C-72.1, r. 4 - Rules respecting Standardbred horse races held at a professional race track

Updated to 1 June 2024

This document has official status.

chapter C-72.1, r. 4

Rules respecting Standardbred horse races held at a professional race track

Act respecting racing

(chapter C-72.1, s. 103).

Decision 90-09-19; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 1.

CHAPTER I INTERPRETATION AND SCOPE

DIVISION I INTERPRETATION

1. In these Rules:

(1)  “training activity” means any activity designed to prepare a horse to participate in a race where the responsibility for that activity is assumed by a trainer; in particular, a trainer’s assuming responsibility for the care given to a horse, supervising the exercises performed by it, seeing to its feeding, its shoeing and its equipment to ensure that it is properly harnessed constitute a training activity; (activité d’entraînement)

(2)  “agent” means the holder of an agent’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing (chapter C-72.1, r. 2); (agent)

(3)  “gait” means trot or pace; (allure)

(4)  “association” means the holder of a racing licence issued under section 58 of the Act respecting racing (chapter C-72.1); (association)

(5)  “purse” means a sum of money awarded to the owners of horses participating in a race; (bourse)

(6)  “advertised purse” means a sum of money offered for a special race; (bourse commanditée)

(7)  “race meeting” means a fixed number of race programs organized by an association, held at a single race track during a calendar year; (calendrier de courses)

(8)  “eligibility certificate” means a document issued by the Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association, giving the characteristics of a horse and the statistics of its previous races; (certificat d’admissibilité)

(9)  “registration certificate” means a document issued by the Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association for the purposes of registering race horses; (certificat d’enregistrement)

(10)  “horse” means a colt, a stallion, a gelding, a filly, a mare or a spayed mare of the Standardbred breed, for which a registration certificate has been issued by the Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association; (cheval)

(11)  “maiden horse” means a horse that, at a given gait, has never won a race with a purse run at that gait; (cheval novice)

(12)  “sponsor” means the holder of a sponsor’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing; (commanditaire)

(13)  “driver” means the holder of a driver’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing; (conducteur)

(14)  “race” means a competition between horses participating in a contest of speed during which each horse is harnessed to a sulky; (course)

(15)  “conditioned race” means a regular race for which the eligibility of horses is determined in accordance with one or more conditions that, in particular, may be based on:

(a)  the winnings of the horses for a determined number of races or for a determined period of time;

(b)  the position of the horses after a determined number of races or after a determined period of time, except the position obtained in a schooling race without pari-mutuel betting;

(c)  the age of the horses;

(d)  the sex of the horses;

(e)  the number of starts of the horses during a determined period of time;

(f)  special criteria in the case of foreign horses that do not have a sufficient number of starts in Canada or the United States; (course avec conditions)

(16)  “race with elimination heats” means a special race comprising heats, the purpose of which is to allow the best horses in each heat to qualify for a final heat; (course d’épreuves éliminatoires)

(17)  “early closing race” means a special race for which the nomination closing time is more than 6 weeks before the date of the race; (course de mise en nomination hâtive)

(18)  “late closing race” means a special race for which the nomination closing time is less than 6 weeks but more than 5 days before the date of the race; (course de mise en nomination tardive)

(19)  “claiming race” means a regular race in which the participating horses are offered for sale at a determined price to any holder of an owner’s licence wishing to claim them, in accordance with sections 105 to 131; (course à réclamer)

(20)  “time trial race” means a race designed to better the performance of a horse, which race may not exceed a time of 2 minutes 10 seconds over a distance of 1 mile; (course contre la montre)

(21)  “qualifying race” means a race in which a horse must establish its ability to participate in a race program in accordance with the qualifying standards determined under section 175; (course de qualification)

(22)  (paragraph revoked);

(23)  “schooling race” means a race organized by an association in order to permit 2-year-old or 3-year-old horses to acquire better experience in competition; (course école)

(24)  “exceptional race” means a race organized by an association in order to allow participation by horses or drivers who would otherwise be ineligible; (course exceptionnelle)

(25)  “futurity race” means a special race for which horses are nominated in their own name or in their dam’s name, either during the gestation period or during the year in which they were born; (course futurity)

(26)  “match race” means a race organized by the owners of the participating horses who establish among themselves the conditions for participation; (course match)

(27)  “matinee race” means a race with or without declaration fees and without a purse; (course matinée)

(28)  “regular race” means a race for which the declaration closing time is scheduled within a period beginning on the 15th day before the race and ending at the time indicated in the conditions for participation or, failing that, not later than noon on the day preceding the race; (course ordinaire)

(29)  “preferred race” means a regular race reserved for the fastest horses participating in a race program or a regular race for which the horses are chosen in accordance with their ability or performance, regardless of their eligibility to participate in a race; (course préférentielle)

(30)  (paragraph revoked);

(31)  “special race” means a race reserved for horses nominated and with an advertised purse, to which are added the nomination fees and any sustaining fees, starting fees or amounts paid by the association; (course spéciale)

(32)  “stake race” means a special race that is held during a year subsequent to the year in which the closing of nominations occurs; (course stake)

(33)  “drug” means a substance or a mixture the use of which is prohibited by a rule of the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux or a substance, its preparations, metabolites, derivatives, isomers or salts mentioned in the Schedule to the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (SOR/91-365), except for the purposes of sections 301 to 308; (drogue)

(34)  “official sample” means a sample of blood, saliva, urine or any other organic fluid taken from a horse, sealed and identified in accordance with the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations; (échantillon officiel)

(35)  “entry” means several horses declared or participating in a race that are owned by the same owner; (écurie couplée)

(36)  “retention area” means a place at a race track specially equipped for taking official samples from horses; (enclos)

(37)  “trainer” means the holder of a trainer’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing; (entraîneur)

(38)  “handicap” means a concession granted in a race on the performance, pedigree, winnings or sex of the horses, on the claiming price or on the distance to be run; (handicap)

(39)  “post time” means the time set for the arrival of the horses at the starting gate; (heure de départ)

(40)  “declaration” means the receipt by the race secretary of a declaration form, duly completed, in order that a horse may participate in a specific race; (inscription)

(41)  “racing judge” means a racing judge appointed under section 48 of the Act and to whom the board has delegated powers under section 49 of the Act; (juge des courses)

(42)  “paddock judge” means a paddock judge appointed under section 48 of the Act and to whom the board has delegated powers under section 50 of the Act; (juge de paddock)

(43)  “finish line” means a line perpendicular to the racing strip, drawn with a theodolite, from a point situated in the middle of the racing judges’ stand to a point situated on the other side of the racing strip; (ligne d’arrivée)

(44)  “starting line” means a real vertical line which is marked on the inside of the racing strip and at which the recording of the duration of a race begins; (ligne de départ)

(44.1)  “safety line” means a real vertical line which is marked on the inside of the racing strip not less than 200 ft from the beginning of the first turn;

(45)  “nomination” means the deposit, in a place specified for that purpose, of a nomination form, duly completed, in order to declare a horse in a special race; (mise en nomination)

(46)  “objection” means a verbal statement by a driver to the racing judges alleging that a violation of these Rules has been committed; (objection)

(47)  “racing official” means a person exercising any of the duties described in Chapter II; (officiel de courses)

(48)  “groom” means the holder of a groom’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing; (palefrenier)

(49)  “participant” means an owner, an agent, a trainer, a driver or a groom; (participant)

(50)  “protest” means a statement in writing, sent to the racing judges, alleging that:

(a)  a horse is ineligible for a race;

(b)  the declaration or the nomination of a horse was done incorrectly;

(c)  a violation of these Rules has been committed by a racing official, an association, a participant or a sponsor with the consequence of preventing a horse or a driver from participating in a race or permitting a horse or a driver to do so; (plainte)

(51)  “race program” means the number of races held consecutively on the same occasion; (programme de courses)

(52)  “owner” means the holder of an owner’s licence issued under section 5 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing; (propriétaire)

(53)  “Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations” means the Regulations made by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada under section 204 of the Criminal Code (R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46); (Règlement sur la surveillance du pari mutuel)

(54)  “official result” means the order of finish assigned to horses at the end of a race and declared official by the racing judges for the purposes of pari-mutuel betting; (résultat officiel)

(55)  “preliminary score” means a brief period of exercise performed by the horses in front of the principal grandstand, after the parade and before the start of a race; (sortie préliminaire)

(56)  “racing strip” means the part of a race track on which the race is held; (tracé)

(57)  “veterinarian” means a veterinarian who holds a veterinarian’s licence issued under section 7 of the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing. (vétérinaire)

Decision 90-09-19, s. 1; Decision 96-05-27, s. 1; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 1.

DIVISION II SCOPE

2. These Rules apply to Standardbred horse races held at a professional race track as defined in the Regulation respecting Standardbred horse racing (chapter C-72.1, r. 2).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 2; Decision 96-05-27, s. 2; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 2.

CHAPTER II RACING OFFICIALS

DIVISION I GENERAL

3. For a race program held at a professional race track, the following racing officials must be present:

(1)  at least 2 racing judges who hold a Class A racing judge’s licence, one of whom shall act as president;

(2)  a paddock judge;

(3)  a veterinarian of the board;

(4)  a race secretary;

(5)  a starting judge;

(6)  a program director or a chart maker;

(7)  an equipment judge who may also act as a horse identifier;

(8)  an electronic timer official and a manual timer;

(9)  a horse identifier.

Where an association so desires, patrol judges may also be present for such a program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 3; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 3.

4. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 4; Decision 96-05-27, s. 3.

5. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 5; Decision 96-05-27, s. 3.

6. The board shall assign to the different race tracks the racing judges, the paddock judges and the veterinarians of the board:

(1)  where the race program is held at a professional race track;

(2)  (paragraph revoked).

In those cases, the board shall determine which of the racing judges assigned to a given race track shall act as president. In case of a tie vote, the president shall decide.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 6; Decision 96-05-27, s. 4; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 2; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 4.

7. The association that holds a race program shall designate the racing officials other than those referred to in section 6 who must be present for that program and, where applicable, it shall bear the cost of their remuneration.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 7.

8. A racing official may not, in the performance of his duties, leave his work station without the permission of the president of the racing judges or, in the president’s absence, of the person he has designated to replace him.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 8.

DIVISION II RACING JUDGES

9. The racing judges shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  they shall supervise and control the holding and conduct of races;

(2)  they shall control the declaration and the scratching of horses and the claims for horses;

(3)  they shall observe the behaviour of drivers and of horses during a race;

(4)  they shall remain in communication with the other racing officials during each race;

(5)  they shall determine the position order of the horses at the finish line and the result of each race;

(6)  they shall hear and decide any violations of these Rules, objections, protests or complaints and shall impose administrative measures in accordance with the powers delegated to them under section 49 of the Act;

(7)  they shall establish a “Qualifying List” containing the names of the horses that, in the cases provided for by these Rules, must be entered therein;

(8)  they shall draft and forward to the board, after each race program, a report signed by each of them concerning any incidents or violations that occurred during the program and the decisions rendered;

(9)  they shall perform any other tasks required by their duties.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 9.

10. The racing judges shall be present at the race track at least 2 hours and 30 minutes before the post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program.

They shall be present at the judges’ stand at least 15 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program and remain there at least 10 minutes after the end of the final race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 10.

11. Subject to any contrary provision of these Rules, the racing judges shall perform their duties collectively at the race track where they officiate.

They may exercise their authority over the other racing officials and over the participants.

In the performance of their duties, they shall have access to all areas of the race track where they officiate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 11.

12. Where the racing judges ascertain that a horse at a race track is unfit to participate in a race because it is sick, is lame or is otherwise handicapped, because it chokes, falls or suffers from epistaxis during a race or during the warm-up period preceding a race, they may require that the horse be examined by a veterinarian of the board, whether or not a race program is in progress, and that the veterinarian report to them the results of the examination.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 12; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 3.

13. The racing judges shall instruct the veterinarian of the board to enter on the “Veterinarian’s List” the name of any horse that:

(1)  has been scratched from a race because of its poor physical condition;

(2)  is unfit to participate in a race because it is sick;

(3)  is unfit to participate in a race because it is lame or is otherwise handicapped;

(4)  chokes or falls during a race or during the warm-up period preceding a race;

(5)  suffers from epistaxis during a race or during the warm-up period preceding a race.

Where the name of a horse is entered on the “Veterinarian’s List”, that horse may not start in a race, other than a special race, before the expiry of 6 full days from the date on which it was to start or, failing that, from the date of its entry on the “Veterinarian’s List”.

At the expiry of that 6-day period, the name of a horse entered in the “Veterinarian’s List” shall be deleted therefrom.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 13; Decision 96-05-27, s. 5; Decision 97-09-02, s. 1; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 4.

DIVISION III PADDOCK JUDGE

14. The paddock judge shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall supervise and control the entry to and the exit from the paddock of persons having access thereto and of horses;

(2)  he shall direct the activities of the equipment judge and of the horse identifier;

(3)  (paragraph revoked);

(4)  he shall check broken or defective equipment, the horseshoes, the head numbers and the saddle pads of the horses for each race;

(5)  he shall supervise the activities of the blacksmith;

(6)  he shall group together the horses for the same race in the paddock stalls and give the signal to enter the racing strip for the parade;

(7)  he shall inform the racing judges of any cause that delays the start of a race or otherwise affects or modifies the holding of a race;

(8)  he shall inform the racing judges of the reasons why a horse returns to the paddock after entering the racing strip for the parade;

(9)  he shall perform any other tasks required by his duties.

He shall be present in the paddock at least 2 hours before the post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program and at least 1 hour and 30 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program without pari-mutuel betting.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 14; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 5.

15. The paddock judge may exercise his authority over the persons and the horses that are in the paddock.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 15.

DIVISION IV VETERINARIAN OF THE BOARD

16. The veterinarian of the board shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall verify the Coggins test attestation for each soliped allowed or boarded at a race track and shall keep a register indicating the name of the horse or the name and description of the soliped as well as the date on which it underwent that test;

(2)  he shall verify the name, sex and age of each horse participating in a race;

(3)  he shall examine and observe the behaviour of each horse at a race track at any of the following times and places:

(a)  in its stall;

(b)  in the paddock;

(c)  during the warm-up period preceding the race in which it is to participate;

(d)  during the parade;

(e)  during a race;

(f)  after a race;

(4)  he shall examine each horse that is scratched from a race because of its state of health, its physical condition or the fact that it was involved in a serious incident before the race;

(5)  he shall examine any horse at the request of the racing judges and report the results;

(6)  he shall enter the name of a horse on the “Veterinarian’s List” at the request of the racing judges.

He shall be present at the race track at least 2 hours before the post time of the first race of a race program and remain there throughout the program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 16.

17. Notwithstanding subparagraph 3 of section 16, the veterinarian of the board may examine and observe the behaviour of a horse at any other time.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 17.

18. During a race program, the veterinarian of the board may, in an emergency, treat a horse.

Where the veterinarian referred to in section 38 is not available and the veterinarian of the board is of the opinion that a horse injured in a race must urgently be put down, the veterinarian of the board shall do so.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 18.

DIVISION V RACE SECRETARY

19. The race secretary shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall prepare and organize the races held by the association that employs him;

(2)  he shall ensure that the races held by that association are in compliance with these Rules;

(3)  he shall receive and conserve the eligibility certificates of the horses that participate in the races and of the horses boarded on the premises owned or operated by the association;

(4)  he shall conserve the documents that are given to him by the participants and the documents relative to the races that he organizes;

(5)  he shall verify the eligibility certificates of the horses and the other documents that are given to him under these Rules;

(6)  he shall establish classes of horses and verify that the horses declared in those classes are eligible;

(7)  he shall determine the time standards required for a horse to be able to participate in a race at the race track where he performs his duties;

(8)  he shall establish and post the conditions for participating in a race;

(9)  he shall compile the declarations and establish a list of the horses declared for the various races;

(10)  he shall establish the preference date for each of the horses declared in accordance with section 201;

(11)  he shall conduct the drawing of the post positions or see that it is conducted;

(12)  he shall prepare a list of the horses that are to start in a race for the purposes of the printed program;

(13)  he shall perform any other tasks required by his duties.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 19.

