of a yearling bred outside Australia shall upon payment of the prescribed fee(s) be permitted to change the name provided the horse has not competed in an official trial or race either in Australia or Overseas, has not bred and the change is made before the end of its yearling season in Australia.

(9)  The owner of a horse 2 years old or older bred outside Australia shall upon payment of the prescribed fee(s) be permitted to change the name provided that horse has not competed in an official trial or race either in Australia or overseas, or has not bred.

(10)  The owner of a horse 2YO or older bred outside Australia that has been allocated a name and has competed in an official trial in any country can apply to change the name by submitting an application in writing to the Registrar outlining reasons for wanting to make the change.  The application will be considered by the Keeper of the Stud Book and the Registrar, and if approved, will require payment of the prescribed fee(s).  Any cancelled name will be made available for re-use after 12 months.

(11)  Apostrophes, dashes and dots which are part of a foreign horse name will be eliminated.

95AB.  (1)  If any matter that is not specifically covered by these rules arises the Registrar may allow a name or a new name.

(2)  The Registrar may order a change of name wherever such change is deemed necessary to comply with the context of these rules.

Registration certificate

96. (1)  When a horse is named and registered the Controlling Body shall issue a registration certificate.

(3)  The registration certificate shall at all times be in possession of the trainer or other person in charge of the horse from time to time.

(4)  The Controlling Body may substitute some other document or record for a registration certificate and the rules relating to such certificates shall then be read accordingly.

(5)  The person who is required under this rule to have possession of the registration certificate shall produce same to the Controlling Body or Stewards on demand.

deregistration of a horse

96A.   (1)  The Controlling Body may on application made by the owner of a horse withdraw the registration certificate of the horse. 

(2)  A horse which has its registration certificate withdrawn shall not be issued with another registration certificate without the written consent of the owner who applied for the withdrawal of the original registration certificate. 

(3)  (a)  Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse, the owner of the horse at the time of its retirement must, within one month of the horse’s retirement, notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant form prescribed by the Registrar.

(b)  Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse but retain it for the purposes of breeding, the owner of the horse at the time of its retirement from breeding must, within one month of the horse’s retirement notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant prescribed form.

(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 within 14 days of being entered for or participating in a race notify the Controlling Body or Stewards of the death within 24 hours of its occurrence.

(b)  In any other case notify the Controlling Body or Stewards of the death within 7 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 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 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 or Stewards on Form R25-A.

Gait Change

97. (1)  The owner or lessee of a horse may make application to the Controlling Body or Stewards to change the gait of the horse. 

(2)  The gait of a horse shall not be changed until the horse has trialled to the satisfaction of the Stewards. 

(3)  The application shall be made in the manner and form and be accompanied by such documentation, information and fees as the Controlling Body may determine.

97A.   Application to change the gait of a horse shall be made on Part B of form R25-A.

Medical and surgical procedures

98. (1)  A horse which has had a limb neurectomy is ineligible to race.

(3)  A horse which has had a tracheostomy, with or without a tracheotomy tube inserted, is ineligible to race. 

(4)  An owner, trainer or other person who permits a horse which has had a tracheostomy to race, is guilty of an offence. 

99.   (1)  A person shall not perform or authorise the performance of the procedure of pin-firing or bar-firing (thermacautery) a horse.

(2)  Notification under sub rule (1) shall be given within 7 days of the gelding or other procedure occurring, in writing or such other form as the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine and, if the horse is named, notification shall be accompanied by the horse’s registration certificate.

(3)  Where a horse has been gelded the connections of such gelding shall not nominate such gelding for a race to be run within a period of 28 days of the horse being gelded.

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

100A.   Notification of gelding or performance of other specified procedures shall be given to the Controlling Body or Stewards on Part B of form R25-A.

Bleeding attacks

101. (1)  Any time a horse suffers a bleeding attack the trainer shall immediately and in any event within 24 hours notify the Stewards.

