2025 Racing Directives

Horse Racing Alberta is pleased to release the 2025 Directives for the Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta. We extend our sincere thanks to all stakeholders who submitted petitions and provided valuable feedback during the process.

For any inquiries, please contact the Board of Judges or Stewards, or reach out to Chuck Ibey, Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Visit the Directives page for a full listing here

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 ADDED to Rule 287 g to read:

Rule 287 g Specific violations

(3) No licensee acting alone or in concert with another person shall compromise the welfare of a *horse for competitive or commercial reasons or subject or permit any *horse under the control, custody or supervision to be subjected to or to incur the following:

(a) any form of cruelty, mistreatment, neglect or abuse;

(b) abandonment, injury, maiming or killing (except for euthanasia for humane reasons and in a manner consistent with the current version of the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association Guidelines for the Euthanasia of Animals);

(c) administration of any noxious substance; or

(d) deprivation of necessary care, sustenance, shelter or veterinary care.

If the judges or stewards board, under the recommendation of the Official Veterinarian, are satisfied that a racing participant has failed to meet the health and welfare needs of *horses, the judges/stewards board may:

(a) assign financial penalties,

(b) refuse entries to horse races, and/or

(c) ban, suspend or apply conditions to the licence of the licensee.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 7 Driving Rules

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 457 s Pylon rule

(1) Racetracks with pylons shall meet the following criteria regarding pylon location, and design standards

(1) sixty (60) feet apart on the straight away

(2) forty (40) feet apart on the turns

(3) pylons leading into the passing lanes to be 15 feet or less apart

(4) thirty (30) inches in length above ground

(5) pylons shall have the top three inches of the pylon painted or taped bright orange.

(2) A horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike that leaves the race course by going inside the pylons which constitutes the inside limits of the course, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be in violation of this rule. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse, or part of the horse's race bike, to cross inside the pylons and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.

(a) if a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside two (2) consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire,

(b) if a horse while on stride, or any part of the horse's race bike, goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last, and

(c) if in the opinion of the Judges a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside a pylon(s) and that action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped improve its position in the race, the horse may be placed at the discretion of the Judges.

(3) Drivers who in the opinion of the Judges leave the racing course when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to a monetary penalty or suspensions.

(4) Harness tracks using an extended/passing lane the following rules will apply:

(a) No horse shall pass on the extended/passing lane entering the homestretch for the first time during the race.

(b) The lead horse in the homestretch shall maintain as straight a course as possible while allowing trailing horses full, unobstructed access to the extended/passing lane.

(c) Horses using the extended/passing lane must have complete clearance to enter and use that lane.

(d) Drivers, who in the opinion of the Board of Judges, violates any of the above when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to being placed, monetary penalty or suspension.

Rule 457 s Pylon Rule currently states: (amended 03/20)

(1) Racetracks with pylons shall meet the following criteria regarding pylon location, and design standards

(1) sixty (60) feet apart on the straight away

(2) forty (40) feet apart on the turns

(3) pylons leading into the passing lanes to be 15 feet or less apart

(4) thirty (30) inches in length above ground

(5) pylons shall have the top three inches of the pylon painted or taped bright orange.

(2) A horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike that leaves the race course by going inside the pylons which constitutes the inside limits of the course, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse may be in violation of this rule. In addition, when an act of interference causes a horse, or part of the horse's race bike, to cross inside the pylons and the horse is placed by the Judges, the offending horse shall be placed behind the horse with which it interfered.

(a) if a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside two (2) consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire,

(b) if a horse while on stride, or any part of the horse's race bike, goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last, and

(c) if in the opinion of the Judges a horse while on stride, or part of the horse's race bike, goes inside a pylon(s) and that action gave the horse an unfair advantage over other horses in the race or the action helped improve its position in the race, the horse may be placed at the discretion of the Judges.

(3) Drivers who in the opinion of the Judges leave the racing course when not forced to do so as a result of another driver and/or horse may be subject to a monetary penalty or suspensions.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 315 g Claiming prohibitions

(1) No person may offer to, nor enter into an agreement to, *claim or not to claim a *horse, or attempt to prevent a claim being made, nor may any person, by intimidation, prevent a horse from being run in a *claiming race.

