RULE CHANGES

 

 

CHANGES FOR THE 2022/23 JUMP SEASON   CHANGES TO CLASS 1 AND 2 HANDICAP HURDLE QUALIFICATION FROM OCTOBER 1ST, 2022 Owners and Trainers are reminded that from October 1st, a novice horse shall only be qualified to run in a Class 1 or Class 2 Handicap Hurdle Race if it has run a minimum of four times in Hurdle races in Great Britain, Ireland or France in accordance with paragraph 15 of the Weights and Handicapping Code.   Please note, this does not apply to Class 1 and 2 Handicap Steeple Chases, Novices’ Hurdle or Juvenile Hurdle Races.  Qualification for these races remains at three previous runs in the appropriate race type.   GRADE 3 CHANGING TO PREMIER HANDICAPS   Also, from October 1st, 2022, all British Grade 3 Handicaps will be renamed `Premier Handicaps’. It should be noted that Premier Handicaps will continue to be afforded the same Black Type status that Grade 3 Handicaps received and will carry Grade 3 in auction catalogues.   CONFIRMED Changes to the jump pattern for THE 2022/23 season

 

GRADE 3 HANDICAPS RENAMED From 1 October 2022, all British Grade 3 Handicaps will be renamed ‘Premier Handicaps’. Premier Handicaps will continue to be afforded the same Black Type status that Grade 3 Handicaps receive at present.

 

LISTED HANDICAPS DISCONTINUED Listed Handicaps will be removed from the race programme, with those meeting the necessary criteria promoted to Grade 2 or Premier (formerly Grade 3) Handicaps and the remainder downgraded to Class 2. The full list of changes is as follows: Listed Handicaps to become Grade 2 E.B.F. Mares’ Final Handicap Novices’ Chase (Cheltenham) – retaining its limited weight-range. Listed Handicaps to become Premier Handicaps Bet365 Handicap Chase (Wetherby) Byrne Group Handicap Chase (Ascot) Badger Ales Trophy Handicap Chase (Wincanton) Gerry Feilden Intermediate Handicap Hurdle (Newbury) Rehearsal Handicap Chase (Newcastle) Silver Cup Handicap Chase (Ascot) Skybet Handicap Chase (Doncaster) Swinley Handicap Chase (Ascot) Close Brothers Novices' Handicap Chase (Sandown Park) Midlands Grand National Chase (Uttoxeter) Scotty Brand Handicap Chase (Ayr) Listed Handicaps to become Class 2 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (Uttoxeter) Bet With Ascot Handicap Hurdle (Ascot) Regulatory Finance Solutions Hurdle (Cheltenham) December Handicap Hurdle (Sandown Park) Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle (Kempton Park) Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase (Ayr) Mares' Handicap Hurdle (Cheltenham)

 

	PATTERN RACES DOWNGRADED The following races have not achieved the required Pattern Race parameters and therefore, under the Ground Rules, will be downgraded automatically: Finale Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 1 to Grade 2 (Chepstow) Summit Juvenile Hurdle, Grade 2 to Listed (Doncaster) Silver Trophy Handicap Hurdle, Grade 3 to Class 2 (Chepstow)
	ADVANCE NOTIFCATION OF CHANGES TO NATIONAL hUNT FLAT RACES TO BE INTRODUCED AFTER THE END OF THE 2022/23 season

 

The following changes will be introduced for the start of the 2023/24 season: 1. A maximum of three runs permitted in National Hunt Flat races. The only exceptions will be where: the fourth run is in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, or the Grade 2 NHF at Aintree.  Where the fourth run is in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham, a further fifth run is permitted in the Grade 2 NHF at Aintree. In the case of fillies and mares, a fourth run is permitted in either the Listed Mares’ NHF at Sandown in March or the Grade 2 Mares’ NHF race at Aintree. If the fourth run is in the Listed Mares’ NHF at Sandown in March then a further fifth run is permitted in the Grade 2 Mares’ NHF race at Aintree. 2. 6-year-olds no longer permitted to run in National Hunt Flat races after the final day of the Jump season (in any given Season commencing from the 2023/24 Season).