101A.  (1)  Where a horse is barred from racing under rule 101 the Stewards shall issue a notice in terms of form R134-A and give it to the trainer or authorised agent.

(2)  Sub rules (2), (3) and (4) of rule 134A apply.

101B. (1)  Any time a horse suffers bleeding from one nostril the trainer shall immediately and in any event within twenty four (24) hours notify the Stewards.

(2)  If the Stewards determine that a horse has bled from one nostril the horse shall not be eligible to race until it has trialled to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

Atrial Fibrillation

101C.  (1)  If a horse suffers atrial fibrillation the trainer shall immediately and in any event within 24 hours notify the Stewards.

(2)  If the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has suffered atrial fibrillation the Stewards shall:

(a)  After the first attack stand the horse down from racing for a period of 14 days, require the horse to undergo an ECG prior to a trial and then trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

(b)  After the second attack stand the horse down from racing for a period of 28 days, require the horse to undergo an ECG before trialling and then trial on two occasions to the satisfaction of the Stewards.

(c)  After the third attack, bar the horse for life.

(3) A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) or races a horse in contravention of sub-rule (2) is guilty of an offence.

Blindness

102. (1)  The owner or trainer of a horse which is blind in 1 eye or has visual impairment may apply to the Chairman of Stewards for permission to race the horse.

Vice in horse

103.  The Controlling Body, or the Stewards on forming the opinion that a horse has a defect, habit or vice which endangers or might endanger itself or other horses or drivers may bar the horse from racing for any period of time.

103A  (1)  Where the Stewards deem it appropriate, they may issue a notice in terms of form R134-A in respect of a horse which has a defect, habit or vice and give it to the trainer or authorised agent.

(2)  Where the Stewards act under sub rule (1), sub rules (2),(3) and (4) of rule 134 apply.

Pregnant Mares

103B.  (1)  A mare or filly shall not race or perform track work after day 120 of its pregnancy.

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

Notification of disease or death

104. (1)  If a horse contracts or is suffering any contagious disease or condition specified by the Controlling Body or Stewards, 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 or Stewards in writing of that fact.

105A.   (Rule 105A repealed, approved 11.12.2015)  Refer to Rule 96A and Rule 96B.

Form R25A - Notification of Death Form

Advertisements for service, sale and related matters

106. (1)  No person shall advertise any sire for service or any horse for sale, lease or syndication with the representation that the sire or horse has run a certain time unless it is an official winning time, or an official registered time trial time.

(4)  Where a person is guilty of an offence under this rule then, in addition to any penalty imposed on that person, registration of a sire the subject of that person’s advertisement may be withdrawn or, if the horse is a dam, registration of the dam’s foaling may be refused.

Minimum age of owner

107.  Unless the Controlling Body approves, a person under the age of 18 years cannot own, lease or otherwise have a legal interest in a horse.

Registration of owners

108.  The Controlling Body may register the owners of horses and registration may be effected in such manner and form and with such particulars and information as the Controlling Body considers appropriate.

Ownership, legal interests, leases

109. (1)  Within 7 days of entering into a lease or prior to the horse next racing whichever is the earlier the lessee shall lodge a notification of the lease with the Controlling Body.

(5)  The Controlling Body may cancel the registration of the notification and the lease thereupon becomes ineffective.

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

110.  (1)  If the term of a notified lease is extended or if a notified lease is surrendered, or otherwise terminated before the conclusion of its term, the lessor or the lessee shall within 7 days of the event occurring or prior to the horse next racing whichever is earlier notify the Controlling Body.

110A.   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.

111.  (1)  A change in the ownership of a registered horse or notified foal shall be made in accordance with this rule.

(3)  An application under this rule shall be made in the manner and form, and be accompanied by the horse’s registration certificate and such other documentation, information and fees as the Controlling Body may determine.

(4)  The Controlling Body may register or refuse to register the change.

(5)  A change becomes effective on registration.