DIVISION VI STARTING JUDGE

20. The starting judge shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall give the official signal for the start of each race;

(2)  he shall ensure that the start is in accordance with these Rules;

(3)  he shall exercise complete authority over the drivers and the horses participating in a race from the time of the formation of the parade until he gives the official start signal;

(4)  he shall take his place in the starting gate vehicle 10 minutes before the start of each race of a race program;

(5)  he shall forward to the racing judges, after each race program, a report of the incidents that he has noted;

(6)  he shall follow the progress of the race from his starting gate and report his observations to the racing judges.

He shall be present in the paddock at least 45 minutes before the starting time of the first race of a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 20; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 6.

21. The starting judge may:

(1)  give all necessary orders and take all necessary measures to ensure a proper start;

(2)  recommend to the racing judges in writing that the name of a horse having problems in making a proper start in a race be entered on the “Qualifying List” or recommend that its name be scratched from the list when he judges the horse to be fit to make a start;

(3)  hold exercises to train horses to make proper starts using the starting technique employed at the race track where he performs his duties.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 21.

DIVISION VII PROGRAM DIRECTOR

22. The program director shall publish, for each pari-mutuel betting race of a race program, a printed program including all the information prescribed in section 34.

He shall also assign a morning line to each horse participating in a race by making an estimate of the chances that each horse has of winning the race or causing such an estimate to be made.

He may also perform the duties of the chart maker.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 22.

DIVISION VIII CHART MAKER

23. The chart maker shall collect and record, for each horse participating in a race the information prescribed in section 81.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 23; Decision 96-05-27, s. 6.

DIVISION IX EQUIPMENT JUDGE

24. The equipment judge shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall check the equipment of the horses that are in the paddock before a race in which those horses participate;

(2)  he shall establish and keep up to date a card for the equipment worn by each horse participating in a race;

(3)  he shall check the equipment of each horse participating in a race to ensure that it corresponds exactly to the equipment described on the card referred to in subparagraph 2;

(4)  he shall report to the paddock judge any change or modification in a horse’s equipment.

He shall be present in the paddock at least 45 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 24.

DIVISION X PATROL JUDGE

25. The patrol judge shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall supervise the activities on the racing strip during a race;

(2)  he shall remain constantly in communication with the racing judges;

(3)  he shall report to the racing judges:

(a)  any action that may influence the holding of a race or the result thereof;

(b)  any violation of these Rules;

(c)  any irregularity in the gait or physical condition of a horse;

(d)  any change, absence or defect in a horse’s equipment for a race;

(4)  he shall forward to the racing judges, after each race program, a detailed report of his observations and of any violations to these Rules that he has noted during the race program;

(5)  he shall perform any other tasks required by his duties.

He shall be present on the racing strip at least 45 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 25.

DIVISION XI TIMER

26. The timer shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall determine the exact duration of each race;

(2)  he shall start his chronometer as soon as the nose of the first horse crosses the starting line;

(3)  he shall record the time that the leader takes to cover each quarter mile for each 1-mile race;

(4)  he shall certify, after each race, the duration of the race recorded in the report of the racing judges.

He shall be present at his station at least 15 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 26.

DIVISION XII HORSE IDENTIFIER

27. The horse identifier shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall identify the horses that are in the paddock before a race in which those horses are to participate;

(2)  he shall check the tattoo of each horse in order to ensure that it is the tattoo of the horse declared in the race;

(3)  he shall report to the paddock judge any doubt or error pertaining to the identity of a horse.

He shall be present in the paddock at least 45 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 27.

CHAPTER III PARTICIPANTS AND ASSOCIATIONS

DIVISION I GENERAL

28. When a licence holder is carrying on the occupation, function or business activity for which a licence was issued to him, he shall have that licence in his possession and show it when so requested by a racing judge, another racing official, a security agent or a person authorized by the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 28.

29. At a race track, a licence holder may not, for the carrying on of an activity for which a licence is prescribed under paragraph 1 of section 105 of the Act, hire a person who does not hold a licence issued for that purpose by the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 29.

30. A licence holder may have access only to the area of a race track where he has to carry on the occupation, function or business activity for which the licence was issued to him.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 30.

31. Subject to section 234, in areas other than those intended for spectators, any person who does not hold a licence issued by the board must be accompanied by the holder of an owner’s, an agent’s, a trainer’s or a driver’s licence, and the holder shall answer for that person as long as that person remains on the premises.

This Rule does not apply to officials of the Government of Canada or the Gouvernement du Québec carrying on their profession, trade or occupation, nor does it apply to the racing officials and the employees of the association in the performance of their duties.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 31; Decision 96-05-27, s. 7; Decision 97-09-02, s. 2.

32. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 32; Decision 91-03-06, s. 1; Decision 96-05-27, s. 8; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 7.

DIVISION II ASSOCIATION

33. An association shall cause the following notice to appear in conspicuous view on any program pertaining to a race program:

“This association holds a racing licence issued by the Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux and conducts its race program in accordance with the Act respecting racing (chapter C-72.1) and the Rules and Regulations made under that Act.”.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 33.

34. During each race program with pari-mutuel betting, an association shall make available to the public a printed program that shall contain the following information or corresponding abbreviation or symbol:

(1)  the name of the association;

(2)  the date of the race program;

(3)  the order in which each race on the program is held;

(4)  the distance to be covered in each race;

(5)  the gait at which each race is to be run;

(6)  the name, sex, colour and age of the horses participating in each race;

(7)  the names of the sire, the dam and the dam’s sire of each of the horses participating in each race;

(8)  the names of the owner, the stable, the breeder, the trainer and the driver of each of the horses participating in each race;

(9)  the distinctive colours of the drivers;

(10)  the colour of the horses’ saddle cloth for each race;

(11)  the number of the race;

(12)  the types of bets for each race;

(13)  the post position of each horse in each race;

(14)  the amount of the purse in each race;

(15)  in the case of a claiming race, the amount for which each horse may be claimed, including the allowances referred to in section 109;

(16)  the morning line for each horse in each race;

(17)  the official performance of each horse in each of the last 6 races in which it has participated that were run at the same gait as the race in which it is participating or, where the horse has no official performance, a summary of the information prescribed in section 81;

(18)  the indication “vet scratch” or “retrait vétérinaire” where a horse has been scratched from a race by the veterinarian within the period referred to in paragraph 17;

(19)  for the current year and the preceding year, a summary of the following data:

(a)  the speed records of each horse with the exception of those realized during a time trial race, using the abbreviation “qua” to indicate that a record was established during a qualifying race;

(b)  the number of starts for each horse for races with a purse and the number of its 1st, 2nd and 3rd place finishes;

(c)  the winnings of each horse;

(20)  the life record of each horse and the age at which it was established;

(21)  the life winnings of each horse;

(22)  the abbreviation “gest” after the sex of the horse, where it is a mare in foal;

(23)  the abbreviation “chat” after the sex of the horse, where it is a mare that has been spayed;

(24)  the abbreviation “dvn” after the sex of the horse, where it is a horse that has undergone nerve blocking;

(25)  the abbreviation “c” where a horse has been claimed;

(26)  the abbreviation “cbc” where a horse may be claimed.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 34; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 8.

35. An association shall, from 2 hours before the post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program until 15 minutes after the end of the last race of that program, maintain continuous supervision of each of the areas of the race track where it holds its race program so that only the persons authorized under these Rules may have access thereto.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 35; Decision 96-05-27, s. 9; Décision 2000-11-08, a. 9.

36. An association shall, from 2 hours before the post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program until 15 minutes after the end of the last race of that program, keep a register in which it shall record the names of the persons entering or leaving the paddock and the time at which they enter or leave.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 36; Decision 96-05-27, s. 10.

37. An association shall ensure that a blacksmith is present at the race track at least 45 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program and throughout the duration of that program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 37.

38. The association shall post in the paddock a list of the veterinarians on duty and shall ensure that the veterinarians are available at least 45 minutes before the post time of the first race of a race program and throughout that program.

A veterinarian on duty shall not be a veterinarian of the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 38; Decision 96-05-27, s. 11.

39. An association shall at all times maintain a telephone system for communication between the racing judges and the following persons:

(1)  the paddock judge;

(2)  the starting judge;

(3)  the veterinarian of the board;

(4)  the officials of the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food of Canada;

(5)  the person in charge of the pari-mutuel system;

(6)  the display board operator;

(7)  the official at the photo finish service;

(8)  the chief test inspector;

(9)  the official announcer;

(10)  the officials responsible for the video recording of the races;

(11)  the chart maker.

For conducting its business, the association may maintain a telephone system for communication with the paddock judge.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 39.

40. The association shall keep up to date a register listing the names of the trainer and the owner of any horse boarded in a stable at the race track where it holds races.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 40.

41. An association may not expel from the race track a horse that is legally at the track without giving 48 hours’ notice to the owner or, as the case may be, the trainer of that horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 41; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 10.

41.1. An association shall conclude, for the entire term of its racing licence, a contract with a laboratory to carry out analyses of the blood plasma of an annual average of 2 horses participating in each race on the racing programs that it holds in order to determine the concentration of free carbon dioxide (TCO2).

The contract must provide that the laboratory has the qualified personnel and the equipment needed to determine the concentration of free carbon dioxide (TCO2) in the blood plasma. The contract must also provide that the owners and employees of the laboratory, their spouses or their dependants are not owners or operators of a race track or owners or trainers of a racehorse.

In addition, the contract must provide that the laboratory undertakes to:

(1)  take blood samples from the jugular vein of each designated horse within 20 minutes preceding the race or at least 90 minutes after the end of the race;

(2)  collect the blood samples in at least 2 separator tubes for each horse designated;

(3)  centrifuge the blood samples within 20 minutes from their withdrawal and preserve them in a refrigerator until they are shipped to the laboratory;

(4)  send the centrifuged blood samples to the laboratory in an insulated container;

(5)  communicate the results of the analysis to the board;

(6)  take security measures to ensure the integrity of the chain of possession of the samples.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 11; Decision 2002-06-12, s. 1.

41.2. An association shall have autopsies carried out, at its own expense, by an independent third party on the carcass of any horse that dies after starting a race. The association must provide under confidential cover the owner of the horse and the board with the results of the autopsy showing in particular the reason for the death of the horse.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 11.

41.3. An association may not sell, exchange or reimburse a minor for a receipt attesting to a bet on a race. The association must display this Rule in plain view near the window where bets are made and must publish it in its printed program.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 11.

DIVISION III OWNER OF A HORSE

42. The owner of a horse shall carry on its activities under a stable name where it is one of the following:

(1)  a legal person;

(2)  a natural person who conducts business under a firm name;

(3)  a group composed of 5 or more owners.

The stable name shall be the same as that appearing on the declaration of registration filed with the enterprise registrar in accordance with the provisions of the Act respecting the legal publicity of enterprises (chapter P-44.1). Where the name is a designating number, the stable name shall be that number and the name of a director designated by the board of directors of the legal person.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 42; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 12.

43. As soon as a horse is boarded at the stables of a race track or is declared in a race, the owner of that horse shall declare to the association the name of the horse’s trainer and shall immediately notify the association of any change.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 43; Decision 96-05-27, s. 12.

DIVISION IV AGENT

44. Where so requested by a racing official, an agent shall show the document attesting to his appointment as an agent, signed by the owner that made him its agent.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 44.

DIVISION V TRAINER

45. The trainer of a horse shall be responsible to the owner of the horse for all of its training activity, and that trainer and his replacement shall be listed as its trainer in the program.

The trainer of a horse shall ensure that the information he provides to an association concerning the horse is truthful.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 45; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 13.

46. Subject to section 47, a trainer shall be responsible for the physical condition of the horse that he trains and for the eligibility of that horse when it is declared in a race.

He shall also ensure that any horse that he trains and that is to start in a race is subject to strict supervision to prevent any person from administering a drug to it.

He may not declare a horse in a race or have the horse start in a race if he believes that the horse is not in condition to run in a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 46.

47. A trainer who leaves the race track where the horses that he trains are participating in races may have a substitute trainer take his place, and the agreement of the substitute trainer to act in his place shall be transmitted to the racing judges.

The trainer shall be responsible for any horse that he declares in a race.

During the period of substitution, the substitute trainer shall be responsible for any horse that he declares after his agreement to replace the trainer has been transmitted to the racing judges. The 2 trainers may be held jointly responsible for the physical condition of the same horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 47.

47.1. For each horse he trains, the trainer shall establish a training program compatible with its abilities.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 14.

47.2. The trainer shall provide the horse owner who makes the request with all information concerning the training activities of his horse.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 14.

47.3. A trainer may not induce a person to claim a horse he trains.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 14.

47.4. When a trainer’s horse takes part in a race, a trainer who holds a driver’s licence may not drive in the race a horse other than the one that he trains.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 14.

47.5. The trainer shall equip with handholds the driving reins of a horse participating in a race.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 14.

DIVISION VI VETERINARIAN

48. The veterinarian shall be responsible for the state of health of a horse that he treats or to which he has prescribed or administered a drug or a medication.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 48.

49. The veterinarian may be admitted to the paddock during a race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 49.

50. The veterinarian may not treat a horse or administer to it a drug or a medication where, during a race program, the horse is in the paddock, in the retention area or on the racing strip, unless he has obtained the permission of the veterinarian of the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 50.

51. Where the veterinarian administers to a horse a drug, a medication or any other substance which may yield positive results when analyzed or where he recommends that such drug, medication or substance be administered to a horse, he shall indicate to the trainer of the horse, as the case may be:

(1)  the quantity of drug, medication or substance administered;

(2)  the quantity of drug, medication or substance to be administered;

(3)  the period of time during which the taking of an official sample of the drug, medication or substance administered or to be administered is likely to yield positive results.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 51.

CHAPTER IV HORSE

52. In order to participate in a race, a horse shall:

(1)  have been tattooed according to the standards of the Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association;

(2)  hold an eligibility certificate and a registration certificate;

(3)  be at least 2 years old and, in the case of a race held at a professional race track, not more than 14 years old;

(4)  not have undergone nerve blocking by physical or chemical means other than in the posterior digital nerves; any nerve blocking that has been done must not have been at a level higher than the pastern;

(5)  breathe without the help of a tube;

(6)  not be blind;

(7)  belong to an owner;

(8)  satisfy the other conditions or requirements prescribed in these Rules.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 52; Decision 96-05-27, s. 13; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 15; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 5.

53. Subject to the second paragraph, an association shall ensure that at the race track where it holds races, only a soliped holding an attestation, dated within the previous 24 months, indicating that it has undergone a Coggins test with negative results is allowed or boarded at that race track.

The horse for which such an attestation has been provided upon declaration to the race secretary, in accordance with section 193, may then be allowed access to the track and to start in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 53; Decision 96-05-27, s. 14; Decision 97-09-02, s. 3; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 16.

54. Where a horse is sold, its new owner or the agent of that owner shall, within 20 days following the date of the sale, forward to the Standardbred Canada or the United States Trotting Association, as the case may be, the registration certificate of that horse to notify it of the change of owners.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 54.

55. Where a horse is sold, neither the horse’s owner, the agent of that owner nor the horse’s trainer may cause it to participate in more than 1 race from the time of the sale until the change of ownership has been made on a registration certificate by the Canadian Standardbred Horse Association or the United States Trotting Association, as the case may be, unless the new owner, his agent or the trainer demonstrates to the racing judges that the documents necessary to give notice of that change have been forwarded to one of those organizations.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 55.

56. Only a representative of the Standardbred Canada, the United States Trotting Association or a racing judge may make corrections to the information listed on an eligibility certificate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 56.

57. Subject to section 52, where a mare is spayed or where a horse has undergone nerve blocking, its owner or its trainer shall so notify the association and the board in writing in order to be able to declare it in a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 57.

CHAPTER V CONDUCT AND ETHICS

58. No person may commit an act of cruelty to a horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 58.

59. Neither the employees, officers nor directors of an association involved in the preparation, holding and outcome of races, shall have their own horses race at a race track where they carry on their occupation or duties.