(2) The *judges/stewards board may prohibit persons from *claiming if it considers that the purpose of making the claim would

(a) not advance the interests of the Alberta horse racing industry,

(b) not be in the best interests of racing in Alberta, or

(c) be contrary to the purpose of claiming races or the public interest.

(3) All Thoroughbred and Quarter Horses claimed must *race within 45 days of the claim. If unable to race within 45 days, the owner and/or trainer must provide a veterinary certificate explaining why the horse is medically unable to race. This certificate must be accepted by the Official Veterinarian.

(a) If the owner and/or trainer fails to provide an acceptable veterinary certificate, they may lose their claiming privileges for 365 days (one year).

Rule 315 g Claiming prohibitions currently states: (amended 04/23)

(1) No person may offer to, nor enter into an agreement to, *claim or not to claim a *horse, or attempt to prevent a claim being made, nor may any person, by intimidation, prevent a horse from being run in a *claiming race.

(2) The *judges/stewards board may prohibit persons from *claiming if it considers that the purpose of making the claim would

(a) not advance the interests of the Alberta horse racing industry,

(b) not be in the best interests of racing in Alberta, or

(c) be contrary to the purpose of claiming races or the public interest.

(3) All Thoroughbred and Quarter horses claimed must race back within 30 days from the date of the *claim. If a *horse does not race back within 30 days of a claim, the trainer must produce a veterinary certificate stating the reason why the *horse is medically unsound to race. Should the trainer not be able to produce the document that is acceptable by the official veterinarians, the trainer loses their claiming privileges for the remainder of the season. If a *horse is claimed within 30 days of the end of the meet, the *horse must come back and race the first 30 days of the following season. If the *horse does not race within those 30 days, the trainer must produce a veterinary certificate stating the reason why the *horse medically is unsound to race.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 4 Misconduct of racing officials and racing participants

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 300 g Prohibited blood/alcohol concentrations

(1) A racing official or racing participant violates these rules

(a) if their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) exceeds 50 mgs (milligrams) of alcohol in 100 mls (millilitres) of blood, a 2nd test will be administered at least 20 minutes after the first sample was obtained. The average of the 2 tests can not exceed 50 mgs (milligrams) of alcohol in 100 mls (millilitres) of blood.

(b) while unfit for work on account of the use of a prescription, medically authorized or non-prescription drug; or

(c) with a level of drugs in excess of the concentrations listed in the table below:

Oral Fluid Drug Concentration Limits:

(2) If a person who violates subsection (1),

(a) is a judge or steward, that individual must be relieved of their duties immediately by the Supervisor of Racing and referred to Horse Racing Alberta;

(b) is a jockey or driver, that individual will be immediately removed from all mounts or drives scheduled for that day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both;

(c) is any other Safety Sensitive position (excluding jockeys and drivers) and all other positions, that person will be immediately removed from all duties on the grounds for the day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee or both;

(d) all other Persons, immediate removal from all duties on the grounds and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both.

Rule 300 g Prohibited blood/alcohol concentrations currently state: (amended 08/19)

(1) A racing official or racing participant violates these rules if they report to work:

(a) with blood/alcohol concentration reading of more than 50 milligrams of alcohol in one hundred millilitres of blood;

(b) while unfit for work on account of the use of a prescription, medically authorized or non-prescription drug; or

(c) with a level of drugs in excess of the concentrations listed in the table below:

(2) If a person who violates subsection (1),

(a) is a judge or steward, that individual must be relieved of their duties immediately by the Supervisor of Racing and referred to Horse Racing Alberta;

(b) is a jockey or driver, that individual will be immediately removed from all mounts or drives scheduled for that day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee, or both;

(c) is any other Safety Sensitive position (excluding jockeys and drivers) and all other positions, that person will be immediately removed from all duties on the grounds for the day and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee or both;

(d) all other Persons, immediate removal from all duties on the grounds and the judges/stewards may impose a fine not more than $500.00 on the person and suspend the licencee,or both.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA

Spring Examination:

• April 17th
• Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino | 1-4 pm
• Register by: April 15th

Summer Examination:

• July 10th
• Location: Century Mile Racetrack and Casino | 1-4 pm
• Register by: July 8th

For more information or to register please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | (587) 416-5461

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 287 g Specific violations

(1) A person also *violates these rules who

(xxxi) Dogs are permitted in the barn area at Alberta race tracks under the following conditions:

(a) dogs are permitted in the backstretch area only for individuals residing on the property,

(b) dogs are strictly prohibited from entering barns under any circumstances,

(c) no dogs are to be walked during training or racing hours,

(d) all dogs must always be on a leash while on the property, owners must maintain full control of their dogs to prevent incidents,

(e) only vaccinated and healthy dogs shall be permitted,

(f) owners must take responsibility to ensure proper clean up after their dog and the dog’s behavior must not disrupt horses, drivers, riders or other workers.