(6)  The Controlling Body may cancel the registration of a change and it thereupon becomes ineffective.

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

112.  (1)  A person who fails to comply with a provision of rule 109 or rule 110 or rule 111 is guilty of an offence.

(2)  Where an offence is committed under rule 109 or rule 110 or rule 111 the Controlling Body may take such action with regard to the horse concerned in the offence and take such action with regard to the registration of the ownership in the horse as it may determine.

(3)  The Controlling Body may register or cancel the registration of notification of a lease, or approve an event of the type described in sub rule 110 (1) or register or cancel the registration of a change in the ownership of a horse, on the basis of such documentation or information as it considers suitable and notwithstanding the failure of any person to comply with a provision of rule 109 or rule 110 or rule 111.

Passing of engagements and related matters

113. (1)  The engagements of a horse and the rights and liabilities attaching thereto shall pass -

(3)  Notwithstanding anything in this rule, the Controlling Body or Stewards may make such determinations and give such directions with regard to the engagements of a horse and the rights and liabilities attaching thereto as it or they think fit.

Syndicates & Groups

114.  (1)  The connections of a horse may make application to the Controlling Body to register a syndicate in respect of the horse.

114A.  (1)  Application to register a syndicate shall be made on form R114-A.

(2)  Application to renew the registration of a syndicate shall be made on form R114-C.

115. (1) A syndicate shall appoint a natural person as its manager.

116. (1)  The manager shall notify the Controlling Body of any change in the composition of the syndicate within 7 days of the change occurring or prior to the horse next racing whichever is earlier.

Relinquishment of training

119.  (1)  A trainer shall on relinquishing the training of a horse immediately give notification of that fact to the Controlling Body or Stewards.

(3)  A trainer who fails to comply with any provision of this rule is guilty of an offence.

Temporary transfer of horse

119A.  (1)  Where a trainer intends to leave his horse with another licensed trainer or another person the trainer must obtain approval from the Stewards prior to doing so.

(2)  The period in which a horse may be left with another licensed trainer or another person shall not exceed 14 days from the date of approval.

(3)  The details of the request must be confirmed by the trainer in writing within the time and contain the information required by the Controlling Body or Stewards.

(4)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rules (1), (2) and (3) is guilty of an offence.

Eligibility for Nomination

119B.  Unless the Stewards otherwise approve, a horse shall not be eligible to be nominated for a race unless the horse has been trained by a licensed trainer for not less than 28 days immediately prior to the date fixed for nomination.

Location of Horse

119C.   (1)  A trainer shall not without the prior approval of the Stewards stable any horse trained by him in any location other than any registered training establishment of the trainer.

(2)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence and in addition to any other penalty that may be imposed, the nomination of the horse concerned may not be accepted or if after acceptance, be rejected and the horse withdrawn from or disqualified from the race.

Transfer from disqualified trainer

120.  (1)  A horse trained but not owned by a trainer whose licence has been suspended or cancelled or who is disqualified (in this rule called the “the disqualified person”) is ineligible to race until it is transferred to the control of a licensed trainer.

(5)  A horse may be declared ineligible to race by the Controlling Body or Stewards if it or they form the view that the disqualified person is involved with or influencing the training of the horse.

121.  (1)  A horse registered or notified under these rules shall not be offered for sale, or sold, unless its owner or trainer has first matched the identity of the horse with its official description maintained in the records of the Controlling Body.

Offences

122.  (1)  Unless the Controlling Body otherwise approves a person shall not nominate for or start in a race a horse which has not been named or registered under these rules.

(5)  A person shall not change or abandon the name shown on a horse’s registration certificate except with the approval of the Controlling Body.

(6)  Where a horse’s name has been changed the old name (in parenthesis) as well as the new, shall be shown in every program for a meeting or race in which the horse participates for a period of 3 months or until the horse has competed under the new name on at least 6 occasions, whichever shall be longer.

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