The first paragraph does not apply to a member of the board of directors of a legal person or a partnership that holds a racing licence unless the member is involved in the preparation, holding or outcome of races.

A racing official shall not take part in a race as an owner, authorized agent, driver, trainer or groom.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 59; Decision 96-05-27, s. 15; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 17.

60. The racing judges shall not bet on the results of races in Québec; the other racing officials shall not bet on the result of the races in which they officiate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 60.

61. The program director is the only racing official who may indicate a choice of horses on a program or make any comment whatsoever on the choice of a horse in relation to pari-mutuel betting.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 61.

62. A licence holder shall not:

(1)  make or accept an offer or a promise of a bribe;

(2)  suggest or commit a dishonest or fraudulent act;

(3)  hold a race or drive in a race in any way other than fairly and honestly;

(4)  fraudulently change or attempt to change the result of a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 62.

63. A licence holder shall inform the board of any offer or promise of an illicit payment or any other dishonest proposition of which he is aware.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 63.

64. After the declaration of his horse in a race, a participant shall not state or indicate to anyone that, during the race, he will not require the necessary effort from his horse to win the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 64.

65. A participant whose horse is declared in a race shall not require a cash premium or other consideration from the association in order for the horse to participate in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 65.

66. A participant shall not prepare a racing strategy or tactic with another participant for the purpose of favouring or hampering a horse in a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 66.

67. Where a horse participates in a race, neither its owner, the owner’s agent, its trainer, its driver, its groom nor their employees shall bet, incite anyone to bet on their behalf or have in their possession pari-mutuel tickets on another horse participating in the same race.

For win pools, they may bet or have someone bet on their behalf, but only where they choose their horse or their entry to finish in one of the first 3 places.

For features, they may bet or have someone bet on their behalf, but only where they choose their horse or their entry to finish in one of the first 3 places.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 67; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 18.

68. Neither a driver, a trainer nor a groom shall go into the grandstands or any other place at the race track where the public has access until he has changed into street clothes, unless he has obtained the permission of the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 68.

69. A driver shall not drive in a race in such a way as to prevent his horse from finishing the race among the leaders.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 69.

69.1. A driver may not claim a horse he drives unless a period of 30 days has lapsed since he drove the horse.

However, a driver may claim a horse of which he was an owner within the last 30 days.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 19.

69.2. Where a horse belonging to a driver takes part in a race, a driver may not drive a horse other than his own in the race.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 19.

70. Any of the following are violations:

(1)  for a driver, driving a horse in a race while his licence is suspended;

(2)  for a trainer, carrying on a training activity while his licence is suspended;

(3)  for a groom, taking care of a horse while his licence is suspended;

(4)  for a licence holder, not appearing before a racing judge when summoned to appear.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 70; Decision 96-05-27, s. 16.

71. No person may influence or attempt to influence an employee of the board, a racing official or any other licence holder in the performance of his duties.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 71.

72. Only a person authorized by the racing judges or summoned by them shall have access to the racing judges’ stand while they are occupying it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 72.

73. No person may commit any act or take any measures whatsoever or incite anyone to commit any act or take any measures whatsoever that could result in preventing a race from being held or in delaying the start of a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 73.

74. No person may behave toward others:

(1)  incorrectly;

(2)  disrespectfully;

(3)  insultingly.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 74; Decision 96-05-27, s. 17.

75. No person may:

(1)  disturb the peace;

(2)  threaten a person;

(3)  assault a person.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 75.

CHAPTER VI RACES

DIVISION I GENERAL

76. The classes and subclasses of races that an association may hold are:

(1)  the following regular races, with or without a handicap:

(a)  a conditioned race;

(b)  a claiming race;

(c)  a preferred race, either classified, preferred, invitational;

(2)  the following special races with or without a handicap:

(a)  a stake race;

(b)  a futurity race;

(c)  an early closing race;

(d)  a late closing race;

(3)  the following feature races:

(a)  a qualifying race;

(b)  a time trial race;

(c)  a match race;

(d)  a schooling race;

(e)  a matinee race;

(4)  exceptional races.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 76; Decision 97-09-02, s. 4.

76.1. For the purposes of these Rules, at least 8 races must be held during a race program.

Decision 2012-02-15, s. 6.

77. The start of the races of a race program shall be at intervals of not more than 20 minutes, which shall be calculated from the time when the word “official” appears on the display board until the time fixed for the next race.

The racing judges may allow a longer interval where circumstances so justify.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 77.

78. The association shall fix the post time of each of the races of a race program.

Within the interval prescribed in the first paragraph of section 77, the association may delay the post time only once and for not more than 2 minutes.

As soon as the association decides to delay the post time, it must so inform the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 78.

79. The race secretary shall determine the time standards for a horse to be able to participate in a race, shall forward them to the racing judges and shall post them in places where they may be consulted by participants.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 79.

80. The owner of a horse, the agent of that owner or the trainer who declares a horse in a regular or special race shall ensure that the horse has an official performance.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 80.

81. The performance of a horse shall be official where it participates in a race at a given gait and where the chart maker collects and records the following information:

(1)  the name of the horse participating in the race;

(2)  the date on which the race is held;

(3)  where the race was held in the afternoon, the abbreviation “a”;

(4)  the name of the association holding the race;

(5)  the length of the racing strip if it is not a half-mile strip;

(6)  where a pacer has raced without hopples or a trotter has raced with hopples, the symbol “+”;

(7)  the condition of the racing strip;

(8)  the type of races and the conditions for participation; where it is a claiming race, the claiming price indicated shall not include the allowances referred to in section 109;

(9)  the distance to be covered in the race;

(10)  the gait at which the race is held;

(11)  the post position of the horse;

(12)  the position of the horse:

(a)  at the quarter-mile, at the half-mile and at the finish line, and the distance between it and the leader at the finish line, for a race shorter than 1 mile;

(b)  at the quarter-mile, at the half-mile, at three-quarters of a mile, at the entrance to the last straight section of the racing strip before the finish line and at the finish line and, in the latter 2 cases, the distance between it and the leader, for a race of 1 mile;

(c)  at the quarter-mile, at the half-mile, at the mile, at the entrance to the last straight section of the racing strip before the finish line and at the finish line and, in the latter 2 cases, the distance between it and the leader, for a race longer than 1 mile;

(d)  at the finish line indicating the distance between the leader and the following horse by the abbreviation:

i.  “n” where the distance is a nose;

ii.  “hd” where the distance is a head;

iii.  “nk” where the distance is a neck;

(13)  the official position of finish of the horse;

(14)  the time taken by the leader to cover:

(a)  the quarter-mile, the half-mile and the total distance of the race, for a race shorter than 1 mile;

(b)  the quarter-mile, the half-mile, three-quarters of a mile and the mile, for a 1-mile race;

(c)  the quarter-mile, the half-mile, the mile and the total distance of the race, for a race longer than 1 mile;

(15)  each horse’s running time, to a fifth of a second;

(16)  the final pari-mutuel odds of the horse;

(17)  the name of the driver of the horse;

(18)  the names of the horses that finished first, second and third as determined by the official result or by the racing judges’ decision concerning the distribution of the purse;

(19)  the temperature at the time the race was held and the abbreviation “V” if it was windy;

(20)  where the horse ran second to the rail for approximately a quarter of a mile, the symbol “O”;

(21)  where the horse broke its gait, the symbol “X”;

(22)  where the horse broke its equipment, the abbreviation “be”;

(23)  where the horse was interfered with, the abbreviation “i”;

(24)  where the horse suffered from epistaxis, the abbreviation “bl”;

(25)  where the horse choked, the abbreviation “ch”;

(26)  where the horse was favored at the start of the race, the symbol “+”;

(27)  where the horse was the victim of an accident, the abbreviation “acc”;

(28)  where the horse fell, the abbreviation “Fell”;

(29)  where the horse did not finish the race, the abbreviation “DNF”;

(30)  where the horse finished in a dead heat, the abbreviation “dh”;

(31)  where the horse was disqualified, the abbreviation “dq”;

(32)  where the horse fell behind, the abbreviation “dis”;

(33)  where there was no betting on that race, the abbreviation “nb”;

(34)  where there was no betting on that horse, the abbreviation “ba”;

(35)  where there were no betting tickets on that horse, the abbreviation “no”;

(36)  where the horse was part of an entry, the abbreviation “e” near the final pari-mutuel odds of the horse;

(37)  where a break in gait was caused by a breakage of equipment, the abbreviation “ex”;

(38)  where a break in gait was caused by an interference, the abbreviation “ix”;

(39)  where a horse was grouped with others under the same number for the purposes of pari-mutuel betting, the abbreviation “f”;

(40)  where the time of the horse was disallowed, the abbreviation “T.DIS”;

(41)  where the performance of a horse was established at a time trial race, the abbreviation “TT”;

(42)  where the performance of a horse was established while the horse was driven by a Class D driver, the abbreviation “CD”;

(43)  where the horse was claimed, the abbreviation “c”.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 81.

82. The official performance of a horse shall be obtained during a period of time not exceeding 45 days before the race in which the horse is declared.

Where a horse does not have an official performance and has started in a race held outside North America during the period referred to in the first paragraph, the board may accept a summary of the information prescribed in section 81 as an official performance.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 82; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 7.

83. A horse that does not have an official performance at a given gait for its 6 last starts may not start in a subsequent race at that gait unless it first qualifies in a qualifying race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 83.

84. The racing judges shall enter on the “Qualifying List” the name of a horse that does not meet any of the following conditions:

(1)  it does not offer a satisfactory performance in a race;

(2)  it is unfit to participate in a race because it is dangerous or unmanageable;

(3)  it was scratched for 2 consecutive races in which it was chosen to start because of its health or physical condition;

(4)  it does not start correctly;

(5)  it refuses to start;

(6)  it breaks its gait in 2 consecutive races except where it broke its gait because its equipment broke, because it was interfered with or because it was the victim of an accident;

(7)  in a race subsequent to a qualifying or a schooling race, it does not meet the qualifying standards prescribed in section 175, except where it broke its gait because its equipment broke, because it was interfered with or because it was the victim of an accident;

(8)  it does not meet the time standard established by the race secretary, unless it has been interfered with;

(9)  it causes a second recall in a race, except where its equipment broke, where it was interfered with or where it was the victim of an accident.

During the time the name of a horse appears on the “Qualifying List”, it may not be declared or run in a race, except:

(1)  in a qualifying race;

(2)  in a schooling race;

(3)  in a special race unless the conditions for participation in the special race provide otherwise;

(4)  in a race held on a race track other than the one where it was entered on the “Qualifying List” only for the grounds provided for in subparagraph 8 of the first paragraph as long as it meets the time standard established by the race secretary of the other race track regarding the capacity of the horse to run a certain distance in the time standard required.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 84; Decision 96-05-27, s. 18.

85. The race secretary shall indicate the distance to be covered in a race in the conditions for participation; that distance shall be determined in multiples of one-sixteenth of a mile.

He shall also indicate the number of heats in a race, where applicable.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 85.

86. There shall be an interval of at least 45 minutes between 2 heats of a race in which the same horse participates.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 86.

87. The trainer shall ensure that the sulky used for a race is equipped with 2 shafts parallel to the horse and hitched on each side of the horse. No part of the hitch shafts shall be higher than the lowest part of the horse’s back.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 87.

88. A horse trainer shall ensure that the inside and outside of each wheel of the sulky he uses for a race is equipped with colourless or uniform-coloured wheel disks which cover all the spokes of the wheel.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 88.

89. Where a race is held on a professional race track, the racing judges may require that the sulkies be equipped with mudguards if the condition of the racing strip so requires.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 89; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 8.

90. A trainer whose horse participates in a pari-mutuel betting race shall, during the race and the exercises preceding it, affix to the horse’s saddle pad and headstall a number corresponding to the one appearing for the race on the program, at least 90 minutes before the post time of the first race of the race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 90.

91. The maximum number of horses that may start in a race held at a professional race track is the following according to their place on the following lines:

(1)  in the first line:

(a)  8, on a half-mile racing strip;

(b)  9, on a racing strip longer than half a mile but shorter than seven-eighths of a mile;

(c)  11, on a racing strip not less than seven-eighths of a mile long;

(2)  in the second line:

(a)  3, in a race where the distance to be covered is less than a mile and a half;

(b)  in a race where the distance to be covered is a mile and a half and not more than 2 miles;

i.  4, on a half-mile racing strip;

ii.  5, on a racing strip longer than half a mile;

(c)  in a race where the distance to be covered is more than 2 miles, as many horses as the maximum number of horses that may start in the first line.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 91; Decision 99-05-27, s. 1; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 9.

92. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 92; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 20.

DIVISION II REGULAR RACES

§ 1 . — Conditions for participation

93. For a race meeting held at a professional race track, the race secretary shall post in the race secretarial office, at least 24 hours before the time prescribed for the earliest closing of declarations in a race forming part of a race program, a list of the conditions for participation in each race, the date of each race and at least 1 race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 93; Decision 96-05-27, s. 19; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 10.

94. The race secretary shall indicate, in the conditions for participation in a race, the minimum number of declarations for the race to be held and the maximum number of horses that can start.

Where the minimum number of declarations is reached, the association shall hold the race on the date determined for that purpose.

Where the minimum number of declarations is not reached, the race may be cancelled. However, the declaration period may be extended or the conditions of participation modified by the race secretary, after notifying the participants, in order to attain the minimum number of declarations for the race to be held. He shall then grant preference to the horse already declared.

Where the declaration period is extended, the race secretary, by means of the public address system, shall notify the participants present at the race track and indicate the duration of that extension.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 94; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 21.

95. The race secretary may provide, for each race program, replacement races which he shall designate as such in the list of the conditions for participation.

A replacement race may be held only where a scheduled race on the program is cancelled.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 95.

96. A race, including a replacement race, may be divided to provide the full number of races scheduled in the race program during which it is to be held or in a subsequent race program.

However, a divided race may not replace a scheduled race in a race program for which the required number of declarations has been attained.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 96.

97. Where a race is divided to provide the full number of races scheduled in a race program, the horses that will start in each division shall be determined by a drawing, after the rules respecting preference referred to in section 201 have been applied, unless the conditions for participation in the race provide for divisions based on the age or the sex of the horses.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 97; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 22.

98. Where a preference is granted by the race secretary in the conditions for participation in a race, it shall have priority over the rules of preference established in section 201.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 98.

99. In the list of conditions for participation in a race, the word “start” refers only to participation in a race with a purse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 99.

100. Where a condition for participation in a race is based on the winnings of horses, only winnings rounded off to the nearest dollar shall be taken into account.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 100.

101. No condition for participation in a race shall be based on the individual record of horses or on their capacity to run a certain distance in a fixed time.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 101.

102. For a race where trotters and pacers are mixed, a horse shall meet the conditions for participation imposed on trotters if it is declared as a trotter, or the conditions imposed on pacers if it is declared as a pacer.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 102.

103. The eligibility of a horse for a race shall be established at the closing of declarations for the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 103.

104. Where the conditions for participation in a race are contradictory, the race secretary shall interpret them in favour of the participants; where the interpretation of those conditions remains in issue, a participant may submit the question to the racing judges who shall rule upon it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 104.

§ 2 . — Claiming races

105. A horse may be declared in a claiming race only where the owner or the owner’s agent files with the race secretary or sends him a facsimile, before the closing time for declarations, a duly signed authorization showing the amount for which the horse may be claimed.

For the purposes of this section, a lessee is not an owner.

Where a horse is owned by more than one person, all of those persons shall sign that authorization and the agent’s mandate, where applicable.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 105; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 23.

106. The owner of a mare, the owner’s agent or the trainer may not declare the mare in a claiming race from the date on which she is first serviced to the end of her gestation period.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 106; Decision 96-05-27, s. 20.

107. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 107; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 24.

108. Claims shall be made for the price indicated in the printed program, subject to any printing error that may be corrected by the racing judges and subject to an announcement of that correction to the participants and to the public.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 108.

109. The conditions for participation in a claiming race shall provide that an allowance is granted to any horse 6 years of age or under that complies with the conditions provided for in this section.

