Information Bulletin No. 4

May 6, 2016 – The Registrar has received for consideration proposed rule changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing as they relate to uncoupling of entries in overnight races.

In February 2016, Woodbine Entertainment Group (“WEG”) submitted a request to change the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing to permit uncoupling of entries in overnight races. Among other reasons, WEG suggests that there is a direct correlation in handle wagered on the number of separate betting interests in a pari-mutuel event and that the recent change to permit uncoupling in Stakes and Handicaps has been received favorably by horse racing customers. The Horseman’s Benevolent Protective Association (“HBPA”) has supported WEG’s proposal.

To be considered, comments or submissions on the proposed changes must be received by May 19, 2016

Email:
racing@agco.ca

Regular mail:
90 Sheppard Ave East
Ste 200
Toronto ON
2N 0A4
Attn: Brent Stone

Or fax:
(416) 326-5555

 

Proposed Rule Changes 

Current Ontario Rules:

Entry is:

(a) an application by an owner, trainer or authorized agent for a specific horse to run in a specific race; or

(b) two or more horses in the same race, which have common ties in owner ship or lease.

6.13.01.1 Except in stakes races and races which are conditioned for horses eligible for a specified stakes, not more than two horses of the same ownership or interest shall be entered in a race and both may start.

6.13.01.2 No owner or trainer shall directly or indirectly enter more than two horses in an Overnight Race. With the exception of stakes races, no two horses shall start if they have common ownership to the exclusion of a single entry.

6.13.01.3 Notwithstanding rule 6.13.01.1 and 6.13.01.2, any portion of any race which splits shall be considered for the purposes of these rules to be an individual race.

6.14.01 Horses trained by a public-stable trainer shall not be coupled with horses trained by another public-stable trainer un less the horses in question are owned in whole or in part by the same owners, or the Stewards or der them coupled in accordance with the provisions of rule 6.36.

(a) In all stake and handicap races starters shall be considered a separate betting interest irrespective of common ownership or trainer. Notwithstanding the above, with the exception of wagering, common owned or trained horses in all stake and handicap races must comply with rules that apply to the coupling of common owned and trained horses in overnight events.

6.14.02 All horses owned wholly or in part by the same person, or his or her spouse, or trained by the same trainer, may be coupled and run as an entry.

6.14.03 Notwithstanding Rule 6.14.02 where two or more horses are coupled as an entry only for the reason that the horses are trained by the same trainer, the racing association may with the consent of the Stewards run those horses as separate interests if

(a) the race in which the horses are entered is a sweep stake; and

(b) the nomination closing date for the race was at least six days prior to the race.

(c) Horses of different ownership, and trained by the same trainer, when entered in any overnight race, will run as separate betting interests once the race has been declared filled. Declared filled is defined as 5 separate betting interests. The Association reserves the right to require six or more betting interests in any overnight race from a minimum of five trainers.

6.14.04 If Rule 6.14.02 applies to an owner, the horse may race as a separate betting interest, with the approval of the Stewards, if the owner is not required to be licensed under the rules.

6.36 Any horses running in the same race for owners or trainers who have a direct or indirect association in the racing of thoroughbreds, which in the opinion of the Stewards could be construed as a conflict of interest, shall be coupled as an entry.

Proposed Rule Changes

Entry is:

(a) an application by an owner, trainer or authorized agent for a specific horse to run in a specific race; or

6:13 new - A trainer, owner, or authorized agent may not enter and start more than two horses of the same or separate ownership in a purse race or overnight event as separate betting interests, except under the following conditions:

(1) Stake races;

(2) Races in which there are fees required to nominate or enter; and

(3) All overnight races. In these races a trainer may not enter more than two horses. The second entry may not exclude a single entry, or be allowed if there are less than five entries received prior to the entry of the trainer’s second horse. The Association reserves the right to require six or more betting interests in any overnight race from a minimum of five trainers and owners.

(b) deleted

6.13.01.1 deleted

6.13.01.2 deleted

6.13.01.3 deleted

6.14.01 deleted

(a) deleted

6.14.02 deleted

6.14.03 deleted

(a) deleted

(b) deleted

(c) deleted

6.14.04 A horse may race as a separate betting interest, with the approval of the Stewards, if the owner is not required to be licensed under the rules.

6.36 deleted 

Line of Business: 
Number: 
4
Document number: 
10004

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