The modifications are underlined or deletions indicated.
Effective October 8th
Definition of Novice
For the purpose of the 2020/2021 National Hunt Season
“Novice” for hurdle races means a horse which has not won a hurdle race prior to 3rd May 2020. However, any horse which wins a hurdle race for the first time from 1st February 2020 up to and including 2nd May 2020 (other than a Weight For Age Grade 1 Hurdle) will be qualified as a Novice for the period up to and including the 29th November 2020.
For steeplechase races means a horse which has not won a steeplechase prior to 3rd May 2020 other than one hunters steeplechase in the previous two National Hunt seasons. However, any horse which wins a steeplechase for the first time from 1st February 2020 up to and including 2nd May 2020 (other than a Weight For Age Grade 1 Steeplechase) will be qualified as a Novice for the period up to and including the 29th November 2020.
Effective October 19th
Rule 67. For Flat Handicaps.
(i) (a) A horse shall only be eligible to run in a handicap which before the time of entry has run and finished at least three times in flat races run under the Rules of Racing in Ireland, with the following exceptions:-
(b) [Text Deleted and subsequent clauses renumbered]
(b) Horses [Text Deleted] which, before the time of entry, have won a flat race, may at the discretion of the handicapper, be handicapped (subject to Rule 66(i)(c).
(c) Horses [Text Deleted] which, before the time of entry, have run and finished at least three times in flat races
(i) run under these Rules or
(ii) run under the Rules of a Specified Authority or
(iii) some of which have been run under these Rules and some of which have been run under the Rules of a Specified Authority
may be eligible to run in a handicap at the discretion of the handicapper subject to Rule 66(i)(c).
N.B. In the case of nursery handicaps only, a horse must be returned in training with a Licensed Trainer in Ireland at the time of entry.
In this Rule a “flat race” does not include:
- an Irish National Hunt Flat Race
- a National Hunt Flat Race run in Great Britain.
- a flat race, for Amateur Riders, run under the Rules of a Specified Authority
- a flat race confined to AQPS French Bred horses
(d) A horse shall not be allotted an initial handicap rating where in the opinion of the handicapper its performance would justify a rating below 45.
Effective October 19th
Rule 91(v)
The IHRB must be satisfied that the certification of vaccination is in compliance with this Rule 91 before a Horse may enter Racecourse Property or run in a Race and shall be entitled to request evidence of same. The vaccination certification must have been approved by the IHRB [Text Deleted] by 5pm the last working day prior to the day of declaration.
Effective October 19th
Rule 194
A horse shall not be permitted to run in any race for which it has not been declared to run in accordance with this Rule. (…)
(ii)f When no declaration of Hood, Blinkers, Eyecover, Visor, Eye shield, Sheepskin Cheek Pieces, or Tongue Strap has been declared they must not be worn by the horse on the way to the start or during the race and if it is not possible for the horse to race without them it shall not run save where a Trainer requests permission from the Stewards for a horse to wear a hood, which must be red in colour, in the parade ring and on the way to the start, but it must be removed by the Trainer (or their representative):
- i) before the horse is loaded into the stalls; or
- ii) before the horses are called in by the Starter,
and it must not be worn during the Race.
[Text Deleted]
(…)
Blood Disorder, Respiratory Infection
(a) Where a horse is withdrawn from an engagement on the grounds of a blood disorder or respiratory infection then it shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 13 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
Note: An application may be made to the Keeper of the Match Book or in his absence to another Senior Racing Official to revise the 13 [Text Deleted] day restriction imposed on running where the diagnosis of respiratory infection is subsequently proven, to the satisfaction of the Keeper of the Match Book or Senior Racing Official, to be incorrect.