The allowance granted to a horse under the third paragraph of this section shall be added to the claiming price for that horse.

The allowance is granted because of the age, sex and pedigree of a horse and shall be determined as follows:

(1)  as to age and sex:

Age of horse               Colts, geldings, stallions,         Fillies and mares
                                 spayed mares     

2 years of age             75% of the claiming price     100% of the claiming price 

3 years of age             50% of the claiming price      75% of the claiming price 

4 years of age             25% of the claiming price      50% of the claiming price  

5 years of age and over     0% of the claiming price      25% of the claiming price   

    

(2)  as to the pedigree, every Québec race horse is entitled, in addition to any other allowance which may be granted because of its age and sex, to an allowance of 25% of the claiming price, if it is 4 years of age or under.

For the purposes of this subparagraph, a Québec race horse is a horse of the Standardbred breed sired by a stallion registered with the board and used for breeding exclusively in Québec during the calendar year of registration.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 109; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 25.

110. A horse declared in a claiming race shall participate in the race for the profit of its owner and not of its claimant.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 110.

111. Only an owner or his agent may claim a horse. He may not submit more than 1 claim for the same horse during a claiming race. However, an owner may not claim his own horse or have it claimed in his name.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 111.

112. No person may:

(1)  make or attempt to make any type of arrangement to claim or not to claim a horse declared in a claiming race;

(2)  prevent or attempt to prevent any person from rightfully claiming a horse declared in a claiming race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 112.

113. An owner or his agent wishing to claim a horse shall:

(1)  fill out the claiming form prescribed in Schedule I;

(2)  place that form in an envelope provided by the board, seal the envelope, and write on it the date of the race, the number of the race and the name of the association;

(3)  submit the envelope to a racing judge at least 1 hour preceding post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of the race program during which the claiming race is scheduled;

(4)  provide a certificate in writing from the association stating that he possesses in an account of the association the amount required to pay the claiming price, the transfer and registration fees and any allowance granted to the horse claimed under the third paragraph of section 109.

He shall have access to the race track in order to submit his claim envelope to a racing judge in accordance with subparagraph 3 of the first paragraph.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 113.

114. Where a racing judge receives a claim envelope, he shall mark the time of receipt on it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 114.

115. The racing judges shall, within 60 minutes preceding post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of the race program during which the claiming race is scheduled, fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall open the claim envelopes;

(2)  he shall rule on the approval or refusal of each claim;

(3)  he shall give to any claimant who so applies a pass allowing him to have access to the paddock during the hour preceding post time of the claiming race in which the horse he claimed participates;

(4)  he shall indicate to the association that a horse has been claimed so that the association can announce the information to the public during the parade.

The racing judges shall keep the content of the claim envelopes confidential until the start of the claiming race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 115; Decision 96-05-27, s. 21.

116. The racing judges shall refuse a claim that is made incorrectly or incompletely as well as a claim not accompanied by the certificate referred to in subparagraph 4 of section 113.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 116.

117. A claimant may withdraw his claim at any time before the 30 minutes preceding post time of the claiming race.

The withdrawal shall be made in writing and submitted to the paddock judge who shall immediately inform the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 117.

118. A claimed horse shall become the property of the claimant 30 minutes before post time of the claiming race, provided the horse started in the race and was not subsequently declared ineligible or the claim is not invalidated by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 118.

119. Where there is more than 1 claimant for the same horse, the new owner of the horse shall be chosen by a drawing conducted by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 119.

120. For a horse to be claimed, it shall start in the race for which it was declared.

Where a horse chosen to start in a claiming race is scratched for a reason other than that provided for in paragraphs 1 to 7 of section 52, and in sections 105, 129 and 190, that horse may be claimed at its next start in Québec at a claiming price not to exceed that of the race from which it was scratched, regardless of the kind of race with a purse in which it participates, provided the start is held within 60 days following the date of the race from which it was scratched.

For the purposes of this section, a horse is deemed to have started where the horse’s nose has reached the starting line or the safety line, as the case may be.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 120; Decision 96-05-27, s. 22.

121. As soon as a claimed horse becomes the property of the claimant, that horse shall continue to be his property whether sick or injured or whether it dies after the official signal for the start of the claiming race has been given.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 121.

122. Immediately after the claiming race, the racing judges shall indicate to the paddock judge the name of the claimed horse, the name of the claimant and the name of the person to whom the horse is to be delivered.

The claimant shall have access to the race track in order to take possession of the horse he claimed.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 122.

123. After the claiming race, the former owner of a claimed horse or his trainer shall allow the claimant to unhitch the horse and examine its equipment.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 123.

124. A claimed horse shall be delivered to the claimant as soon as the racing judges give their authorization. The halter shall then be put on the horse and its shoes shall not have been modified, removed or replaced.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 124.

125. Any of the following situations shall constitute a violation for which the racing judges shall invalidate a claim:

(1)  the claimed horse is declared ineligible;

(2)  the claimant does not hold a licence;

(3)  the owner of the horse declared in a claiming race or the claimant committed fraud or made false representations;

(4)  the claimant submitted more than 1 claim for the same horse;

(5)  there was any type of arrangement to claim a horse declared in a claiming race;

(6)  there was any type of arrangement to prevent an owner or an owner’s agent from claiming a horse;

(7)  one of the persons involved gives erroneous information other than that concerning the sex of the horse.

The racing judges shall invalidate a claim where the printed program contains an error concerning the sex of the claimed horse and the claimant applies therefor within 24 hours following the race during which the horse was claimed.

The racing judges shall invalidate a claim where a horse claimed started in that race while it was under the influence of a drug, medication or other substance which upon analysis gave a positive result and where the claimant applies therefor within 24 hours following receipt of the notice of the racing judges to the effect that the horse underwent a positive test.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 125; Decision 91-03-06, s. 2.

126. Where a claim is invalidated, the former owner shall recover ownership of the horse on the date of the decision by the racing judges and the claimant shall be discharged from paying the claiming price.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 126.

127. Even if a claim is invalidated by the racing judges, a purse won by the claimed horse between the date of the race in which it was claimed and the date on which it reverts to the ownership of its former owner shall belong to the claimant.

During the same period, the claimant shall be responsible for paying the expenses incurred for the boarding, care and training of the horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 127.

128. The claiming price shall be paid to the owner of a claimed horse only when the racing judges give their authorization; such authorization may not be given before the registration certificate of the claimed horse is available for a transfer of ownership, or until the claim can no longer be invalidated.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 128.

129. Where a claimed horse is already declared in a subsequent claiming race, the claimant of that horse in the first claiming race may scratch it from the subsequent claiming race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 129.

130. The claimant of a horse may not, within 60 days following the date of the race in which that horse was claimed, have it participate in a race outside Québec, except in the following cases:

(1)  in a special race for which it was already nominated;

(2)  where the association that held a claiming race does not present any race program for at least 30 days. In that case, the claimant may then have the horse participate in a race on the first day following the presentation of the last race program.

The first paragraph also applies to the claimant who transfers ownership of a horse other than in a claiming race, if the horse participates in a race outside Québec within the 60-day period mentioned in that paragraph, unless one of the cases referred to in subparagraphs 1 and 2 is applicable.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 130; Decision 96-05-27, s. 24; Decision 97-09-02, s. 5; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 26; Erratum, 2000 G.O. 2, 5613.

131. The owner, the owner’s agent or the trainer of a claimed horse may not, within 30 days following the date of its claiming, unless the horse was claimed again in another claiming race:

(1)  declare the horse in a race in the name and for the profit of its former owner;

(2)  have the horse boarded in the stable of its former owner or trainer;

(3)  place the horse in the care or under the supervision of its former owner or trainer.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 131.

§ 3 . — Preferred races

132. The race secretary shall establish a list of the horses that are fit to participate in the various preferred races and shall post it at the race secretarial office before the closing time for declarations respecting such races.

A horse entered on that list may not participate in a conditioned race, unless one of the conditions specifies that such a horse may participate in it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 132.

133. Where a race secretary scratches a horse from the list referred to in section 132, he shall do so not later than on the next day of that race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 133.

134. Unless the owner or the owner’s agent so consent, no 2-year-old horse may be entered on a list of horses fit to participate in a preferred race in which it would have to compete against older horses, before it has won 7 races.

The owner or the owner’s agent may apply at any time to have the horse scratched from the list.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 134.

135. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 135; Decision 96-05-27, s. 25; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 27.

DIVISION III SPECIAL RACES

136. An association or a sponsor wishing to offer an advertised purse for a special race shall obtain the approval of the board for the conditions for participation in that race before they are announced to the public and the forms for the nomination of horses are made available.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 136; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 28.

137. The conditions for participation in a special race may not be such that they require the completion of a formality or the fulfilment of an obligation prior to the approval of those conditions by the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 137.

138. The board may require that an association or a sponsor wishing to offer an advertised purse provide to the board security guaranteeing that the race will be held on the date scheduled and under the conditions for participation that it has approved as well as full payment of the purse. That security may take the form of a guarantee by a financial institution.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 138.

139. The board may confiscate the security provided by an association or a sponsor that does not comply with any of the obligations referred to in section 138.

Confiscation of the security shall be accomplished by a formal notice addressed to the financial institution having provided the security to pay the amount of the security within 10 days of receipt of the notice of the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 139.

140. The conditions for participation in a special race shall include:

(1)  the criteria for the nomination of horses;

(2)  the nomination period;

(3)  the minimum number of nominations for the race to be held;

(4)  the performance standards, where applicable;

(5)  the amount of the nomination fees;

(6)  the sustaining fees and the date on which they are to be paid, where applicable;

(7)  the starting fees and the date on which they are to be paid, where applicable;

(8)  the date and the place at which the race will be held;

(9)  the fact that it will be held in division heats, where applicable;

(10)  the minimum number of participants for there to be more than one division heat and the maximum number of participants in each division heat, where applicable;

(11)  the fact that elimination heats will be held, where applicable;

(12)  the date on which elimination heats will be held, where applicable;

(13)  the criteria for determining which horses will participate in the final heat and the consolation heat, where applicable;

(14)  the date of the final heat and the date of the consolation heat, where applicable;

(15)  the amount of the advertised purse;

(16)  the method of apportioning the advertised purse and the nomination fees and, where applicable, the method of apportioning the sustaining fees, starting fees and other additions;

(17)  the method of apportioning shares that cannot be awarded because the number of horses starting is less than the number of planned shares.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 140.

141. An association or a sponsor establishing the conditions for participation in a stake or futurity race referred to in paragraphs 1 to 7, 9 to 11, 13, and 15 to 17 of section 140 shall submit them to the board for approval at least 30 days before the closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees.

It shall also announce those conditions to the public at least 15 days before the closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 141; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 29.

142. An association or a sponsor establishing the conditions for participation in a stake or futurity race referred to in paragraphs 8, 12 and 14 of section 140 shall submit them to the board for its approval at least 45 days before the date scheduled for the first payment of fees during the year in which the race is to be held.

It shall also announce those conditions to the public at least 15 days before the date of the first payment of fees during the year in which the race is to be held.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 142.

143. An association or a sponsor establishing the conditions for participation in an early closing race or late closing race shall submit them to the board for its approval at least 30 days before the closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees.

It shall also announce those conditions to the public before the nomination period begins.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 143.

144. Notwithstanding section 154, the conditions for participation in a special race may provide for a second closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees in the following cases:

(1)  the second closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees is fixed not later than the closing date for declarations;

(2)  the nomination fees for the second closing date are higher than the total fees they replace, such as nomination, sustaining and starting fees.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 144.

145. A condition for participation in a special race may not be such that it causes a nominated horse to be scratched or an unnominated horse to be added because of its performance in a race held after the closing date for nominations, unless the conditions for participation in that race, approved by the board under section 136, provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 145.

146. A condition for participation in a special race may not be such that it requires a horse to meet a time standard or qualifying standards in order to be able to participate in that race, unless the conditions for participation in that race, approved by the board under section 136, provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 146.

147. An association or a sponsor making any modification to a condition for participation in a special race shall have it approved by the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 147.

148. The nomination and sustaining of a horse in a special race shall:

(1)  be made in writing and be signed by the owner of the horse or the owner’s agent;

(2)  give the name and address of the owner or the agent;

(3)  give the name, tattoo number or failing that, the description of the coat, age, sex and gait of the horse as well as the name of its sire and dam;

(4)  indicate the race for which the horse is nominated or sustained;

(5)  be forwarded to the place shown on the nomination form or on the sustaining form, as the case may be.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 148.

149. An owner or his agent who nominates a horse for a special race shall be responsible for the identity and eligibility of the horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 149.

150. The eligibility of a horse nominated for a special race shall be subject to the payment of the nomination, sustaining and starting fees, where applicable, and to the conditions for participation.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 150.

151. A nomination for a special race is an agreement between the person making it and the person accepting it.

Any question respecting the validity of such a nomination shall be submitted to the board which shall rule on it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 151.

152. Where the same association or the same sponsor offers advertised purses for more than one special race, a horse that has been nominated for one of those races and is declared ineligible for it may participate in another of those races provided that the other race is held at the same gait as the one for which it was initially nominated and that it is eligible for it; the nomination and sustaining fees shall be adjusted, where applicable, unless the conditions for participation in the race provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 152.

153. Where the same association or the same sponsor offers advertised purses for more than one special race, a horse nominated for one of those races may be transferred only once from one race to another due to a change in gait; the nomination and sustaining fees shall be adjusted, where applicable, unless the conditions for participation provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 153.

154. The closing date for nominations and payment of nomination fees for a special race shall be:

(1)  for a stake race for yearlings, on 15 May and, for other horses, on the 15th day of a month;

(2)  for a futurity race, on 15 July of the year of birth of the horse;

(3)  for an early closing race, on the 1st or 15th day of a month, subject to the fact that a 2-year-old horse may not be nominated before 15 February;

(4)  for a late closing race, on the 1st or 15th day of a month.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 154.

155. Where the nomination of a horse for a special race has been accepted, the subsequent sale of that horse has no effect on its eligibility for the race, unless the conditions for participation provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 155.

156. The association or the sponsor offering an advertised purse may cancel the race where, at the closing date for nominations, the number of horses required for the race to be held has not been reached.

The association or the sponsor cancelling the race shall so notify the board and each person who nominated a horse within 20 days following the closing date for nominations. It shall send them the reimbursement of fees paid for the nomination with that notice.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 156.

157. Where a mare nominated for a futurity race fails to give birth to a colt or a filly, the owner or the owner’s agent who nominated it shall be reimbursed for the nomination and sustaining fees he paid provided that he so notifies the association or sponsor offering the advertised purse before 15 December of the year in which that fact was ascertained.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 157.

158. Any sustaining fees for a special race shall be paid:

(1)  for a stake or futurity race, on the 15th day of a month, provided that such payment is not due before 15 February of the year during which a nominated horse reaches the age of 2;

(2)  in all other cases, on the 1st or 15th day of a month.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 158.

159. To be valid, a nomination, together with the nomination fees, shall be filed with the person designated in the conditions for participation before the closing date for nominations.

To sustain the validity of a nomination, the sustaining fees, where applicable, shall be in the possession of the person designated in the conditions for participation not later than the date prescribed for that purpose.

The dates and hours of receipt of a nomination or a sustainment of nomination made by mail, courier service or telecopier are the following:

(1)  the date and hour of the post-mark for mail;

(2)  the date and hour of receipt by the messenger, in the case of courier service;

(3)  the date and hour of receipt by the person designated to receive it, in the case of a telecopier.

The date and hour of receipt of a payment made by mail are those of the post-mark. The date and hour of receipt of a payment made by messenger are those of receipt by the messenger.

Where the closing date for nominations or payment of sustaining fees is a Saturday, 26 December, 2 January or a holiday, it shall be postponed to the following working day.

Where the closing time for nominations is not prescribed, it shall be set at midnight.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 159; Decision 96-05-27, s. 26; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 30; I.N. 2016-01-01 (NCCP).

160. The association or the sponsor offering the advertised purse for a stake, futurity or early closing race shall, within 45 days following the closing date for nominations, provide to the board and to each owner or owner’s agent who nominated a horse a list of the horses nominated.

It shall also, within the 45 days following the date of each payment of the sustaining fees, provide to the board and to each owner or owner’s agent who nominated a horse a list of the horses that are still eligible to participate in the race and a document indicating the cumulative amounts of the nomination and sustaining fees received.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 160.

161. The starting fees for a special race shall be payable by the owners of the horses that are still declared at the closing time for declarations and shall be paid before the start of the race to the person designated in the conditions for participation, whether the horse starts or not.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 161.

162. Failure to make any of the payments prescribed in the conditions for participation in a special race at the time fixed for payment shall constitute a violation, and the horse shall be automatically scratched.

Subject to sections 156 and 157, the payments made shall not be refundable.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 162.

163. An association shall, on the day of a special race, the day before and the day after, make available to each horse participating in it a place in a stable at the race track where the race is being held.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 163.

164. The conditions for participation in an early closing race or late closing race may provide that the association or the sponsor offering the advertised purse may cancel the race where less than 5 horses can participate in it, each entry being considered as only 1 horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 164.

165. A stake or futurity race shall be held where at least 1 horse can participate in it.

Where no horse can participate in it, the race shall be cancelled.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 165; Décision 2000-11-08, a. 31.

166. Where a special race is held in divisions or elimination heats, the horses starting in each division or heat shall be determined by a drawing conducted by the race secretary.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 166.

167. Where a stake or futurity race is held in divisions, the race secretary shall make sure that all divisions are part of the same race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 167.

168. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 168; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 32.

169. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 169; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 32.

170. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 170; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 32.

171. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 171; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 32.

172. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 172; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 32.

DIVISION IV FEATURE RACES

§ 1 . — Qualifying races

173. An association shall hold qualifying races so that a horse can obtain a satisfactory official performance allowing it to be declared in an ordinary or special race.

Those races shall be held on 2 different days at least 7 days before the start of a race meeting and, during the race meeting, twice a week where 5 or more race programs per week are held or once a week in other cases.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 173.

174. A racing judge shall be present to supervise and control each qualifying race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 174.

175. In order to qualify in a qualifying race, a horse shall meet the following qualifying standards:

(1)  it shall not refuse to start;

(2)  it shall start correctly;

(3)  it shall not break its gait unless it has been interfered with;

(4)  it shall offer a satisfactory performance;

(5)  it shall meet the time standard regarding its ability to run a certain distance in a determined time, unless it has been interfered with;

(6)  it shall meet the time standard set by the race secretary, unless it has been interfered with.

Where a horse not less than 4 years old does not successfully qualify in 4 consecutive qualifying races, it shall meet the qualifying standards in 2 other consecutive races.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 175; Decision 96-05-27, s. 27.

176. In order to determine whether a horse meets the time standards regarding its ability to run a certain distance, the racing judge present at the time of a qualifying race shall consider:

(1)  the condition of the racing strip at the time the qualifying race is held;

(2)  the weather conditions at the time the qualifying race is held;

(3)  the performance of the horse in comparison with the class to which it belongs.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 176.

177. Where the conditions for participation in a special race provide for qualifying standards, a horse shall meet those standards in order to participate in it.

In order to determine whether a horse meets the time standard regarding its ability to run a certain distance, the racing judge present at the time of the qualifying race shall consider the condition of the racing strip and the weather conditions at the time the qualifying race is held.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 177.

178. The performance of each horse during a qualifying race shall be recorded in the log books kept for that purpose by the chart maker of the association that holds the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 178.

179. During a qualifying race, the association shall use a photo finish system at the finish line.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 179.

180. A horse that is entered on the “Qualifying List” shall qualify in a qualifying race before participating in a regular race or a special race where the conditions for participation in that race provide that it must do so.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 180.

181. Where a horse participates in a qualifying race so that its driver may pass the test prescribed in section 53 of the Rules respecting certification (chapter C-72.1, r. 1), the performance of that horse shall be recorded in accordance with section 81 and that horse shall meet the standards referred to in section 175.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 181.

§ 2 . — Time trial races

182. An association may hold a time trial race only:

(1)  if an electronic chronometer is used to measure its duration;

(2)  during its race meeting and only where racing judges are present and officiating.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 182.

183. Where a horse races in a time trial race, other horses may race with it, provided they do not run in front of it or are in no way attached to it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 183.

184. The duration of a time trial race run by a horse that broke its gait may not be declared official.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 184.

185. Where the electronic chronometer does not work properly during a time trial race, the duration of that performance may not be declared official.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 185.

§ 3 . — Schooling races

186. A schooling race shall constitute a qualifying race for the horses participating in it, and the provisions of sections 173 to 181 shall apply.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 186.

187. A horse participating for the first time in a schooling race at a gait determined by the race secretary shall have preference over any other horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 187.

DIVISION V EXCEPTIONAL RACES

188. An association shall obtain the authorization of the board to hold an exceptional race.

The board may, at the time of the authorization, suspend the application of certain provisions of these Rules.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 188.

CHAPTER VII DECLARATIONS AND HOLDING OF RACES

DIVISION I DECLARATIONS AND DRAWING OF POST POSITIONS

189. The race secretary shall, in the conditions for participation in a race, provide for the closing date and time for declarations of horses for the race.

At the request of the trainer or owner of a horse, or of the owner’s agent, the race secretary is authorized to declare the horse in a race with different conditions for participation, where the minimum number of declaration has not been reached or where the maximum number of declarations has been exceeded.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 189; Decision 96-05-27, s. 28.

190. A horse is declared in a race using a declaration form provided by the association. The form shall be signed by the owner of the horse, by the owner’s agent or by the trainer of the horse and submitted to the race secretary.

A declaration may be made by mail, telecopier, telegram or telephone provided the race secretary signs and completes a declaration form stating the name of the person who made the declaration by telephone and the name of the person who received the telephone call, the name of the horse to be declared, the race in which that horse is declared and all the information indicated on that form.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 190; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 33.

191. Only a declaration deposited with the race secretary before closing time for declarations shall be accepted, except for a declaration that was not deposited due to an error or negligence on the part of a racing official or of an employee of an association.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 191; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 34.

192. The race secretary shall verify the closing time for declaring horses in a race, which time shall be not earlier than the 5th day preceding the date of the race and not later than noon of the day preceding the race, unless the conditions for participation in that race provide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 192.

193. The owner of a horse, the owner’s agent or the trainer may not declare a horse in more than 1 race which is to be held on the same day.

A horse may be declared in a race only if its owner, the owner’s agent or its trainer holds the attestation referred to in section 53 and the person must file it with the race secretary at least 1 hour before the start of the race in which that horse is participating.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 193; Decision 96-05-27, s. 29; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 35.

194. Before the list of declared horses is posted by the race secretary, no one may disclose the names of the horses declared to anyone.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 194; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 36.

195. At the time determined for the opening of declarations, the race secretary shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall verify the eligibility of the horses declared;

(2)  he shall establish the preference of the horses;

(3)  he shall choose the starting horses and the also eligibles;

(4)  he shall prepare a list of the horses declared, provide a copy of it to the racing judges and post up in the hour that follows another copy in a place that is easily accessible to the public.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 195.

196. Notwithstanding section 103, a horse may start in a race provided that, 1 hour before post time of the first race of a race program with or without pari-mutuel betting, the racing judges have received the up-to-date eligibility certificate of the horse and proof that the owner, the trainer and the driver of the horse and the owner’s agent are, respectively, holders of an owner’s, a trainer’s, a driver’s and an agent’s licence.

Failure to comply with the first paragraph shall entail the scratching of the horse by the racing judges, except where that violation is due to superior force.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 196.

197. The racing judges may require from the owner, the owner’s agent or the trainer of a horse declared in a race a declaration under oath to the effect that he is the owner, the owner’s agent or the trainer of the horse, as the case may be.

They may require that a document respecting a transaction involving the ownership of the horse accompany the statement.

Failure to furnish such statement or such document, upon the request of the racing judges, shall constitute a violation for which the racing judges shall order the scratching of a horse.

A horse that is scratched by the racing judges upon a person’s failure to make a declaration under oath or to provide such a document may not be declared in another race until its owner, the owner’s agent or its trainer has made the requisite declaration or filed the requisite document.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 197; Decision 96-05-27, s. 30.

198. Where a horse is scratched from a race pursuant to section 196 or 197, none of the fees paid for the horse to participate shall be refundable.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 198.

199. An ineligible horse participating in a race shall be disqualified by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 199.

200. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 200; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 37.

201. Subject to section 98, the racing secretary shall choose the horses starting in a regular race and the horses also eligible to start from among all the horses declared and eligible, giving preference to the horse whose last starting date, in a race with a purse held at the same gait, is the furthest from the date of the race in question, subject to the following considerations:

(1)  where a horse has already been chosen to start in a race that has not yet been held, the date of that race constitutes the preference date for the horse;

(2)  where the declaration period is extended, preference is first given to horses declared at the time of the initial closing of declarations;

(3)  where there is an entry, preference is first given to only 1 horse that is a part of that entry;

(4)  where 2 or more horses are trained by the same trainer, preference is first given to only 1 horse.

Where, to obtain the maximum number of horses that can start in a race according to the conditions for participation, the choice must be made from among horses with an identical preference date, the race secretary shall refer, in making that choice, to their previous preference date. Where those horses have the same previous preference date, the race secretary shall make the choice by a drawing.

For the purposes of this section, a horse that has been chosen to start in a race and was scratched from the race is deemed to have started in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 201; Decision 96-05-27, s. 31.

202. The owner of a horse, the owner’s agent or the trainer who signs a declaration form for a horse shall provide proof of the accuracy of the preference date of the horse where that date is the date of a race held by another association.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 202.

203. In a regular race, at the drawing, 2 horses may be chosen as horses also eligible.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 203.

204. A horse may not be called to start in a race as also eligible unless it was chosen as also eligible at the opening of the declarations.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 204.

205. A horse may not be chosen by the race secretary as also eligible if the information respecting the horse that is to be printed in the program cannot be published in the program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 205.

206. A horse may not be excluded from a race simply because it was chosen as also eligible in another race in which it did not participate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 206.

207. As soon as an also eligible is called to start in the race for which it is also eligible, the race secretary shall post the name of the horse in his office and immediately notify the racing judges, the owner of the horse, the owner’s agent or the trainer.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 207.

208. The trainer of an also eligible is responsible for seeing that it start in a pari-mutual betting race for which that horse is also eligible where he is notified before midnight on the day preceding the race by the race secretary that his horse is to start in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 208; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 38.

209. Where an also eligible starts in a race for which it is also eligible, it shall be scratched by the racing judges from any other subsequent race in which it was chosen to start unless the preference process established in section 201 allows it to do so.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 209.

210. Where horses constituting an entry participate in a race with divisions or elimination heats, the race secretary shall see that they start in different divisions or elimination heats insofar as possible; he shall divide the horses among those divisions or heats by a drawing.

For the purposes of this section, horses trained by the same trainer shall be dealt with in the same manner as horses constituting an entry.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 210; Decision 96-05-27, s. 32.

211. Subject to sections 215 to 217 and 220, post positions shall be determined by a drawing conducted by the race secretary in the presence of 2 participants as witnesses.

The board may appoint a person to represent it and attend any drawing.

The drawing of post positions for a regular race is final.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 211; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 39.

212. Where, during the drawing of post positions, there is an omission respecting a horse declared in a regular race, the horse may participate in it in one of the following positions:

(1)  where the maximum number of horses that may start under section 91 is not attained, at the last post position;

(2)  where the maximum number of horses that may start under section 91 is attained, at the post position of the horse it replaces by preference, under section 201.

Where the program has already been printed, the horse may not participate in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 212; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 40.

213. Where the program respecting a special race has not already been printed, post positions must be redrawn if there is an omission respecting a horse declared in that race.

Where the program respecting a special race has already been printed, post positions may not be redrawn. However, a horse declared in a special race and omitted at the drawing of post positions may participate under the following conditions:

(1)  where the maximum number of horses that may start is not attained, the horse shall start at the last post position;

(2)  where the maximum number of horses that may start is attained, the horse shall start at the last post position notwithstanding section 91 and the conditions for participation;

(3)  the horse may not be declared for the purposes of pari-mutuel betting.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 213; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 41.

213.1. Where the racing secretary does not conform to section 210 during the drawing of post positions of a special race, post positions must be redrawn if the program respecting that race has not already been printed.

Where the program respecting that race has already been printed, post positions may not be redrawn.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 42.

214. On the starting line, the post positions for a race shall be situated by placing the horse having the first position in the 7-foot space nearest the inside hub rail of the racing strip, the horse having the second position in the 7-foot space immediately to the right of the first space, and so on until all the space in the front line is filled.

On the second line, the post positions shall be established as follows:

(1)  where only 1 horse starts on the second line, it may be placed anywhere on that line;

(2)  where there is more than 1 horse starting on the second line, a horse may be placed anywhere on that line as long as it is placed to the left of the position taken by the horse having a starting position subsequent to its own.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 214; Decision 99-05-27, s. 2.

215. The race secretary may provide in the conditions for participation in a handicap race that the post position of the horses for that race may be established otherwise than by a drawing; in such case, he shall indicate in those conditions the manner in which the post position is established.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 215.

216. The post position of the horses for a claiming handicap race shall be determined based on the claiming price, disregarding the allowances referred to in section 109, by assigning the most favorable position, according to the order established in section 217, to the horse with the lowest claiming price or lowest winnings.

The difference in the claiming prices of the horses participating in a claiming race, excluding allowances, shall not exceed 25%.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 216; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 43.

217. Where no horses start on the second line, the horse with the lowest winnings shall take the first position and the others shall take the following positions to the right of the first horse based on their respective winnings.

Where there are horses starting on the second line, the post position order shall be as follows:

(1)  on a half-mile racing strip:

(a)  first position on the first line;

(b)  second position on the first line;

(c)  third position on the first line;

(d)  first position on the second line;

(e)  fourth position on the first line;

(f)  fifth position on the first line;

(g)  sixth position on the first line;

(h)  seventh position on the first line;

(i)  eighth position on the first line;

(j)  second position on the second line;

(k)  third position on the second line;

(l)  fourth position on the second line;

(m)  the others are placed in similar fashion to the right of the horse having the fourth position on the second line;

(2)  on a racing strip longer than half a mile but shorter than seven-eighths of a mile:

(a)  first position on the first line;

(b)  second position on the first line;

(c)  third position on the first line;

(d)  fourth position on the first line;

(e)  first position on the second line;

(f)  fifth position on the first line;

(g)  sixth position on the first line;

(h)  seventh position on the first line;

(i)  eighth position on the first line;

(j)  ninth position on the first line;

(k)  second position on the second line;

(l)  third position on the second line;

(m)  fourth position on the second line;

(n)  the others are placed in similar fashion to the right of the horse having the fourth position on the second line;

(3)  on a racing strip not less than seven-eighths of a mile long:

(a)  first position on the first line;

(b)  second position on the first line;

(c)  third position on the first line;

(d)  fourth position on the first line;

(e)  first position on the second line;

(f)  fifth position on the first line;

(g)  sixth position on the first line;

(h)  seventh position on the first line;

(i)  eighth position on the first line;

(j)  second position on the second line;

(k)  ninth position on the first line;

(l)  tenth position on the first line;

(m)  eleventh position on the first line;

(n)  third position on the second line;

(o)  fourth position on the second line;

(p)  the others are placed in similar fashion to the right of the horse having the fourth position on the second line.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 217; Decision 99-05-27, s. 3; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 44.

218. Where a horse that is also eligible starts in a race, it shall take the post position of the horse it replaces.

For a handicap race or a claiming handicap race, the post position of that horse shall be established as follows:

(1)  where the horse’s handicap is the same as that of the horse it replaces, it shall take the post position of the horse it replaces;

(2)  where the horse’s handicap is different from that of the horse it replaces, it shall take a post position on the outside of the position of the horses declared at the same price or whose winnings are the same.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 218; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 45.

219. Where there is more than one scratch for the same race, the replacement shall be made in the order in which the scratches are made.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 219.