Service dogs that are qualified under the Government of Alberta's Service Dogs Act and possess a valid Government of Alberta Service Dog Identification Card are permitted access to all Horse Racing Alberta licensed race tracks. Handlers must present this identification upon request and ensure the service dog is under control at all times.

Rule 287 g (1) (xxxi) Specific violations currently states:

(1) A person also *violates these rules who

(xxxi) Permits a dog to enter a stable area during a race meeting;

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 5 Race Day \ Subdivision 1 Pre-Race Preparation

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 218 g Race horses shipped in

(1) When *race horses are shipped-in to participate in a *horse race the following rules apply:

(a) the *horses must be registered for racing with and accepted for *entry by the racing secretary and be fully eligible to participate in a *race meeting in every respect in accordance with these rules, but nothing in this rule affects the right of a *licensed operator to select which horses it will accept for racing on its premises;

(b) horses must arrive as follows:

(i) a thoroughbred or quarter horse entered for a *race at any racetrack in Alberta must arrive at the *race track no later than 10:00 on the *day of the race for a Veterinarian check regardless of post-time;

(ii) a standardbred horse entered to *race at any race track in Alberta must arrive at the race track no later than 2 hours (120 minutes) in advance of the published first race post time;

(iii) standardbred horses that are part of the EIPH program must arrive four (4) hours and fifteen (15) minutes prior to their published post time but no later than two (2) hours before the published first race post time, whichever occurs first.

(d) *trainers must file with the judges/stewards board the name and location of the premises in which they intend to board race horses and from which they intend to ship for racing;

(e) the onus for the security of the horse remains with the trainer under the trainer responsibility rule and the shortest and most direct route must be taken, without stops, when race horses are shipped;

(f) personnel entering the security area at the race track with shipped-in horses must be licensed under these rules;

(g) a trainer racing a horse under the “ship-in” rule that tests positive for a prohibited substance may lose their ship-in privileges for at least one year, or such longer period as a judges/stewards board specifies following completion of their suspension.

(2) It is a *violation of these rules for a trainer of a shipped-in horse to fail to present their horse for an appointment at a race track.

(3) A horse that is entered to race and is stabled on or shipped onto the race track grounds, must remain on the premises until such time as the horse has raced. Exceptions would only be made by the *stewards/judges permission or in the case of an emergency.

Rule 218 g Race horses shipped in currently states: (amended 04/23)

(1) When *race horses are shipped-in to participate in a *horse race the following rules apply:

(a) the *horses must be registered for racing with and accepted for *entry by the racing secretary and be fully eligible to participate in a *race meeting in every respect in accordance with these rules, but nothing in this rule affects the right of a *licensed operator to select which horses it will accept for racing on its premises;

(b) horses must arrive as follows:

(i) a thoroughbred or quarter horse entered for a *race at any racetrack in Alberta must arrive at the *race track no later than 10:00 on the *day of the race for a Veterinarian check regardless of post-time;

(ii) a standardbred horse entered for a race at any racetrack in Alberta must arrive at the race track no later than 4 hours and 15 minutes in advance of the first post time;

(c) a horse that is late arriving on race day may be *scratched by the *judges/stewards board;

(d) *trainers must file with the judges/stewards board the name and location of the premises in which they intend to board race horses and from which they intend to ship for racing;

(e) the onus for the security of the horse remains with the trainer under the trainer responsibility rule and the shortest and most direct route must be taken, without stops, when race horses are shipped;

(f) personnel entering the security area at the race track with shipped-in horses must be licensed under these rules;

(g) a trainer racing a horse under the “ship-in” rule that tests positive for a prohibited substance may lose their ship-in privileges for at least one year, or such longer period as a judges/stewards board specifies following completion of their suspension.

(2) It is a *violation of these rules for a trainer of a shipped-in horse to fail to present their horse for an appointment at a race track.