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

February 1st, 2021

 

Rule (E)7

Rule (E)16

Race Entry Code (paragraphs 23-26 and 37-39)

Stalls Test Code (paragraphs 14 and 15)

Weights and Handicapping Code (paragraph 67)

 

April 25th, 2021

 

Race Administration Code (paragraphs 31-33)

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

December 14th, 2020

 

Rule (F)29

Rule (K)3

Running Requirements Code (paragraphs 15A, 18)

 

January, 4th, 2021

 

Rule (F)32

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

September 17th, 2020

 

Race Entry Code (paragraph 15)

Running Requirements Code (paragraph 25 - new)

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

March 28th, 2020

 

Rule (B)22

Rule (B)28 (new)

Rule (B)37

Rules (D)12 – (D)15

Fee Code

Weights and Handicapping Code (paragraph 66)

 

Definitions of Licensed Trainer, Non-Racing Agreement (now Non-Racing Declaration), Permit Trainer, Trainer and Training Partnership (new)

 

April 26th, 2020

 

Jump Classification Table (paragraph 69 of the Weights and Handicapping Code).

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

July 15th, 2020

 

Fee Code

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

 

September 1st, 2020

 

Rules (K)1 – (K)48

Rule (L)47

 

Equine Prohibited List Code

 

Definitions

 

For further details please see http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and click on “Forthcoming Changes” or “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

March 1st, 2020

Rules (K)46 – (K)66
Banned Substances and Notifiable Medications Code
Jockey Testing Code

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect for races run on and after:-

February 1st, 2020

Weights and Handicapping Code

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on:-

January 20th, 2020

Rule (B)34
Rule (C)22
Rule (E)18
Rule (F)37
Rule (H)7
Rule (K)53
Rule (L)7
Rule (L)53
Equipment Code
Judicial Panels Code
Stable Employees Code
Starting Procedures Code

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown
below, to take effect on:-

September 21st, 2019

Rule (B)6.4
Rule (B)15
Rule (B)19
Rule (B)21
Rule (B)44
paragraphs 68 and 105 of the Judicial Panels Code

Full details of these changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.
com and by clicking on “What’s new?” on the homepage.

 

July 8th, 2019

Rule (F)36 & Rule (F)36A – Handicap flat races: weight adjustments at declaration to run

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.
britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on “Forthcoming Rule Changes” on the main menu.

 

 

Further to the previous notice regarding modifications to Schedule (B)2 and Schedule (F)5 of the Rules of Racing, to be effective from April 28th, 2019, the British Horseracing Authority has indefinitely delayed the implementation of the amendment. An additional notice will be published with any further changes.

 

 

Full details of any forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.
britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on “Forthcoming Rule Changes” on the
main menu.

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown
below, to take effect on:-

January 1st, 2019

Schedule (F)11 – Appearance Money Scheme

March 30th, 2019

Schedule (D)2 – Equipment
Rules (E)22 and (E)23 – Passport endorsement
Rule (F)34 – Handicap flat races: top and bottom weights
Rule (F)139 – Weight allowances for horses

April 28th, 2019

Schedule (B)2/Schedule (F)5 – Requirements for horse to enter race
Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.
britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on “Forthcoming Rule Changes” on the
main menu. 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown
below, to take effect on:-

January 1st, 2019

Schedule (F)11 – Appearance Money Scheme

March 30th, 2019

Schedule (D)2 – Equipment
Rules (E)22 and (E)23 – Passport endorsement
Rule (F)34 – Handicap flat races: top and bottom weights
Rule (F)139 – Weight allowances for horses

April 28th, 2019

Schedule (B)2/Schedule (F)5 – Requirements for horse to enter race

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.
britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on “Forthcoming Rule Changes” on the
main menu.

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown
below, to take effect on:-

January 1st, 2019
Schedule (G)1 - Prohibited List

February 1st, 2019
Schedule (B)4 - Equipment

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://
rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes" on
the main menu.

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown
below, to take effect on:

July, 9th 2018

Rule (F)4 - Categories of Flat Race

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at
http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes"
on the main menu.

 

 

May 31st, 2018
Rule (C)33 - Restrictions applying in relation to a horse whilst on racecourse property

July 2nd, 2018

Rule (F)70 - Making the entry: horse trained in Great Britain
Rule (F)71 - Making the entry: horse trained outside Great Britain
Rule (F)72 - Alteration and withdrawal of entry before closing
Rule (F)86 - Procedure for scratching a horse
Rule (F)88 - Procedure for making or withdrawing a confirmation of entry
Rule (F)91 - Procedure for making or withdrawing a declaration to run
Rule (F)93 - Procedure for making, withdrawing or altering a declaration of rider
Rule (F)95 - Scratching non-runners before declaration to run stage
Rule (F)97 - Exceptions to Rule 96 : non-runners
Rule (F)152 - Other definitions
Rule (F)153 - Entries, Declarations and other race administration to be made through the Racing Calendar Office 
Schedule (F)2 - Classification of Races

July 5th, 2018 (for races to be run on and after July 7th, 2018)

Schedule (F)8 - Elimination or balloting procedures

October 1st, 2018

Rule (B)22 - Weighing out procedure
Schedule (D)2 - Equipment

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes" on the main menu.

NOVICE FLAT RACES FOR THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARDS FROM JULY 9th, 2018

For races run on or after July 9th, 2018, winning horses which have run in three or more Flat races will be excluded from Novice Flat races  open to three years old and upwards. Conditions of such races will be updated to reflect this change and will supersede any "confined" conditions which previously applied, but, by necessity, these changes may take some time to be amended on the Racing Admin website. Maiden horses which have run more than three times will be eligible to run in Novice Flat races and the programme for two-year-olds will remain unchanged. 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on January 1st, 2018:-

Rule (G)5  - Testing
Rule (G)16  - Definitions
Schedule (G)2 - Whereabouts Requirements

These retrospective changes reflect an administrative error in the original amendments made to the Rules of Racing to implement a 30 day notification period for all foal births. It should be noted that nothing has changed from the communications that have been sent to owners, breeders and trainers on this matter.

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes"
on the main menu.

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the below, to take effect on

February 12th, 2018:-

Standard Conditions for Entry

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at https://www2.racingadmin.co.uk and by clicking on Information > Conditions for Entry > Standard Conditions.

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on March 24th, 2018:-

Rule (F)4 - Categories of flat race

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes" on the main menu.

Updated January 2023

 

"EXCHANGE RATES"

 

The British Horseracing Authority gives notice that the following exchange rates to the £ (Sterling) will be used from January 1st, 2023, for the purposes of calculating the value of races run outside of Great Britain and the Channel Islands:-

Currency	Ticker	2023 Rate
Argentine Peso	ARS	213.39
Australian Dollar	AUD	1.77
Bahrain Dinar	BHD	0.45
Brazilian Real	BRL	6.37
Canadian Dollar	CAD	1.63
Chilean Peso	CLP	1,023.31
Chinese Renminbi	CNY	8.32
Chinese Yuan	CNH	8.33
Czech Koruna	CZK	27.23
Danish Krone	DKK	8.39
Euro	EUR	1.13
Hong Kong Dollar	HKD	9.39
Hungarian Florint	HUF	451.90
Indian Rupee	INR	99.52
Japanese Yen	JPY	158.88
Kazakhstan Tenge	KZT	556.86
Kuwaiti Dinar	KWD	0.37
Malaysian Ringgit	MYR	5.29
Mexican Peso	MXN	23.50
Moroccan Dirham	MAD	12.59
New Zealand Dollar	NZD	1.90
Norwegian Krone	NOK	11.87
Omani Rial	OMR	0.46
Panamanian Balboa	USD	1.20
Peruvian New Sol	PEN	4.59
Polish Zloty	PLN	5.27
Puerto Rican Dollar	USD	1.20
Qatar Riyal	QAR	4.42
Russian Ruble	RUB	87.33
Saudi Arabian Riyal	SAR	4.52
Serbian Dinar	RSD	132.16
Singapore Dollar	SGD	1.62
South African Rand	ZAR	20.47
South Korean Won	KRW	1,517.39
Swedish Krona	SEK	12.56
Swiss Franc	CHF	1.11
Tunisian Dinar	TND	3.74
Turkish Lira	TRY	22.55
UAE Dirham	AED	4.43
Uruguay Peso	UYU	47.85
US Dollar	USD	1.20