220. Where, in a claiming handicap race, a horse does not start and is not replaced, the post positions shall be reestablished according to the order prescribed in section 216.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 220.

221. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 221; Decision 97-09-02, s. 6.

221.1. Subject to sections 216 to 220, the post positions following the scratching of a horse that was to participate in the race shall be determined as follows:

(1)  where a horse starting on the first line is scratched, its scratching shall have no impact on the position of horses starting in the second line;

(2)  where a horse from either starting line is scratched, the horses that are outside the starting position of the scratched horse shall fill the gap by moving towards the inside of the racing strip.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 46.

222. A horse duly declared in a race and called to start may be scratched only by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 222.

223. The owner of a horse chosen to start in a race or chosen as a horse also eligible to run in that race may not sell it before the race is held.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 223.

224. The association shall establish in the conditions for participation the deadline by which the trainer of a horse shall give the name of the driver who will drive the horse; where the trainer fails to do so, the association shall appoint a driver. No one may be substituted for that driver without the permission of the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 224.

225. The racing judges may at any time order the replacement of a driver:

(1)  whom they consider unfit to drive;

(2)  who refuses to obey orders or instructions given to him;

(3)  where they consider it necessary for the orderly conduct of the races or for the protection of the public.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 225.

DIVISION II POSTPONEMENT AND CANCELLATION OF RACES

226. The president of the racing judges must hold a meeting with the representative of the association and the representative of the participants to determine whether or not a race or a race program should be held when the racing judges are unable to adequately fulfill the obligations set out in section 9 of these Rules or when the protection or safety of persons or horses is compromised.

Where the decision of both representatives to hold the race or the race program is unanimous, the race program shall be held.

Where there is no unanimous decision, the racing judges shall determine whether the race or the race program should be held.

The president of the racing judges alone shall decide whether a race may be cancelled before or after it starts, if he is of the opinion that holding it or continuing it is likely to endanger human life or health or cause serious or irreparable damage to property. The racing judges shall then prepare a report on the incident.

Where a race is cancelled after its start, the decision shall be immediately shown on the display board, announced to the public and communicated to drivers by means of a blinking light and an audible signal. Any driver able to do so shall slow down the gait of his horse and proceed to the paddock. A horse is deemed not to have started in such a race.

Where a decision is taken not to hold a race or a race program, that race shall be cancelled or postponed in accordance with these Rules.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 226; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 47; Decision 2012-02-15, s. 11.

227. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 227; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 48.

228. A regular race that cannot be held shall be cancelled, unless the association postpones it to the following day or the day after; if a postponed race is not held within the time prescribed, it shall be cancelled.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 228; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 49.

229. A special race that cannot be held or that cannot be continued on the date or at the place advertised may be postponed to a date and place determined by the board; the precise time of the race shall also be determined by the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 229.

230. Where the board decides that a special race cannot be postponed, it shall be cancelled if it could not be held, or declared finished if it could not be completed.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 230.

231. Where a qualifying race is postponed or cancelled, the participants shall immediately be notified by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 231.

DIVISION III SCRATCHING OF HORSES

232. Any of the following situations constitutes a violation for which the racing judges shall order a horse to be scratched:

(1)  a horse is unfit to start in the race because of its state of health or physical condition;

(1.1)  when a horse chockes or suffers from epistaxis during its warm-up;

(2)  a horse is involved in a serious incident before the race;

(3)  the attestation referred to in section 193, the declaration by a veterinarian under the second paragraph of section 13, the certificate and proof referred to in section 196 are not provided to the racing judges within the required time, unless the failure to do so is due to superior force;

(4)  the owner or trainer of a horse declared in a race fails to provide a declaration under oath or a document respecting the ownership of a horse when so requested by the racing judges;

(5)  a horse participating in a race is likely to cause an accident or injure another horse or a driver;

(6)  a horse participating in a race is unmanageable;

(7)  the same horse causes a second recall in a single race, unless it broke its gait because its equipment broke, it was interfered with or it was the victim of an accident;

(8)  a horse declared in a race does not have a specific trainer;

(9)  a drug, a medication or a mixture containing sodium bicarbonate has been administered to a horse within 24 hours preceding the race in which the horse is to start;

(10)  the results of the analysis of the blood sample taken under section 345.3 are positive;

(11)  the trainer of the horse, the trainer’s representative or the owner of the horse refuses to submit the horse to the blood sampling procedure described in section 345.1 or 345.3;

(12)  (paragraph revoked).

The racing judges may order that a horse be scratched where it does not fulfil the conditions for participation in the race in which it is declared.

The racing judges shall ensure that the public is informed that a horse has been scratched by announcing it over the public address system provided by the association.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 232; Decision 96-05-27, s. 33; Decision 97-09-02, s. 7; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 50.

233. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 233; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 51.

DIVISION IV ACCESS TO THE PADDOCK

234. Only the following persons shall have access to the paddock 2 hours before the beginning of a race program with pari-mutuel betting and during the race program:

(1)  the holder of an owner’s, an agent’s, a driver’s or a trainer’s licence accompanied by his guests, for whom the owner answers and who are at least 10 years old;

(2)  at the most 2 grooms for each horse that is in the paddock before the start of a race in which the horse is participating;

(3)  the racing officials, the officials of the Government of Canada and the Gouvernement du Québec and the employees of the association in the performance of their duties;

(4)  (paragraph revoked);

(5)  any person authorized by the board or a racing judge.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 234; Decision 96-05-27, s. 34; Decision 97-09-02, s. 8; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 52.

235. A driver may leave the paddock only in the following cases:

(1)  at the end of all the races for which he was admitted;

(2)  where he is warming up or driving a horse participating in a race;

(3)  where he receives permission from the paddock judge.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 235.

236. The trainer shall ensure that a horse participating in a race is brought to the paddock at least 2 hours before the post time of the race, unless exempted by the racing judges, and that the horse remains there until it is called onto the racing strip for the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 236; Decision 96-05-27, s. 35.

237. A driver who participates in a race shall report to the paddock judge at least 1 hour before the post time of the race, unless exempted by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 237.

238. The trainer shall ensure that a horse participating in a pari-mutuel betting race of a race program, but that is not boarded at the race track where the race is held, is brought to the place assigned to it in the receiving stable of that race track at least 2 hours before the post time of the race in which it starts.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 238.

DIVISION V CHANGES OF EQUIPMENT

239. Where, during a race with heats, a horse wears hopples for the first heat, the trainer of that horse shall ensure that it wears them in all the other heats; if it does not wear them for the first heat, the trainer shall ensure that it does not wear them in the other heats.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 239.

240. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 240; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 53.

241. The trainer of a horse that usually races with hopples shall not cause it to start in a race without hopples unless he has had the horse qualified in a qualifying race.

The trainer of a horse that usually races without hopples shall not cause it to start in a race with hopples unless he has had the horse qualified in a qualifying race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 241.

242. The trainer of a horse that usually wears or does not wear hopples and is not entered on the “Qualifying List” may have it race with or without hopples, as the case may be, in only one qualifying race, without its right to race with or without hopples being affected in a subsequent race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 242.

243. A trainer who wishes to change, remove or add any piece of the equipment of a horse, from one race to another, shall inform the equipment judge at least 45 minutes before the post time of the pari-mutuel betting race in which that horse participates.

The trainer shall inform the equipment judge at least 45 minutes before the starting time of the pari-mutuel betting race in which that horse partipates of any change to the shoeing of a horse made between 2 races.

The association shall inform the public of the change as soon as possible by an announcement or notice before the beginning of the pari-mutuel betting race in which that horse participates.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 243; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 54; Decision 2002-06-12, s. 2.

244. The trainer of a horse shall not have it wear a piece of equipment protruding beyond the tip of its nose.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 244.

DIVISION VI WARM-UPS AND STARTS

245. During the 90 minutes before the post time of the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program and during the intervals between the races of that race program, only a trainer or a driver may drive a horse declared for that program on the racing strip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 245.

246. During the 90 minutes before the race in which a horse starts, the trainer of that horse shall ensure that its last warm-up is done on the main strip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 246.

247. Where a horse chokes, falls or suffers from epistaxis during a warm-up or a race, the driver or the trainer shall notify the racing judges immediately after the warm-up or the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 247; Decision 97-09-02, s. 9.

248. Where the horses participating in a race enter the strip for the parade, any other person or horse not participating in the parade shall immediately leave the strip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 248.

249. The horses participating in a race shall enter the racing strip when called by the paddock judge for that race, unless the racing judges decide otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 249.

250. Races shall be started using a starting gate of the type prescribed in the Rules respecting certification (chapter C-72.1, r. 1).

Only the starting judge, the driver of the starting gate vehicle and a patrol judge may be in the vehicle, unless the racing judges allow otherwise.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 250.

251. At the time fixed for the start, the starting judge shall assemble the horses and ensure that they take their respective post positions behind the starting gate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 251.

252. When the starting judge so orders, each driver shall direct his horse towards the starting gate placed approximately a quarter of a mile before the starting line.

The starting judge shall cause the starting gate to move towards the starting line, gradually increasing its speed until the required speed is reached.

When the horses reach the starting line or the safety line, as the case may be, the starting judge shall give the official signal for the start of the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 252; Decision 96-05-27, s. 36.

253. The horses shall not be held behind the starting gate for more than 2 minutes from the time when the starting judge assembles the horses in accordance with section 251, unless the racing judges allow it owing to superior force.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 253.

254. During a start, the starting judge shall at no time reduce the speed of his vehicle except where he decides that another start must be made.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 254.

255. Where it is expedient to restart a race, the starting judge shall notify the drivers by means of a blinking light and an audible signal.

The starting judge shall ensure that the starting gate remains open in order to help in slowing the horses.

The drivers shall immediately resume their respective positions behind the starting gate in order to restart.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 255.

256. Before giving the official signal for the start of the race, the starting judge shall order a recall where:

(1)  a horse scores ahead of the starting gate;

(2)  there is interference from a horse or a driver;

(3)  a horse’s equipment breaks;

(4)  a horse falls;

(5)  a situation of superior force exists.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 256.

257. As soon as the starting judge gives the official signal for the start of a race, a recall may not be ordered and the horses are then deemed to have started in the race; they shall run the length of the race except where a horse is justified in stopping because of an accident, interference or broken equipment.

Where equipment breaks, the driver of the horse shall have it checked by the paddock judge as soon as the race is finished.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 257.

258. Where an accident occurs on the racing strip, the racing judges shall decide when the following race should be held.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 258.

259. Where a recall should have been ordered by the starting judge but was not, the racing judges shall:

(1)  immediately cause the word “Inquiry” to appear on the display board;

(2)  ensure that the public is informed over the public address system;

(3)  decide whether a horse made a proper start.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 259; Decision 96-05-27, s. 37.

260. Where a recall should have been ordered by the starting judge but was not, the racing judges may set a horse back if it scored ahead of the starting gate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 260.

DIVISION VII CONDUCT DURING A RACE

261. A trainer shall not cause a horse he trains to start in a race where:

(1)  the horse is subject, under section 340, to the taking of an official sample which when analyzed might show the presence of a drug, or where a prohibited substance has been administered to the horse;

(2)  the horse is in no condition to provide its normal performance in relation to the time standard concerning its capacity to run a certain distance;

(3)  the horse is subject, under section 345.1, to the taking of a blood sample which when analysed might show a concentration of free carbon dioxide (TCO2) equal to or greater than 37 millimoles per litre of blood plasma;

(4)  the horse is subject, under section 345.3, to the taking of a blood sample which when analysed might show a concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3) equal to or greater than 37 millimoles per litre of blood.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 261; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 55.

262. During the 90 minutes preceding the first race of a race program and until the end of the last race of that program, as well as during any race, a trainer or driver who rides in a sulky to train or drive a horse at a race shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall keep his feet in the stirrups;

(2)  he shall wear a safety helmet complying with the standard (2000 Standard for Protective Headgear) of the Snell Memorial Foundation on protective headgear for harness racing and other equestrian sports, and shall fasten the chin strap.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 262.

263. During the 90 minutes before the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program and until 15 minutes after the end of the last race of that program, only one person, either a trainer or a driver, shall ride in the sulky of a horse that is on the racing strip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 263.

264. During the 90 minutes before the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program and during the entire race program, a driver or trainer shall wear distinctive colours for the warm-up of his horse on the racing strip before a race, during the parade and the race.

Where a trainer or driver wears a rain suit, it must be in his distinctive colours or made of a transparent material through which the colors may be clearly distinguished.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 264.

265. During the 90 minutes before the first pari-mutuel betting race of a race program and until 15 minutes after the end of the last race of that program, no person may smoke on the racing strip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 265.

266. During a race, each driver shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall drive so that his horse races at its full capacity;

(2)  he shall drive so as not to trouble the proper conduct of the race;

(3)  he shall not drive in an unsatisfactory manner.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 266.

267. A driver shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall participate in the parade, unless exempted by the racing judges;

(2)  he shall not delay the parade;

(3)  he shall obey the orders of the starting judge;

(4)  he shall not delay the start of the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 267; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 56.

267.1. A trainer shall fulfil the following obligations:

(1)  he shall ensure that his horse participates in the parade, unless exempted by the racing judges;

(2)  he shall not delay the parade.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 57.

268. Before the official start of the race is given, a driver shall:

(1)  bring his horse into position behind the starting gate;

(2)  place his horse behind the starting gate in its assigned position;

(3)  maintain his horse in position behind the starting gate;

(4)  prevent his horse from scoring ahead of the starting gate;

(5)  drive his horse so as to prevent it from changing position before reaching the starting line;

(6)  avoid hindering another driver or another horse behind the starting gate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 268.

269. During a race, a driver shall not interfere with another driver or horse.

A driver interferes where he drives in such a way as to:

(1)  compel a horse to change its stride;

(2)  compel a horse to break its gait;

(3)  compel another driver to pull his horse out of position;

(4)  compel another driver to hold his horse back;

(5)  compel another driver to break his horse’s gait;

(6)  compel another driver to change his horse’s stride;

(7)  push another horse toward the outside of the racing strip;

(8)  push another horse toward the inside of a racing strip that does not have a continuous hub rail so that a wheel of that horse’s sulky leaves the strip or comes in contact with a post in that rail;

(9)  cross over recklessly in front of another horse or the field;

(10)  cause confusion among the horses trailing him.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 269.

270. During a race, a driver shall not hinder another horse:

(1)  by placing the wheel of his sulky too close to the horse;

(2)  by maintaining an outside position without making the necessary effort to improve his position by one or more places.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 270.

271. During a race, a driver shall not drive in such a manner as to:

(1)  cause his sulky to touch another sulky;

(2)  prevent a horse from gaining a position;

(3)  maintain an outside position without making the necessary effort to improve his position;

(4)  allow another horse to pass needlessly on the inside;

(5)  leave an opening for another horse where he should not do so;

(6)  help another horse to improve its position;

(7)  cause his horse to race at its full capacity only when challenged to do so;

(8)  cause his horse to break its gait;

(9)  cause a wheel of his sulky to leave a racing strip that does not have a continuous hub rail.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 271; Decision 96-05-27, s. 38.

272. During a race, a driver shall not drive in a manner that is:

(1)  careless;

(2)  reckless;

(3)  abusive.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 272.

273. A driver shall not drive in a manner that is not constant.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 273; Decision 96-05-27, s. 39.

274. During a race, a driver shall not maintain his horse at such a distance from the hub rail on the inside of the racing strip as to force another horse to push further to the outside than he should if his horse were in position near the rail.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 274.

275. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 275; Decision 96-05-27, s. 40.

275.1. Where a racing strip is widened in the last straight section before the finish line, the following presumptions apply:

(1)  the wheel of a sulky is deemed to have left the racing strip where it goes over into the widened space at any time other than during the last straight section of a race; and

(2)  a driver is deemed to be interfering where he prevents another horse from passing him on the inside during the last straight section of a race.

Decision 92-11-05.

276. During a race, and considering the weather, the condition of the racing strip and the circumstances of the race, a driver shall drive so that his horse keeps a pace that does not hinder another horse and that corresponds to the class of horses in which his horse is participating.

Where a race proceeds too slowly in comparison with the class of the participating horses for that race, a driver shall drive his horse so as to improve the pace of the race, where he is not driving the leader.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 276.

277. A driver shall drive the horse he agreed to drive unless he is exempted by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 277.

278. A driver, trainer or groom shall not stimulate his horse with an object other than a whip of which the butt end is a maximum length of 48 in and a snapper measuring between 6 in and 12 in long.

The whip must not be made of leather and its snapper must not have been altered or knotted.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 278; Decision 2021-07-29, s. 1.

279. A driver, trainer or groom shall not make excessive use of a whip at a race track.

He shall also not use a whip in any of the following ways:

(1)  by touching the horse with the butt end of the whip;

(2)  by placing the whip under the arch of the sulky;

(3)  by placing the whip between the legs of the horse.

He may use a whip to stimulate the horse only by making a wrist movement. In addition, the movement of the whip may be made only between the shafts of the sulky.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 279; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 58; Decision 2021-07-29, s. 2.

279.1. A driver, trainer or groom shall not use a whip in any of the following situations:

(a)  the horse is not responding to the stimulation of the whip;

(b)  the horse can no longer improve its position in the race;

(c)  the horse is not maintaining or improving its position in the race;

(d)  the horse is winning;

(e)  the horse has passed the finishing post at the end of the race;

(f)  so as to cut the horse or leave marks on it.

Decision 2021-07-29, s. 3.

280. A driver, trainer or groom shall not kick a horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 280.

281. During a race, a driver shall not use his whip:

(1)  below the level of the shafts of the sulky;

(2)  on the wheel discs of a sulky.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 281; Decision 2021-07-29, s. 4.

282. A driver shall not strike another driver or another horse with his whip.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 282; Decision 97-09-02, s. 10.

283. The driver shall keep both hands on the reins during a race, except to adjust equipment.

The driver shall not snap his reins during a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 283; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 59; Decision 2021-07-29, s. 5.

284. As soon as a horse breaks its gait, the driver shall:

(1)  direct it toward the outside of the strip;

(2)  attempt to put the horse back in its gait;

(3)  drop back from the field during the horse’s break in gait.

Where a driver does not comply with the first paragraph, his horse may be set back by 1 or more positions by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 284.

285. Following an interference, a collision or a break in gait that hinders another horse or following a violation of section 271, the racing judges may set back the horse responsible by 1 or more positions; in such a case, the horse may be set back behind all the horses affected by the interference, the collision, the break in gait or the violation.

Where the interference, the collision, the break in gait or the violation prevents a horse from finishing the race, the racing judges shall disqualify the horse responsible.

Where a horse finishing in a dead heat with another horse is affected by an interference, a collision, a break in gait or a violation of section 271, the racing judges may set the horse responsible back behind all the horses that finished in the dead heat.

Where, during a race, a wheel of a horse’s sulky leaves a racing strip that does not have a continuous hub rail, the racing judges may disqualify that horse, unless the horse left the racing strip following an interference or a collision of which the horse was a victim. When racing judges disqualify a horse for leaving the racing strip, they shall determine the position order of the horses.

For the purposes of the fourth paragraph, a horse is deemed to have left the racing strip where the wheel of the sulky crosses the imaginary line between 2 posts in a non-continuous hub rail.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 285; Decision 96-05-27, s. 41; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 60.

286. Where a horse set back or disqualified under section 285 is part of an entry, all the horses of that entry may be set back or disqualified by the racing judges if the interference, the collision, the break in gait or the violation of section 271 favours them.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 286.

287. A horse whose driver is not riding in the sulky when it crosses the finish line is deemed not to have finished the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 287.

288. Where, at the finish line, the nose of a horse having maintained its gait laps the hindquarters of a horse having broken its gait, the latter is placed behind the horse that lapped it, except if the break in gait is caused by an interference.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 288.

289. At the end of a race, the driver shall remain in his sulky, take his horse to the place determined by the racing judges and lead it off the racing strip, unless instructed otherwise by the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 289.

290. The winning horse of a race is the one whose nose reaches the finish line first; where there is a dead heat in the first position, all the horses in a dead heat shall be declared winners.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 290.

291. The official result of a race shall be that posted on the display board upon the instructions of the racing judges, regardless of any changes that the racing judges may subsequently make.

The horse declared the winner in the official result shall be credited with the victory on its eligibility certificate even if it is subsequently set back or disqualified.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 291.

292. Where a maiden horse is declared the winner of a race with a purse and is subsequently disqualified or set back, it shall keep its status as a maiden horse at the gait of that race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 292.

293. Where a maiden horse is declared the winner of a race with a purse following a change in the position order after the official result, it shall keep its status as a maiden horse at the gait of that race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 293.

CHAPTER VIII ALCOHOL AND DRUGS

DIVISION I ALCOHOL

294. A racing official, driver, trainer or groom shall not be under the influence of alcohol while performing his duties or occupations.

For the purposes of this Division, the expression “racing official” means a person who exercises any of the duties described in Chapter II, a person who drives a starting gate vehicle and a test inspector.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 294.

295. The president of the racing judges or an inspector from the board may, at each race program, test a sample of persons for their blood alcohol level from among those performing the duties of racing officials or the occupations of driver, trainer or groom.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 295; Decision 96-05-27, s. 42.

296. Any racing official, driver, trainer or groom chosen to be tested for his blood alcohol level shall immediately provide to the person designated by the board a breath sample for the performance of the test.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 296.

297. A racing official or a driver is deemed to be under the influence of alcohol where the results of the test on the breath sample that he has provided show that he has drunk alcohol in a quantity that raises the concentration in his blood to more than 30 mg per 100 ml of blood.

A trainer or a groom is deemed to be under the influence of alcohol where the results of the test on the breath sample that he has provided show that he has drunk alcohol in a quantity that raises the concentration in his blood to more than 50 mg per 100 ml of blood.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 297.

298. Any racing official, driver, trainer or groom who fails or refuses to provide a breath sample or who provides a breath sample which when tested shows that he has drunk alcohol in a quantity in excess of the quantities prescribed in section 297, as the case may be, may no longer continue to perform his duties or occupations for the duration of the race program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 298.

299. Where a breath sample has been taken from a racing official, driver, trainer or groom under section 296, evidence of the result of the test shall be, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, proof of the blood alcohol level of the person who provided the sample, and that level shall be the result of the test.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 299.

300. The certificate of the person designated by the board stating that he has tested a breath sample provided by a person chosen to be tested for his blood alcohol level and indicating the results of the test shall be proof of the facts alleged therein without it being necessary to prove the signature or the official capacity of the signatory, provided that the certificate of that person includes:

(1)  the name of the person who provided the sample;

(2)  the place where the sample was taken and the date and time at which it was taken;

(3)  an attestation to the effect that the test of the breath sample was made with a device operated by him;

(4)  the results of the test.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 300; Decision 2002-06-12, s. 3.

DIVISION II DRUGS

301. For the purposes of this Division, the word “drugs” means cannabis, cocain, heroin, their preparations, derivatives and similar synthetic preparations.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 301.

302. A racing official, driver, trainer or groom shall not use drugs.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 302.

303. An inspector from the board may test a sample of persons for drugs from among those performing the duties of racing judge, paddock judge, starting judge, patrol judge or occupations of driver, trainer or groom.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 303; Decision 96-05-27, s. 43.

304. Any person referred to in section 303 and chosen for drug testing shall, in the presence of or under the supervision of an employee of the board, immediately provide a urine sample for the performance of a drug test to determine whether he has used drugs.

Any person who fails or refuses to provide a urine sample may no longer continue to perform his duties or his occupations until he provides the sample referred to in the first paragraph.

The person must provide a sample of at least 30 ml.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 304; Decision 91-03-06, s. 3; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 61.

305. A person is deemed to have used drugs where the results of the test on the urine sample that he has provided show that he has consumed drugs.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 305.

306. Where a urine sample has been taken from a person under section 304, evidence of positive results of the test shall, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, be proof that the person who provided the sample has used drugs.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 306.

307. The certificate of a laboratory chosen by the board stating that it has tested a urine sample provided by a person referred to in section 303 and indicating the results of the test shall be proof of the facts alleged therein without it being necessary to prove the signature or the official capacity of the signatory, provided that the certificate is signed by a chemist in the employ of that laboratory.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 307.

308. Where a person has obtained positive results for a test on a urine sample, that person may be designated, at the discretion of the board, to undergo another drug test at any time within 24 months following that positive result.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 308.

CHAPTER IX PURSES

309. A purse shall be offered for every race with pari-mutuel betting or for every heat in such a race, where applicable, and shall be awarded in accordance with these Rules according to the finishing order of the horses in the final position.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 309.

310. The purse offered for a race or for a heat in a race shall be divided into 5 portions, 50% for the first, 25% for the second, 12% for the third, 8% for the fourth and 5% for the fifth, out of the total amount of the purse, unless otherwise provided in the conditions for participation in the race and subject to the special provisions of these Rules.

No part of the purse may be reserved by the association or sponsor offering it for the winner of a race in addition to the portion that he receives in accordance with the first paragraph.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 310; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 62.

311. Subject to section 313, where the number of horses that finish a regular race is less than the number of portions of the purse, the portions of the purse that cannot be awarded shall be given to the owner of the horse that won the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 311.

312. Subject to sections 313, 322 and 323, where the number of horses that finish a special race is less than the number of portions of the purse, the portions of the purse that cannot be awarded shall be equally divided among the owners of all the horses that participated in the race; where all the horses participating in a special race are part of a single entry or where there is only one horse, the race shall still be held in order for this rule to apply.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 312.

313. Where a horse does not finish a race, its owner shall be entitled to no portion of the purse. Where a horse does not finish a race due to an accident or an interference that it did not cause, its owner shall be entitled only to the portions of the purse not awarded; if there is more than one, the balance of the portions of the purse shall be awarded to them in equal shares.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 313.

314. Where 2 or more horses finish a race in a dead heat, their owners shall equally share the sum of the portions of the purse to which each horse would have been entitled if they had finished the race in successive positions.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 314.

315. Where a purse is offered for a race, it shall be paid in full to those who are entitled thereto.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 315.

316. No person may make an arrangement to equally share a purse among the owners of the horses participating in a race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 316.

317. An association or sponsor may not increase the amount of the purse offered for a race after the race has been held, except to correct a printing error in the program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 317.

318. The awarding of an amount to the owner of a horse by way of a bonus or prize that does not derive from a contract between an association and a group of participants or that is not provided for in the conditions for participation in a special race may not be considered as winnings for the horse in question and may not be compiled in the statistics respecting its winnings.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 318.

319. Where a horse is set back or disqualified, its owner shall be deprived of the portion of the purse which the horse could have won; the finishing order of the horses shall be changed and the purse shall be distributed in accordance with the new positions.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 319.

320. Where a horse is disqualified due to error, to negligence or fraud attributable to a race secretary or an association, the association shall refund to the owner of the horse an amount equivalent to the portion of the purse he was deprived of; that amount shall not be compiled in the statistics respecting the horse’s winnings.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 320.

321. In a race for which the purse is awarded based on the consolidated results, a horse shall participate in all the heats of the race in order for its owner to earn a portion of the purse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 321.

322. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 322; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 63.

323. (Revoked).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 323; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 63.

324. The purse of a special race shall be made of an advertised purse, nomination fees and any sustaining fees, starting fees and amounts paid by the association.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 324.

325. Unless the conditions for participation provide otherwise, where a special race is held in divisions, the sponsor shall increase the amount of the advertised purse so that each division will have an advertised purse equal to at least 75% of the original advertised purse; the nomination and sustaining fees shall be equally divided among the divisions and the starting fees shall be divided among the divisions in proportion to the number of starters in each division.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 325.

326. Where a special race is held as a race with elimination heats, the conditions for participation shall prescribe the percentage of the division of the purse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 326.

327. Unless the conditions for participation in a special race provide otherwise, where a special race is cancelled or declared finished, the amount of the nomination fees and any sustaining and starting fees not awarded shall be equally divided among the owners of the horses that would have started in the race that was cancelled or in the cancelled heats of a race that was declared finished.

Where a stake or futurity race is cancelled under section 165, the nomination and sustaining fees shall be equally divided among the owners of the horses still in nomination after the last payment of sustaining fees, if any.

The amounts thus divided shall not be compiled in the winnings of those horses.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 327.

328. Where the awarding of a purse or a portion of a purse may, as a result of an objection, a complaint, a protest or an appeal, be changed because of the decision to be made by the racing judges or the board, the association or sponsor that offered the purse shall, where the racing judges or the board so request, delay the awarding until it receives the authorization from the racing judges or the board.

Where the decision entails a change in the position of the horses in the finishing order of the race, the awarding shall be based on the changed order.

Where the awarding was done before such a decision was rendered, the amount awarded shall be recovered and awarded to those entitled to it.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 328.

329. An association or sponsor may not give a purse or a portion of a purse to the person entitled thereto before the test results of the official samples taken from the horses participating in the race have been sent to the racing judges.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 329.

CHAPTER X TIMES AND RECORDS

330. The official time of a race for each horse shall be measured to the nearest fifth of a second and recorded in the log book referred to in these Rules.

The official time of a race shall be measured with an electronic timer or, failing that, with a stopwatch.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 330.

331. The time of a race shall be measured from the time when the nose of the first horse crosses the starting line to the time when the nose of the first horse crosses the finish line.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 331.

332. The running time of the winning horse shall be announced to the public as soon as the racing judges decide the official result and the time is declared official.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 332.

333. For the time of a race to be declared official, the distance in linear feet between the starting line and the finish line of a racing strip shall be measured 3 ft towards the outside of the strip from the hub rail on the inside of the racing strip and shall be certified to the board by a civil engineer or a land surveyor.

That procedure shall be repeated by the association each time the inside hub rail of the racing strip is moved.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 333.

334. Where a person ascertains an error in the publication of the running time of a horse, the time may not be changed in a way that would favour the horse or its owner unless the racing judges, after consulting with the timer of the race, correct the error.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 334.

335. Where the running time of a race or the log book in which it is recorded are tampered with, the time of the race may not be declared official.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 335.

336. The record of a horse shall be the fastest time it ran in a race that it won or in a time trial race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 336.

337. A winning horse may not be credited with the running time of its race where:

(1)  the test results of an official sample taken from the horse are positive;

(2)  the horse is set back or disqualified as a result of a decision by the racing judges or the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 337.

338. A horse may not be credited with the running time of a winning horse as a result of the setting back or disqualification of the presumed winner, unless the latter was set back as a result of a break in gait at the finish line while the horse in question lapped the hindquarter of the presumed winner.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 338.

CHAPTER XI PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES AND TESTS

339. Part V of the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (SOR/91-365) applies to Standardbred horse racing.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 339; Decision 96-05-27, s. 44.

340. An official sample:

(1)  shall be taken from:

(a)  the winning horse in a race with pari-mutuel betting;

(b)  a horse participating in a time trial race;

(2)  may be taken, where a racing judge so requests, from a horse declared in a race:

(a)  after it has participated in the race;

(b)  within 2 hours before the starting time of the race in which it is to participate.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 340.

341. Where under section 340 an official sample must be taken from a horse, the racing judges shall disqualify the horse in any of the following cases:

(1)  where an official sample could not be taken from that horse after the race;

(2)  where the test results of an official sample are positive;

(3)  where there was an exchange or a substitution of an official sample.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 341.

342. Where under subparagraph b of paragraph 2 of section 340, an official sample could not be taken from a horse, the racing judges shall refuse to allow the horse to participate in the race.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 342.

343. A horse that is disqualified in accordance with section 341 may not participate or be declared in a race before the expiry of 30 days from the date on which it is disqualified.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 343; Decision 96-05-27, s. 45.

344. The certificate of a positive test result completed by an official chemist under Part V of the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations (SOR/91-365) respecting an official sample taken from a horse shall constitute evidence, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, that a drug prohibited by the Regulations has been administered to that horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 344; Decision 96-05-27, s. 46.