Coughing, Nasal Discharge, Allergy
(b) Where a horse is withdrawn from an engagement on the grounds of coughing or nasal discharge or allergy then it shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 6 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
In Season
(c) Where a horse is withdrawn from an engagement on the grounds of being “in season”, it shall not be permitted to run for 3 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the meeting. [Text Deleted]
Illness, Stress, Injury
(d) Where a horse is withdrawn from an engagement on the grounds of illness, stress or injury then it shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 3 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
When withdrawals are made for reasons outlined in paragraphs (a), and (b) above a veterinary certificate is not required and when made for reasons outlined in paragraphs (c) and (d) above no fine shall be imposed provided a veterinary certificate in the manner prescribed in paragraph (vi) below is lodged within three days (on which the Office of the Directors of the IHRB is open for general business) of the race to the Office of the IHRB. Failure to lodge a veterinary certificate within 3 such days shall render the Trainer liable to a fine of €200. If a Trainer fails to lodge a veterinary certificate on more than three occasions in one calendar year, an automatic additional fine of €500 will be imposed and he may be reported to the Referrals Committee.
(vi) All veterinary certificates relating to non runners must state the date and time of the veterinary examination, the meeting and date in which the horse was declared to run and the condition which rendered the horse unfit. The veterinary certificate must be signed by the Veterinary Surgeon who is neither the owner nor the trainer of the horse.
The Directors of the IHRB using their powers under Rule 20 (xviii) shall exercise their right on occasion to appoint a Veterinary Officer to enter the training establishment of any licensed trainer on the day of the race, when the horse is withdrawn due to veterinary advice, to determine the validity of the reason for not running. Upon arrival at the training establishment, the trainer or his representative shall make available to the Veterinary Officer, the necessary identification documents for the horse and the veterinary certificate outlining the reason for not running. Such veterinary certificates must be available for inspection on the day of the race at the training establishment from the time the horse is withdrawn. If for any reason the veterinary certificate in the prescribed format is not available or there is a variance of opinion as to the validity of the reason or if the reason for not running as notified to the Clerk of the Scales in accordance with Rule 194 (iii) (a) cannot be validated by the Veterinary Officer, the matter will then be referred to the Keeper of the Match Book who may subsequently refer the matter to the Referrals Committee.
(vii) Sanctions imposed by the Stewards on Trainers and restrictions imposed on horses withdrawn for reasons listed in (a), (b), (c), (d), (e) and (f) below are as follows:
Off Feed
(a) Where a horse is reported to be “off feed” a fine of €200 shall be imposed on the trainer and the horse shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 3 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
Ground Conditions
(b) Where a horse is withdrawn due to “ground conditions”, a fine of €200 shall be imposed on the trainer and the horse shall not be permitted to run in any race for 2 days, commencing on the day following the race meeting, unless permission for the withdrawal is granted by the Stewards.
Declared in Error
(c) Where the excuse “declared in error” is offered, a fine of €200 shall be imposed on the trainer for the first occasion and not less than €320 for each subsequent occasion in any one calendar year. A horse which has been declared in error shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 2 days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
Non Appearance or No Excuse
(d) Where a horse fails to fulfil an engagement and the trainer does not appear or does not offer an excuse through a representative then a fine of €400 shall be imposed on the trainer and the horse shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 2 days, commencing on the day following the race meeting.
Other Reasons for Non Running
(e) Where a horse is withdrawn for any reason other than those previously stated in this Rule a fine of not less than €200 shall be imposed on the trainer and the horse shall not be permitted to run in any other race for 2 days, commencing on the day following the race meeting. The reason ‘’runs tomorrow’’ shall not be regarded as a valid excuse.
Permission or Order of the Stewards
(f) Where for any reason a horse is withdrawn from an engagement by permission of the Stewards no fine or suspension will be imposed.
When a horse is withdrawn by order of the Stewards, following consideration of an opinion from the IHRB Veterinary Officer under Rule 18(b), it may be suspended under Rule 14(iii) for a period of not less than 3 [Text Deleted] days, commencing on the day following the racemeeting.
When a horse is withdrawn by order of the Stewards for any other reason it shall be at their discretion whether any sanction shall apply.
When withdrawals are made for reasons outlined in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), (d) (e) and (f) above, a veterinary certificate is not required.
Effective October 19th
- (a) In the event of an appeal against a decision of the Stewards, the Licensing Committee or the Referrals Committee being withdrawn or dismissed, or the period of suspension being varied any suspension imposed will start on the date originally imposed or, in exceptional circumstances on such date as the Referrals Committee or the Appeals Body shall direct.