 

 

 

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on 1 January 2018:-

Schedule (B)2 - Requirements for horse to enter race
Schedule (F)3 - Races permitted to divide
Rule (G)1 - Application and Scope
Rule (G)5 - Testing
Rule (G)16 - Definitions
Schedule (G)2 - Whereabouts Requirements
Syndicate Code of Conduct

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on January 19th, 2018:-

Rule (C)17C - Notification of wind surgery

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes" on the main menu.

The British Horseracing Authority has modified the Rules of Racing, as shown below, to take effect on January 1st, 2018:-

Rule (B)36 - The start
Rule (C)12 - Duty to check identity of a horse
Rule (C)18 - Information about new horse arriving from outside Great Britain and Ireland
Rule (C)31 - Prohibition on bringing horse affected with ringworm to a racecourse
Rule (D)48 - Making a report of gurgling by horse during a race
Rule (E)18 - Vaccinations against equine influenza
Rule (E)26C - Notification of pregnant horses (to become Rule (C)17B)
Rule (F)2 - Meaning of race
Rule (F)4 - Categories of flat race
Rule (F)9 - Definitions supplementing Rules 2 to 8
Rule (F)31 - Handicap flat races other than nursery handicaps: previous experience
Rule (F)41 - General restrictions on jump racing
Rule (F)90 - Extension of deadline for declarations to run
Rule (F)97 - Exceptions to Rule 96 : non-runners
Rule (F)104 - The draw
Rule (F)117 - Amount of prize money and appearance money
Rule (F)137 - Determining the value of a race
Schedule (B)3 - Requirements for horse to run
Schedule (B)4 - Equipment
Schedule (F)1 - The Racing Seasons
Schedule (F)11 - Appearance Money Scheme 2018
Schedule (G)3 - Sample Collection Procedures
Schedule (G)5 - List of BHA-Approved Laboratories

Full details of these forthcoming changes can be viewed on line at http://rules.britishhorseracing.com and by clicking on "Forthcoming Rule Changes" on the main menu.

Owners and trainers are advised of the following amendments to qualification to Handicaps -

1. Where advertised within the race conditions of races of Class 3 and below, horses will be permitted to run in certain handicap races, if they are rated 1lb or 2lb above the advertised rating range of the race and will carry the extra weight as required. Therefore in the case of a 61-75 rated handicap, horses rated 76 and 77 will be permitted to run by carrying 1lb or 2lb more than the highest weight stated.

2. This will apply to both Jump and Flat races and is intended to provide additional opportunities and assist in the placement of horses. Amateur Flat
races will be excluded.

3. As the race in question is still very much intended for the horses identified by the rating range of the race, followed by those below the rating range, as is the case currently, those horses rated above the rating range will be the first to be eliminated. Horses set to carry 2lb above the rating range (and therefore deemed to be less likely to be eliminated from other races than those rated 1lb above it) will be the first to be eliminated.

4. Where the raising of weights is necessary at the 48 hour/24 hour declaration stage, horses rated 1lb or 2lb above the rating range should be disregarded for the initial purposes of raising of the weights. Once the weights have been raised, based upon those horses rated within the rating range proper, any horses subject to weight rises resulting in a rise above 10st 7lb on the Flat and 12st 7lb over Jumps should be automatically removed from the declarations, in order that horses are not required to carry excessively large weights, which cannot have been known at the time of declaration. Such removed horses will have their entry fees refunded.

5. The Elimination Sequence in Schedule (F)8, Parts A and B have been altered in order to incorporate these changes.

With immediate effect, Jockey Club Español advises that a Racing Clearance Notification (RCN) should be received by their office prior to declaration. 

Receipt of an RCN after the deadline for declarations will be subject to a financial penalty, which will be determined by the Racing Commissioners. 

If an RCN has not been received by the day of the race, the horse will not be permitted to run.