(3) A horse that is entered to race and is stabled on or shipped onto the race track grounds, must remain on the premises until such time as the horse has raced. Exceptions would only be made by the *stewards/judges permission or in the case of an emergency.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 1 Administration of Horse Races and Veterinary Care \ Division 3 Veterinary Care at Race Meetings

The following rule is AMENDED to read:

Rule 123 g Equine infectious anemia (e.i.a.)

(1) Any person responsible for a horse stabled at a Horse Racing Alberta licensed *race track must provide proof of a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (Coggins test). The test must be dated within the past 12 months (365 days) and submitted at least 48 hours before admittance to the race track. Proof of the negative test must be reported to Horse Racing Alberta Security. For full requirements, refer to Policy RLP012 Equine Infectious Anemia Policy.

(2) A horse the subject of a positive test for equine infectious anemia will be reported to its *trainer or other person in charge of the horse by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

(3) The CFIA will place a precautionary quarantine on all equines on the premises of the race track with documentation outlining the rules of the quarantine.

123 g Equine infectious anemia (e.i.a.) currently states: (amended 04/23)

Any person who is responsible for a *race horse stabled on the grounds of a *race track for the purpose of racing must ensure that a negative test for equine infectious anemia (Coggins test) dated in the preceding 12 months (365 days), has been issued with respect to that horse.

(1) No person may bring a horse onto the grounds of a race track or permit the entry of a horse onto the grounds of a race track, unless a certificate of a negative test for equine infectious anemia has been issued with respect to that horse in accordance with subsection (1).

(2) A *horse the subject of a positive test for equine infectious anemia must be immediately reported, by its *trainer or other person in charge of it, to the *official veterinarian.

(3) On receipt of the report, the official veterinarian must arrange for the affected horse to be isolated.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

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 1 Administration of Horse Races and Veterinary Care \ Division 2 Veterinary Treatment of Race Horses Generally

Rule 122 g Shock Wave Therapy

The use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy is not permitted unless the following conditions are met:

(1) Any Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine, whether in operating condition or not, must be registered with and approved by the *Official Veterinarian before such machine is brought to or possessed on any racetrack within the jurisdiction of Horse Racing Alberta.

(a) No person, other than a *licensed veterinarian may possess or use an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy machine or a Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine on any race horse.

(b) At the beginning of each calendar year, practicing veterinarians licensed by Horse Racing Alberta who possess or use an Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy machine or a Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine must register their machines with Horse Racing Alberta as approved by the *Official Veterinarian.

(2) Use of the Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy machine or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine on a race horse must be reported within 24 hours of the treatment on the prescribed form and forwarded to the *Official Veterinarian.

(a) Any treated horse is not permitted to race, breeze and/or train for a minimum of 10 days following treatment;

(b) Any horse treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy is to be added to a list of ineligible horses. This list is to be kept in the race office and accessible to all racing participants during normal business hours and be made available to other regulatory jurisdictions.

(c) Any horse treated by a licensed Alberta Veterinary Medical Association (ABVMA) veterinarian other than a veterinarian licensed by Horse Racing Alberta must be reported by the owner or trainer to the *Official Veterinarian.

(d) A horse that receives any such treatment without full compliance with this section in any other jurisdiction is to be placed on the Judge's or Steward's List.

Rule 122 g Shock Wave Therapy currently states: (amended 03/20)

The use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy is not permitted unless the following conditions are met:

(1) Any Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy machine, whether in operating condition or not, must be registered with and approved by the Commission Veterinarian before such machine is brought to or possessed on any racetrack within the jurisdiction of the Commission;

(2) The use of Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy within the jurisdiction:

(a) Is limited to veterinarians licensed to practice by the commission.

(b) May only be performed with machines that are:

(i) Registered and approved for use by the HRA; and

(ii) Used at a previously-disclosed location that is approved by the Commission Veterinarian.

(3) Must be reported within 24-hours prior to treatment on the prescribed form to the Official Veterinarian.

(a) Any treated horse is not permitted to race, breeze and/or train for a minimum of 10 days following treatment;

(b) Any horse treated with Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy or Radial Pulse Wave Therapy is to be added to a list of ineligible horses. This list is be kept in the race office and accessible to all racing participants during normal business hours and be made available to other regulatory jurisdictions.

(c) A horse that receives any such treatment without full compliance with this section and similar rules in any other jurisdiction in which the horse was treated is to be placed on the Judge's or Steward's List.

Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 7 day of April 2025.

Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA