The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 4 Apprentice Jockeys, Jockeys and Jockey’s Agents
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 207 t Attendance at the jockey’s room
(1) *Jockeys must attend at the jockey’s room each *day of the *race meeting at least one hour before post time of any race in which they are programmed to ride, unless excused by the Stewards.
(2) Jockeys must remain in the jockey’s room until their engagements for the day have been completed.
(3) After leaving the jockey’s room the jockey must not return without the consent of the jockey’s room superintendent or the superintendent’s designate.
(4) Jockeys must fulfill all engagements in respect to racing unless excused by the *stewards board.
Rule 207 t Attendance at the jockey’s room currently states:
(1) *Jockeys must attend at the jockey’s room each *day of the *race meeting to be weighted at such time as may be designated by the clerk of scales.
(2) Jockeys must remain in the jockey’s room until their engagements for the day have been completed.
(3) After leaving the jockey’s room the jockey must not return without the consent of the jockey’s room superintendent or the superintendent’s designate.
(4) Jockeys must fulfill all engagements in respect to racing unless excused by the *stewards board.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 153 t Conditions on racing a horse
(1) A *horse may only be entered in a *horse race if
(a) In the case of a horse entered in a thoroughbred *race, the horse has been registered with the Jockey Club;
(b) in the case of a horse entered in a quarter horse race, the horse has been registered with the American Quarter Horse Association;
(c) in the case of a horse entered in a race for other breeds, the horse has been registered with their respective breed organizations that are recognized by *Horse Racing Alberta;
(d) registration certificates have been filed with the *licensed operator, unless filing is excused by the *stewards board;
(e) the horse is in good standing, is owned by a *licensed owner and is in the care of and saddled by a *trainer;
(f) the horse is entered in the name of the *owner as recorded on the registration certificate or in the name of a registered lessee, or in their respective stable names.
(2) Thoroughbred horses foaled in Canada must be registered with the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society prior to being allowed to race.
Rule 153 t Conditions on entering horses in races currently states:
(1) A *horse may only be entered in a *horse race if
(a) In the case of a horse entered in a thoroughbred *race, the horse has been registered with The Jockey Club;
(b) in the case of a horse entered in a quarter horse race, the horse has been registered with the American Quarter Horse Association;
(c) in the case of a horse entered in a race for other breeds, the horse has been registered with their respective breed organizations that are recognized by *Horse Racing Alberta;
(d) registration certificates have been filed with the *licensed operator, unless filing is excused by the *stewards board;
(e) the horse is in good standing, is owned by a *licensed owner and is in the care of and saddled by a *trainer;
(f) the horse is entered in the name of the *owner as recorded on the registration certificate or in the name of a registered lessee, or in their respective stable names.
(2) Horses foaled in Canada and registered only with The Jockey Club may be entered in thoroughbred races in major meets but are not eligible for
(a) any weight allowance accorded to Canadian *bred horses or Alberta bred horses;
(b) any race restricted to *Canadian bred horse or Alberta bred horses;
(c) any *entry preference accorded to Canadian bred horses or Alberta bred horses;
(d) any weight allowance accorded to Canadian bred horses or Alberta bred horses.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 25 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 6 Standardbred Racing Division 6 Driving Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 443 s Starting gate
All races must be started with a mobile starting gate of a design approved by the provincial regulatory body. The starting gate must be equipped with two-way communications to the Judges’ stand and a mechanical loud speaker to be used for the sole purpose of communicating instructions to drivers. Other use of the loudspeaker is a violation.