345. No person who organizes, holds or participates in an activity subject to the Act shall have in his possession at a racetrack an injectable substance, a syringe, a hypodermic needle or other device that could be used to inject or in any way introduce a drug or other substance into a horse, unless the person is a veterinarian.

No licence holder shall prepare a mixture containing sodium bicarbonate or cause such mixture to be absorbed by a horse within 24 hours preceding a race in which the horse is to participate.

No person shall inject a horse with a drug or medication or in any way administer a drug or medication to a horse within 24 hours preceding a race in which the horse is to start.

Within 2 hours preceding the start of the first race with or without pari-mutuel betting of a race program and during such program, no licence holder shall administer to a horse in the paddock a substance other than the water provided by the association.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 345; Decision 91-03-06, s. 4; Decision 96-05-27, s. 47.

345.1. During the 20 minute period preceding the time at which a horse is to start in a race or at least 90 minutes after the end of the race in which a horse takes part, the person authorized by the board pursuant to subparagraph 4 of the first paragraph of section 90 of the Act shall take blood samples to determine the concentration of free carbon dioxide (TCO2) or bicarbonate (HCO3).

The person shall prepare a report establishing the chain of possession of the sample.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 64.

345.2. Subject to section 345.9, blood analysis results are positive if the bicarbonate (HCO3) concentration or free carbon dioxide (TCO2) is equal to or greater than 37 millimoles per litre of blood or blood plasma, as the case may be.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 64.

345.3. Where the result of the first blood sample is positive for the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3), the authorized person shall take a second sample.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 64.

345.4. Where the results of the second analysis of the horse’s blood are positive, the person authorized by the board:

(1)  shall so inform the racing judges;

(2)  (paragraph revoked);

(3)  (paragraph revoked).

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Décision 2000-11-08, a. 65.

345.5. (Revoked).

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 66.

345.6. Where the analysis results are positive, a horse’s trainer, a trainer’s representative or a horse’s owner who feels that the analysis results are physiologically normal due to a physiological trait specific to the horse shall establish that those results are in fact normal during isolation of the horse pursuant to section 345.9.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48.

345.7. The isolation of a horse shall take place under surveillance on the premises of an association for a period of at most 72 hours during which the concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3) or free carbon dioxide (TCO2) shall be measured.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 67.

345.8. The horse may not be declared in or participate in a race while in isolation.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48.

345.9. Where the analyses done on a horse placed in isolation show that, due to a physiological trait specific to that horse, the bicarbonate (HCO3) concentration or free carbon dioxide (TCO2) observed is physiologically normal for the horse, the board shall determine new criteria for the horse for the purposes of section 345.2.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 68.

345.10. The methodology used in the analyses done on a horse in isolation shall meet the criteria for analytical precision established by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medecine and the American Association for Clinical Chemistry.

Decision 96-05-27, s. 48.

345.11. Where under section 345.1, blood samples must be taken from a horse, the racing judges shall disqualify the horse in the following circumstances:

(1)  blood samples could not be taken from the horse after the race in which it participated;

(2)  analysis results show a concentration of free carbon dioxide (TCO2) equal to or greater than 37 millimoles per litre of blood plasma;

(3)  the results of the analysis carried out in accordance with the provisions of section 345.3 indicate, after the race, a concentration of bicarbonate (HCO3) equal to or greater than 37 millimoles per litre of blood;

(4)  there has been an exchange or substitution with respect to the taking of the sample.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 69.

345.12. Where a horse is scratched pursuant to subparagraph 10 of section 232 or is disqualified pursuant to section 345.11, the horse may not participate in a race or be declared before the end of a period of 30 days from of the date of its disqualification or scratching, unless the trainer or the owner of the horse determines at the time of its quarantine that the result of the analysis is physiologically normal for the horse. The board shall then determine the new parameters to be considered for the horse and terminate its ineligibility to be declared or to participate in a race.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 69.

CHAPTER XII OBJECTIONS, COMPLAINTS AND PROTESTS

346. A driver who wishes to make an objection shall do so as soon as the race in question is finished.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 346.

347. A driver shall notify the starting judge of his intention to make an objection.

He shall then make his objection to the racing judges by means of the communications system located in the paddock or, failing such a system, by going immediately to the racing judges’ stand.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 347; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 70.

348. Where more than one objection is submitted to the racing judges in the same race, they shall rule on each objection beginning with the one involving the last incident to occur before the finish line and so on until the first incident after the starting line.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 348.

349. Where an objection is submitted to the racing judges or where they have the word “Inquiry” displayed on the display board, they shall, as soon as possible, hold a summary inquiry in order to determine the official order of the race in question.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 349.

350. Where there is an incident or an accident or a driver is injured during a race, the racing judges shall immediately have the word “Inquiry” displayed on the display board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 350.

351. Where the racing judges ascertain that a violation of these Rules was committed during a race or where they have been so informed by another racing official, they shall immediately have the word “Inquiry” displayed on the display board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 351.

352. The racing judges shall, as soon as possible, hold a summary inquiry in cases where the rules provide that:

(1)  they may rule that a horse declared in a race may not participate in that race;

(2)  they may rule that a driver may not drive in a race or they may replace a driver in a race;

(3)  they may enter a horse on the “Qualifying List”;

(4)  they may have a horse entered on the “Veterinarian’s List”.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 352.

353. The decision of the racing judges to enter a horse on the “Qualifying List” or to have a horse entered on the “Veterinarian’s List” shall be posted in a place at the race track where the participants may consult it.

Where a driver or a horse starting in a race is replaced or scratched after the program is printed, the racing judges shall announce it to the public over the public address system.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 353.

354. Where these Rules provide that an application for permission, authorization or approval shall be made to the racing judges, the racing judges shall immediately rule on the application without holding an inquiry.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 354.

355. The racing judges may, for the purposes of a summary inquiry:

(1)  allow the parties to present their point of view;

(2)  where possible, look at the video recording of the race;

(3)  contact the racing officials who may be aware of the incident or accident and obtain their version of the facts;

(4)  take any other measure that could help them make a ruling.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 355.

356. The owner, the owner’s agent, the trainer or the driver of one of the horses participating in a race may make a complaint concerning the race.

It must be brought before the racing judges before one of the following mandatory deadlines:

(1)  for a regular race, within 72 hours after the end of the race;

(2)  for a special race, within 7 days after the end of the race.

A complaint concerning a fraud may be forwarded at any time.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 356.

357. Where the racing judges have not ruled on a complaint before a race is held, the horse in question may start, subject to the ruling of the racing judges respecting the complaint.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 357.

358. A ruling respecting a complaint made after the official result of the race has been posted on the display board shall not affect the distribution of the pari-mutuel winnings.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 358.

359. Where at the end of a race meeting it is not possible to bring a complaint before the racing judges, the complaint may be sent to the board before the deadlines prescribed in section 356.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 359.

360. Any interested person who is aware of a violation of these Rules shall immediately report it to the racing judges on duty at the race track where the violation was committed.

Where the violation reported involves a racing official or an association, it shall be made in writing and sent to the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 360; Decision 96-05-27, s. 49.

361. Where a complaint or protest has been duly made, it may not be withdrawn without the permission of the racing judges or of the board.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 361.

CHAPTER XIII VIOLATIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE MEASURES

362. Failure to comply with any of the provisions of sections 7 and 8, the second paragraph of section 13, the second paragraph of section 20, the first or second paragraph of section 22, sections 23 to 29, 33 to 39, 40 to 46, the third paragraph of section 47, sections 47.1 to 47.5, sections 48, 50, 51, 53 to 76, the second or third paragraph of section 78, sections 79, 80, 85, 87, 88, 90 and 93, the first, second, fourth or fifth paragraph of section 94, sections 97, 106, 111, 112, 123, 124, 130 and 131, the first paragraph of section 132, sections 133, 136, 141 to 143 and 147, the second paragraph of section 156, sections 160, 161, 163, 166, 167, 173, 179, 182, 188 to 190, 192 to 195, 207 and 208, the first paragraph of section 211, sections 222 to 224, the fifth paragraph of section 226, sections 234 to 239, 241, the first paragraph of section 243, sections 244 to 248, the first paragraph of section 252, the third paragraph of section 255, the first paragraph of section 257, paragraph 2 of section 261, sections 262 to 274, 276 to 284, 289, 294, 296 to 298 and 308, the second paragraph of section 310, sections 316, 317, 329 and 360 constitutes a violation, and such violation entails one or more of the following administrative measures:

(1)  a reprimand;

(2)  suspension for a given period of time, of all or some of the privileges attached to a holder’s licence;

(3)  revocation of a holder’s licence, in which case a period of time not exceeding 5 years shall be determined during which the holder may not apply for the issue of that type of licence;

(4)  denial of access to any race track or any area in any race track, for a period not exceeding 5 years;

(5)  a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $3,000 for each day the violation continues.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 362; Decision 91-03-06, s. 5; Decision 96-05-27, s. 50; Decision 2000-11-08, s. 71.

363. Every licence holder commits a violation where, through his acts or his failure to act, he aids another person in violating any of the provisions of section 345.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 363; Decision 96-05-27, s. 50.

364. Every violation of any of the provisions of paragraph 1 of section 261 or sections 345 and 363 entails both of the following administrative measures:

(1)  suspension of all or some of the privileges attached to a holder’s licence for a period of not less than 30 days or, where the licence would expire during such period, revocation of the holder’s licence. The licence holder shall not apply for the issue of that type of licence before the expiry of the suspension period, which may not exceed 5 years;

(2)  denial of access to any race track or any area in any race track, for a period not exceeding 5 years.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 364; Decision 96-05-27, s. 50.

364.1. Every violation of the provisions of paragraphs 3 and 4 of section 261 shall lead to the following administrative measures:

(1)  for a first violation committed during the 3 years preceding the violation, the suspension of all or a part of the privileges related to the holder’s licence for a period of 75 days plus the prohibition of access to any race track or any area of any race track throughout the period of the suspension;

(2)  for a second violation committed during the 3 years preceding the violation, the suspension of all or a part of the privileges connected to the holder’s licence for a period of 180 days plus the prohibition of access to any race track or any area of any race track throughout the period of the suspension;

(3)  for a third violation committed during the 3 years preceding the violation, the revocation of the holder’s licence with prohibition from submitting a new application for a licence before the expiry of a 1-year period;

(4)  for a fourth violation committed during the 3 years preceding the violation, the revocation of the holder’s licence with prohibition from submitting a new application for a licence before the expiry of a 2-year delay.

Decision 2000-11-08, s. 72.

365. The racing judges may not impose an administrative measure on a licence holder where such measure includes the suspension, for a period of more than 60 days, of all or some of the privileges granted under a licence or the revocation of the holder’s licence where a new application cannot be made before the expiry of a period of more than 60 days following the revocation.

In the above cases, the racing judges shall refer the matter to the board, which shall deal with it in accordance with section 51 of the Act.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 365; Decision 96-05-27, s. 51.

366. In addition to possibly entailing one or more of the administrative measures enumerated in section 362, a violation of section 302 or 304 shall entail one or more of the following administrative measures where a person has no valid prescription to use a drug referred to in section 301:

(1)  in the case of a first positive result within the last 24 months, a person referred to in section 303 may no longer perform his duties at a race track until he provides, at his own expense, a urine sample proving the absence of drugs and until he is authorized by the board to resume his duties;

(2)  in the case of a second positive result within the last 24 months, that person may no longer perform his duties at a race track for as long as he does not meet the following requirements:

(a)  he shall provide, at his own expense, a urine sample proving the absence of drugs;

(b)  he shall register in a rehabilitation program accepted by the board; and

(c)  he shall prove to the satisfaction of the board that he has satisfactorily completed the rehabilitation program or that he is going to complete it satisfactorily.

Notwithstanding subparagraph 2, the board may, following a hearing, exempt that person from registering in a rehabilitation program.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 366; Decision 91-03-06, s. 6.

367. Where the racing judges impose a fine or award costs, they shall fix a deadline for payment. The deadline shall be not less than 10 days nor more than 90 days.

The person sentenced to pay a fine or costs may, before the deadline, ask the board for additional time.

Where the board imposes a fine or awards costs, it shall fix the deadline for payment.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 367.

368. A driver who is suspended for a period of 5 days or less may, during his suspension, drive in a special race the horses assigned to him.

In such a case, the suspension shall be extended by 1 day for each day he drives a horse.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 368.

CHAPTER XIV APPEAL

369. Any interested person may lodge an appeal with the board respecting a decision of the racing judges where the decision involves:

(1)  a fine of $200 or more;

(2)  a suspension of 3 days or more;

(3)  the setting back of a horse entailing a loss of $200 or more on the portion of the purse to which the owner of the horse would have been entitled;

(4)  the disqualification of a horse entailing a loss of $200 or more on the portion of the purse to which the owner of the horse would have been entitled;

(5)  revocation of a holder’s licence.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 369; Decision 96-05-27, s. 52.

370. An appeal may also be lodged with the board respecting a decision of the racing judges where the decision concerns:

(1)  the validity of a claim;

(2)  a complaint;

(3)  the situation provided for in section 104;

(4)  the situation provided for in section 320;

(5)  a point of law.

Decision 90-09-19, s. 370.

371. (Omitted).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 371.

372. (Omitted).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 372.

373. (Omitted).

Decision 90-09-19, s. 373; Decision 95-09-14, s. 1.

SCHEDULE I

(s. 113)

APPLICATION FOR CLAIM

(Offer to purchase)

 _________________________________________________________________________________
|                                                                                 |
| Name of                                       Name of                           |
| association: ______________________________   horse: __________________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| I (We), the undersigned, claim the horse mentioned above participating in the   |
| ____________________________ race, held on _______ /_______ /_______. This      |
|                                              year   month    day              |
|                                                                                 |
| horse is claimed for the sum of $ _________________, in accordance with the     |
| Rules respecting Standardbred horse races held at a professional race           |
| track (chapter C-72.1, r. 4).                                                   |
|                                                                                 |
| CLAIMED BY OR FOR:                                                              |
|                                                                                 |
|          NAME                        CITY                      LIC. NO.         |
| ________________________    ________________________    _______________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| ________________________    ________________________    _______________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| ________________________    ________________________    _______________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| ________________________    ________________________    _______________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| □ I am acting as an agent in accordance with the mandate attached hereto.       |
|                                                                                 |
|   Licence No.: ______________________________     _____________________________ |
|                                                              Signature         |
|                                                                                 |
| Otherwise, the signature of the claimant(s)                                     |
|                                                                                 |
| _____________________________________      ____________________________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| _____________________________________      ____________________________________ |
|                                                                                 |
| Date:      _______ /_______ /_______.                                           |
|             year    month   day                                              |
|                                                                                 |
| □   The written attestation of the association has been supplied, in            |
|     accordance with the Rules respecting Standardbred horse racing, certifying  |
|     that the claimant(s) possess(es) in an account of the association the       |
|     amount required to pay the claiming price, the transfer and registration    |
|     fees and any allowance granted to the horse claimed.                        |
|_________________________________________________________________________________|

 _________________________________________________________________________________
|                                                                                 |
| The horse bearing tattoo number _________________________ is delivered to:      |
|                                                                                 |
| __________________________________________________                              |
|                  Name of trainer                                              |
|                                                                                 |
| Date:      _______ /_______ /_______       ____________________________________ |
|             year    month   day             Signature of racing judge     |
|_________________________________________________________________________________|
        

Decision 90-09-19, Sch. I.

REFERENCES

Decision 90-09-19, 1990 G.O. 2, 2491

Decision 91-03-06, 1991 G.O. 2, 1172

Decision 92-11-05, 1992 G.O. 2, 4984

Decision 95-09-14, 1995 G.O. 2, 2851

Decision 96-05-27, 1996 G.O. 2, 2642

Decision 97-09-02, 1997 G.O. 2, 4625

Decision 99-05-27, 1999 G.O. 2, 1648

Decision 2000-11-08, 2000 G.O. 2, 5392 and 5613

Decision 2002-06-12, 2002 G.O. 2, 3447

S.Q. 2010, c. 7, s. 282

Decision 2012-02-15, 2012 G.O. 2, 1034

Decision 2021-07-29, 2021 G.O. 2, 3370