As a reminder, the expansion of claiming rules in the Standardbred Rules of Racing is now in effect. These changes expand the criteria for claims to be invalidated in certain circumstances after a claiming race and add a requirement for a pre-race warm-up assessment and post-race Observation Period.
Minor procedural changes to claiming rules in the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing are also now in effect.
Expanding the invalidation of claims rules is part of a continued effort to help ensure the highest standards of health, safety, and accountability across the horse racing industry in Ontario, aligning with the AGCO’s commitment to fostering sustainability in the sectors it regulates.
Effective Date: February 2, 2026
Please see the changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing below.
Please see the changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing below.
Summary of Standardbred changes
- Prior to racing, horses are required to complete a mandatory one-lap warm-up observed by an Official or Commission Veterinarian to assess their movement and condition on the racing surface.
- Horses are now automatically opted into a post-race observation, which provides more opportunity for any issues that would place a horse on the Veterinarians’ List to become visible. The Observation Period is to take place a minimum of 30 minutes after a claiming race.
- Claimants can choose to opt out of the Observation Period directly on the claim slip; however, doing so forfeits the enhanced invalidation of claims protections.
- The original trainer (or their representative) must take the horse directly to the observation area following a claiming race (or once they are excused from the test barn, if selected for testing) and stay for the duration of the Observation Period. Failure to comply may result in monetary penalties.
- If before the end of the Observation Period the Official or Commission Veterinarian places a horse on the Veterinarian’s List, or the horse is seen bleeding from the nostrils, requires euthanasia due to an injury, or dies, the claimant will have the option to ask the Race Officials to invalidate the claim.
- If the claimant opts to have a claim invalidated by a Race Official, the horse is to be returned to the original owner in the same physical and medical condition as when it was claimed.
Summary of Thoroughbred changes
- Horses will now be automatically opted into the Observation Period, to take place a minimum of 30 minutes after a claiming race.
- Claimants can choose to opt out of the Observation Period directly on the claim slip; however, doing so forfeits the enhanced invalidation of claims protections.
Additional resources
- New Standardbred claiming rules strengthen racehorse and industry protection
- Standardbred Official Claim Form
Note: The above Standardbred Official Claim Form is the only form that will be accepted by Judges, effective February 2, 2026. Claims will not be accepted if a telephone number for the new trainer is not provided.
Questions?
For any questions regarding changes to the claiming rule expansions, please see the Race Day Contact List.
Changes to the Standardbred Rules of Racing
Changes in Chapter 2: Definitions of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
Observation Period means the time of observation, conducted by a Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian, which may include a physical examination, after a claiming race.
Rule changes in Chapter 15: Claiming Races of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
15.20.01 The Judges, shall rule a claim invalid:
[…]
- At the option of the claimant, if before the end of the Observation Period:
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian places the horse on the Veterinarians’ List;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian observes the horse bleeding from the nostrils;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian determines the horse has suffered an injury which requires euthanasia; or
- The horse dies.
15.22 When the Judges rule that a claim is invalid and the horse is returned to the original owner:
- The amount of the claiming price shall be repaid to the claimant;
- Any purse monies earned subsequent to the date of the claim and before the date on which the claim is ruled invalid shall be the property of the claimant;
- The claimant shall be responsible for any reasonable costs incurred through the care, training or racing of the horse while it was in his or her possession; and
- The horse shall be returned to the original owner in the same material condition.
15.23 Claimants or their representative may choose to have the horse observed by an Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian. A claimant or their representative must confirm with the Judges or such other Official as set out in the track rules if they choose to waive the Observation Period. If the claimant or representative chooses to waive the Observation Period, Rule 15.20.01(f) shall no longer apply.
15.23.01 With respect to the Observation Period, the original trainer or their representative shall proceed directly and without delay, to the designated observation area; failure to comply may result in a monetary penalty or such other action, as determined by the Judges.
15.23.02 The observation shall take place a minimum of 30 minutes after the race.
15.23.03 Except in the case of an emergency, no horse shall receive treatment before the end of the Observation Period and any such treatment shall be reported to the Judges as soon as practical.
Rule changes in Chapter 22: Racing Rules of the Standardbred Rules of Racing stating:
22.36 All horses must complete a warm-up of at least one lap on the same racing strip as it will compete on, unless excused by the Judges.
22.36.01 If excused from a warm-up otherwise required pursuant to 22.36, the Judges may direct the Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian to conduct a pre-race examination of the horse.
Changes to the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing
Rule changes in Chapter 12: Claiming Races of the Thoroughbred Rules of Racing stating:
12.32.01 The Stewards shall rule a claim invalid, if:
- At the option of the claimant, approved post-race testing procedures discloses that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horse which is reported in the analysis report from the lab. Once the claim has been declared invalid by the Stewards the claimant must request within 72 hours that the horse be returned to the original owner;
- At the option of the claimant, if the horse has been found ineligible to the event from which it was claimed;
- The horse dies on the racetrack;
- The horse suffers an injury which requires euthanasia while on the racetrack as determined by either a Commission Veterinarian or an Official Veterinarian.
- At the option of the claimant, if before the end of the Observation Period:
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian places the horse on the Veterinarians’ List;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian observes the horse is bleeding from the nostrils;
- The Commission Veterinarian or Official Veterinarian determines the horse has suffered an injury which requires euthanasia; or
- The horse dies.
12.33 Claimants or their representative may choose to have the horse observed by an Official Veterinarian or Commission Veterinarian. A claimant or their representative must confirm with the Stewards or such other Official as set out in the track rules if they choose to waive the Observation Period, prior to the horse being transferred to the claimant. If the claimant or their representative chooses to waive the Observation Period, Rule 12.32.01(e) shall no longer apply.
12.33.01 With respect to the Observation Period, the original trainer or their representative shall proceed directly and without delay, to the designated observation area; failure to do so may result in a monetary penalty or such other action, as determined by the Stewards.
12.33.02 The observation shall take place a minimum of 30 minutes after the race.