A. Brief Description of the Issue
Mandatory Rest Period for Quarter Horses, Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds
Currently, Horse Racing Alberta (HRA) has no specific rule governing the minimum time required between race starts. This regulatory gap creates the potential for horses to be raced too frequently, which can negatively impact their health, safety, and long-term performance.
The frequency of starts is a critical factor in equine welfare. Repeated racing with inadequate recovery time increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, decreased performance, and shortened careers. While the majority of trainers act responsibly, clear and enforceable guidelines help ensure consistency across the industry and protection for horses in all barns.
A formal rule limiting the frequency of starts would align Alberta with best practices in other North American jurisdictions, including the standards set by Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario and the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) in the United States.
B. Discussion of the Issue and Problem
What specific problems or concerns are involved in this issue?
The case against over-racing Quarter Horses, Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds centers on protecting equine health and welfare, maintaining long-term performance, and preserving the integrity and public trust in the sport. Horse Racing Alberta must adopt clear guidelines on the minimum rest period and/or maximum number of starts allowed within a defined timeframe.
Key Concerns Include:
1. Maintaining Equine Health:
Over-racing without sufficient recovery time increases the risk of musculoskeletal injuries, soft tissue damage, and long-term soundness issues. Horses subjected to repeated physical stress with inadequate rest are more vulnerable to breakdowns and shortened careers.
2. Safeguarding Horse Welfare:
The welfare of equine athletes must remain a top priority. Establishing clear limitations on race frequency signals a commitment to the humane and ethical treatment of horses, and supports their ability to have longer, more successful careers.
3. Preserving Industry Integrity and Reputation:
Public concern around catastrophic injuries and high-profile breakdowns has led to increased scrutiny of the sport. Implementing measures to prevent over-racing will enhance transparency, strengthen the social license to operate, and reinforce public confidence in Alberta racing.
4. Aligning with North American Best Practices:
Many leading jurisdictions—including those governed by HISA—require a minimum of 7 days between starts and closely monitor cumulative racing activity. Alberta risks falling behind industry standards without a similar rule.
Who does the issue affect?
• Horse Racing Alberta
• Racetracks: Century Downs Racetrack and Casino, Century Mile Racetrack and Casino, Evergreen Park, Rocky Mountain Turf Club
• Flat Trainers
• Flat Owners
• Harness Trainers
• Harness Owners
What existing HRA rules relate to this issue?
None.
C. Possible Solutions and Impact
What solution does this proposal provide?
A maximum race frequency rule will ensure that every racehorse will receive adequate rest and recovery periods between starts.
How will the solution fix the problem?
As racing dates and purse opportunities become increasingly limited, trainers and owners may feel pressured to race horses more frequently to maximize earnings or fill races and race cards to meet metrics or maximize handle. A formal rule will:
• Ensure equine athletes receive adequate rest and recovery time between starts
• Remove pressure from trainers and owners to over-race
• Provide clear guidelines for race secretaries when writing the condition book
• Align Alberta with best welfare practices seen in other jurisdictions
• Demonstrate industry commitment to responsible horse care and safety for all participants
How will the change affect any entities or stakeholders?
The change could have a short-term negative effect on racing secretaries, trainers and owners who wish to race a horse more than the maximum allowed.
How will you or your organization be affected by the proposed change?
What are the benefits of the proposed change?
Providing a rule against over racing will help protect the health and welfare of our equine athletes, and extend their longevity. The benefit of this rule can help decrease risk of injury and prioritize the health and welfare of flat racing horses in Alberta.
1. Horse Racing Alberta:
The long-term benefit includes extended racing careers due to better horse management and lower injury rates. This aligns with HRA's investments in Breed Improvement and Racehorse Procurement Incentives aimed at long-term sustainability.
2. Racetracks & Race Offices:
Over time, improved horse soundness may lead to more horses available to race over longer periods, balancing the short-term impact.
3. Trainers:
This rule supports responsible horsemanship and ensures that each horse receives sufficient rest. While some may consider relocating to jurisdictions with looser oversight, similar rules are becoming increasingly common across North America.