Rule 443 s Starting gate currently states:
All races must be started with a mobile starting gate of a design approved by the provincial regulatory body. No person shall be allowed to ride in the starting gate except the starter, the driver and a patrol judge without the permission of the Judges. The starting gate must be equipped with two-way communications to the Judges’ stand and a mechanical loud speaker to be used for the sole purpose of communicating instructions to drivers. Other use of the loudspeaker is a violation.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 6 Standardbred Racing Division 6 Racing Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 436s Sulkies
Sulkies are only permitted to be used in a race if they are of the conventional dual-shaft and dual-hitch type as follows:
(a) the sulky must have 2 shafts that must be parallel to, and securely hitched on each side of the horse,
(b) no point of hitch and no part of a shaft of a sulky is to be above a horizontal level equal to the lowest point of the horse’s back,
(c) all race bikes must be equipped with mud sheets and mud fenders at all extended meetings when deemed necessary by the Judges,
(d) the sulky must be equipped with wheel discs of a colour which is not prohibited by the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (Canada), as amended from time to time, and
(e) only USTA approved conventional sulkies will be permitted to be used in a race.
Rule 436s Sulkies currently states:
Sulkies are only permitted to be used in a race if they are of the conventional dual-shaft and dual-hitch type as follows:
(a) the sulky must have 2 shafts that must be parallel to, and securely hitched on each side of the horse,
(b) no point of hitch and no part of a shaft of a sulky is to be above a horizontal level equal to the lowest point of the horse’s back,
(c) all race bikes must be equipped with mud sheets and mud fenders at all extended meetings when deemed necessary by the Judges,
(d) the sulky must be equipped with wheel discs of a colour which is not prohibited by the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (Canada), as amended from time to time, and
(e) the sulky must be acceptable to the judges board.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 4 Claiming Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 326s Making the claim
(1) A *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and a claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose.
(2) The envelope must be sealed, the date and number of the *race written on it, and the envelope must be delivered to the horsemen's bookkeeper or another person designated for that purpose by the licensed operator at least 30 minutes before *post time of the race in respect of which the claim is being made.
(3) The horseman’s bookkeeper or designate must certify, by automatic time clock on the outside of the envelope, the time the envelope is received.
Rule 326s Making the claim currently states:
(1) A *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and a claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose.
(2) The envelope must be sealed, the date, *trainer’s name, and number of the *race written on it, and the envelope must be delivered to the horsemen's bookkeeper or another person designated for that purpose by the licensed operator at least 30 minutes before *post time of the race in respect of which the claim is being made.
(3) The horseman’s bookkeeper or designate must certify, by automatic time clock on the outside of the envelope, the time the envelope is received.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 4 Claiming Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 325t Claims and claims box
(1) For thoroughbred *races,
(a) the *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose, and
(b) the envelope must be sealed and must have the date and number of the race written on it, and the envelope must be deposited in the claim box before the last *horse has left the paddock for the race.
(2) The claim box must be located in the paddock area under the supervision of the paddock *judge.
(3) The paddock judge must cause all claims to be reported to the *stewards board before the running of each race.
325t Claims and claim box currently states:
(1) For thoroughbred *races,
(a) the *claim blank and the *claiming credit note, properly completed, and claim certificate, if applicable, must be placed in the claim envelope provided by the *licensed operator for that purpose, and
(b) the envelope must be sealed and must have the date and number of the race, and the *trainer’s name, written on it, and the envelope must be deposited in the claim box before the last *horse has left the paddock for the race.
(2) The claim box must be located in the paddock area under the supervision of the paddock *judge.
(3) The paddock judge must cause all claims to be reported to the *stewards board before the running of each race.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 4 Apprentice Jockeys, Jockeys and Jockey’s Agents
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
210t Use of riding crops
(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.
(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:
(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;
(b) During a post parade;
(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;
(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing
(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.
(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:
(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,
(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,
(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.
(d) Jockeys may use the riding crop on the hindquarters to activate and focus the horse a maximum of six times during a race. The six permitted uses shall be in increments of two or fewer strikes. The rider must allow at least two strides for the horse to respond before using the riding crop again.
(e) Jockeys may tap the horse on the shoulder with the riding crop while both hands are holding on to the reins and both hands are touching the neck of the horse.
Rule 210 t Use of riding crops currently states:
(1) In a *race in which a *jockey will not ride with a riding crop; an announcement of that fact must be made over the public address system.
(2) Although the use of riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race must not apply to a *horse:
(a) On the head, flanks, or on any part of its body, other than the shoulders or hind quarters;
(b) During a post parade;
(c) Excessively or brutally, so as to cause welts or breaks in the skin;
(d) When the horse is clearly out of the race has obtained its maximum placing;
(e) Persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop.
(3) Correct uses of the riding crops are:
(a) Showing horses, the riding crop before urging them,
(b) Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride,
(c) Using the riding crop as an aid to maintain a horse running straight.
(d) Jockey may not apply the riding crop more than three (3) times in succession without giving the horse a chance to respond.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 290 g Prohibited substances on race day
(1)No person shall,
if a thoroughbred or quarter horse, after 10:00 am of the *race day, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following, or, if a standardbred, 4 hours and 15 minutes in advance of the first post-time on the day of the *race, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following:
(a) any *drug, *medication, or *foreign substance, including alkalinizing agents that could increase the bicarbonate buffering capacity of a horse, other than normal feed;
(b) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of injection by hypodermic syringe, including vitamins, minerals, food supplements, glucose, sugar, alkalinizing agents and alcohol;
(c) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of drenching or by rectal lavage with a dose syringe, tube or bottle, or by nebulizer including sodium bicarbonate, sugar, camphor, alkalinizing agents and alcohol.
(2) Despite subsection (1), a horse entered to race may be medicated on race day
(a) in an emergency or for a medical condition following which the horse will be *scratched, or
(b) with a medication approved by *Horse Racing Alberta for the control ofexercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Rule 290 g Prohibited substances on race day currently states:
(1) If a Thoroughbred or Quarter horse
(a) A horse entered to race shall not be administered anymedications, drugs, or a foreign substance 24 hours before posttime of the first race of the day in which the horse has beenentered.
(b)Furosemide administration for Horse Racing Alberta ExerciseInduced Pulmonary Hemorrhage (EIPH) program shall not beconsidered as a violation of Rule 290 g.
(c)No unauthorized contact between the horse entered and apracticing veterinarian 24 hours prior to the horse racing will bepermitted except for the Official Veterinarian.
(d) Veterinarians are prohibited from any contact with the horseentered to race 24 hours to post time of the first race on the dayof racing.
(e) If a veterinarian shall have to act in the capacity of a veterinarianfor a horse entered to race within 24 hours prior to post time ofthe first race on an emergency basis, the veterinarian andtrainer shall notify the Board of Stewards as soon as reasonablypossible in the circumstances and the horse will be scratched.
(f) If the horse entered to race has had contact with a veterinarianwithin 24 hours of the medication ban, the horse shall bedisqualified for the race it is entered in and any purse moniesshall be redistributed.
(g) Any horse that has been entered to race and has beenadministered any medication within the 24-hour medication ban,will be withdrawn or disqualified from the race.
(2) If a standardbred, no person shall,
administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following, 4 hours, and 15 minutes in advance of the first post-time on the day of the race, administer to a *horse entered in any form of racing in Alberta at any racetrack administer any of the following:
(a) any *drug, *medication, or *foreign substance, including alkalinizing agents that could increase the bicarbonate buffering capacity of a horse, other than normal feed;
(b) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of injection by hypodermic syringe, including vitamins, minerals, food supplements, glucose, sugar, alkalinizing agents and alcohol;
(c) any drug, medication, or foreign substance by way of drenching or by rectal lavage with a dose syringe, tube or bottle, or by nebulizer including sodium bicarbonate, sugar, camphor, alkalinizing agents and alcohol.
(3) Despite subsection (1) and (2), a horse entered to race may be medicated on race day
(a) in an emergency or for a medical condition following which the horse will be *scratched, or
(b) with a medication approved by *Horse Racing Alberta for the control of exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 04 day of March 2024.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
Spring Examination:
- April 17th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
- Registration Period: March 1 - April 15th
Mid-Summer Examination:
- July 11th
- Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino
- Registration Period: May 1st - July 9th
For more information or to register please contact