4. Owners:
The rule helps preserve the long-term earning potential of their horses by reducing injury risks and prolonging careers. Potential relocation of horses is mitigated as other jurisdictions are moving in a similar regulatory direction.
What are the possible drawbacks of the proposed change?
1. Horse Racing Alberta:
May experience challenges or push back from race tracks and horsemen’s organizations.
2. Racetracks and Race Offices:
May face initial difficulty filling some races if they previously relied on horses starting more frequently than every seven (7) days and/or more than three (3) times in 30 days.
3. Trainers:
Might pushback because they will not want to be dictated how often they race horses in their care. Will need to adjust training and entry strategies to comply with the rule.
4. Owners:
Owners seeking to maximize race starts and profitability may feel constrained.
D. Please identify any affected stakeholder groups that expressed support or opposition.
(These stakeholders may include the racetracks, breed registries, owners, trainers, jockeys, veterinarians, or others.)
For those stakeholder groups that have expressed an opinion, please list the points on which they agree or disagree, and the arguments they have expressed.
A request for input on the proposed rule change was sent to the following:
1) Alberta Community Thoroughbred Racing Association (ACTRA) - attached
2) Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association (AQHRA) - none received
3) Alberta Standardbred Horse Association (ASHA) - attached
4) Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society of Alberta (CTHS of Alberta) - attached
5) Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association of Alberta (HBPA of Alberta): (unable to attach document, comments are included)
We have had an opportunity to discuss this as a board and we would like to suggest the following edit to the petition:
Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses shall not start more than three (3) times in a 30-day period.
6) Century Downs Racetrack and Casino - none received
7) Century Mile Racetrack and Casino - none received
8) Evergreen Park - none received
9) Rocky Mountain Turf Club - none received
10) The Track on 2 - none received
Are there any affected stakeholder groups that have not been consulted on this proposal?
Commission and licensed veterinarians. Commission veterinarians will provide input during the Regulatory discussion if the petition proceeds.
Please attach any formal letters of support or opposition by stakeholder groups. Files must be .pdf, .doc, .docx, or .txt format and under 3072k for the system to accept the submission. You can add a maximum of 3 attachments.
2025-petition-3-actra-opposition-to-rule-change-petition.pdf
2025-petition-3-asha-opposition-to-rule-change-petition.pdf
2025-petition-3-cths-support-ltr-hra-rule-change-08-19-25.pdf
E. Attach the rule language you are proposing. Please show new language in a new paragraph below the current wording. If you are proposing that current rule language be eliminated, please indicate the text to be deleted with [delete: sample deleted copy]
Quarter Horses, Standardbreds and Thoroughbreds shall have a mandatory seven (7) days of rest between starts, and may not start more than three (3) times in a 30-day period.
F. Do any racing jurisdictions currently have a version of this rule in effect? If yes, please attach copies of those rules.
Quarter Horses
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):
Effective June 23, 2025 – Two-year-olds cannot race more than twice in 28 days; horses three and older cannot race more than twice in 21 days (Rule TB 6.01.01).
Standardbreds
• Illinois Racing Board:
Anecdotal information that Illinois specifies that two-year-olds must have two full days of rest between heats or races.
Thoroughbreds
• Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO):
Effective June 23, 2025 – Two-year-olds cannot race more than twice in 28 days; horses three and older cannot race more than twice in 21 days (Rule TB 6.01.01).
• Churchill Downs:
Horses may start no more than 4 times in a rolling eight-week period. Horses beaten by over 12 lengths in 5 consecutive starts are ineligible without medical clearance.
• California Horse Racing Board (CHRB):
Enforces a 7-day minimum between starts unless a horse is scratched.
• New York Racing Association (NYRA):
Requires a minimum of 6 full days between starts.
• Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA):
• Prohibits horses from starting more than once in a 7-day period
• Monitors cumulative starts and flags horses with 30+ lifetime starts or those at elevated risk due to age or frequency
G. Review the Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta and identify any other Rules this change would affect and submit proposed amendments to those rules to comply with changes that would be made by this proposal.
Following a review of the Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta, any rule referring to entry conditions, scratches, or fitness-to-race evaluations may require amendments or cross-referencing to ensure consistency with the new rule.
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