MAY 2010
Changes made since the previous edition dated May 2009 :
	Total review and rewriting of Articles related to international movements of horses :
	- Article 3 (Traceability of international movement of horses),
	- Article 3A (Clearances for horses racing purposes),
	- Article 3 B (Clearance for horses breeding purposes),
	- Article 3 C (Clearance for other movements),
	- Article 3 D (Permanent exportation),
	- Article 15 (Identification of horses) ;
	Amendments to Article 6 (§ 18) and its Appendix 4 ;
	Amendments to Articles 10, 10 bis, 10 ter (new) and 10 quarter, related to reciprocation of penalties ;
	Addition of a new Article 11 bis related to the use of the whip ;
	Amendment to Article 12 related to the definition of a Thoroughbred ;
	New Appendix 10 bis to Article 27, listing the guidelines standard of protective riding equipement ;
	Ireland agrees totally to Article 16 from now on ;
	Addition of Lebanon on the list of Approved Stud-Books (Appendix 8) ;
	Addition of Bosnia & Herzegovina alongside Serbia on the list of Approved Stud-Books (Appendix 8) ;
	Addition of Zimbabwe alongside South Africa on the list of Approved Stud-Books (Appendix 8) ;
	Addition of suffixes of Lithuania (LTU), Syria (SY), Bosnia & Herzegovina (BIH) on the list of International Code of Suffixes (Appendix 2).

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The International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering is published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and brings together a series of Articles, appendices and guidelines setting out recommended best practice in significant areas of racing, stud book administration and wagering common to all jurisdictions. The Agreement is designed to assist horseracing authorities by promoting the following objectives:

• to enhance public confidence in the integrity of the sport of racing and of its breeding industry.
• to protect the safety and welfare of horses and riders.
• to coordinate and harmonise approaches across the world of racing and breeding to promote the growth of the international dimension.
• to maximise opportunities for the promotion of racing and for its financial welfare by protecting racing’s intellectual property rights from piracy by non-authorised wagering operators.

All members of the Federation commit themselves to furthering those objectives and undertake to use their best endeavours wherever this is reasonably possible. Under each Article is a list of those countries which have adopted the Article, indicating in some cases those parts which they have excluded. Members who have adopted an Article in full or in part shall make provision within their domestic rules implementing its intentions.

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Agreed by :

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Horse racing, both flat and steeplechase, is governed, in each signatory country of the present Agreement, by Rules of Racing whose application is the responsibility of the recognized Racing Authority.

Any person who runs, trains or rides a horse in any of these countries is deemed to know the Rules of Racing of the country concerned. That person is bound, without any exception, to all the provisions of those Rules and to all the consequences which may arise from them.

Decisions taken, relevant to them and to the horses they have run, trained or ridden, by the Racing Authority of the country where they have participated, can be reported by that Racing Authority to the recognized Racing Authority in their own home country in order that the decisions are extended to races run under their own Rules of Racing, provided that in taking the decision the principles of natural justice in their own country have been fully applied.

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Where the Racing Authorities of signatory countries adopt the terms of the present Agreement these must be included in their own Rules of Racing.

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RULE OF RACING

A. – INTERNATIONAL :

Group/Graded and Listed Races are the races followed by the indication G1, G2, G3, L or LR, listed in Part I of the International Cataloguing Standards Book published by the Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc., in association with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA).

Group/Graded races are also listed on the IFHA web site (www.IFHAonline.org).

Group/Graded Races are classified in three categories in descending order as follows :
Group/Grade 1, Group/Grade 2, Group/Grade 3.

The Listed Races have a lower classification than the Group/Graded races.

Granting Group/Graded Race status or upgrading a race to a higher Group/Grade, must be justified by the quality of the runners ; Listed Race status must be justified by the quality of the runners or by published National standards that ensure quality runners. Quality can be assessed by different systems : ratings, last performances, points.

Conversely, except in exceptional circumstances, Group/Graded Races must be downgraded or lose their status if the quality of the runners does not justify it and Listed Races must be downgraded if the quality of runners does not justify it or if they do not adhere to published National standards that ensure quality runners.

The first three horses finishing in a Group/Grade or Listed Race receive “Black Type” in the Sales catalogues and also carry the respective designation of the race (G1, G2, G3, L or LR).

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B. – NATIONAL :

Group/Graded or Listed Races are the races listed in Part II or III of the International Cataloguing Standards Book published by the Jockey Club Information Systems, Inc., in association with the IFHA.

These Group/Graded and Listed race indicators have no international recognition.

The first three horses finishing in races published in Part II receive “Black Type” in the Sales Catalogues.

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• For countries whose major races are published in Part I only or in both Part I and Part II of the International Catalogue Standards (ICS) book: races are regarded as Group/Graded races of the Group/Grade indicated or as Listed Races if no Group/Grade is mentioned.

• For countries whose major races are published in Part II only of the ICS book: races are regarded as Listed Races whatever the indicated Group/Grade.

• For countries whose major races are published in Part III or not published in the ICS book:  a race with Group 1 National status is regarded as a Listed Race.

Agreed by :

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In reckoning qualifications, penalties and allowances, distances shown in English measures as well as weights, should be changed into metric distances by reference to the following way :

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To facilitate international movements of registered horses, it is essential to record and monitor their movements worldwide on a permanent basis ; this requirement for traceability includes all of the journey (stop over for quarantine purposes included) ; Clearance notification, passport endorsements and/or export certificates must be documented accordingly.

There are two regimes covering the management of such horse movements:

1. Temporary exportation (see 3A, 3B and 3C)

This is when the horse travels and returns to its country of departure within the given limits of time and itinerary indicated on the clearance notification or passport endorsement.
With the prior agreement of the receiving authority, extension may be granted at the discretion of the issuing authority, to cope with exceptional circumstances.

2. Permanent exportation (See 3D)

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I – GENERAL

Any trainer running a horse in a race abroad must ensure that the Racing Authority of the Country staging the race is in receipt of an internationally agreed clearance notification which will attest, to the best of the knowledge of its home Authority as defined hereunder, that :
a)      the horse is free of restrictions
b)      the trainer is duly licensed
c)      the owner is duly registered.

It is recognised that (a) different interpretations apply internationally to where a racehorse is ‘based’ and (b) the Rules of some Racing Authorities allow for a trainer to be licensed simultaneously in more than one jurisdiction. For the purpose of this Article, therefore, the ‘Home Authority’ is defined in relation to the horse. The horse’s Home Authority is the Racing Authority of the country in which the horse was recorded as being in training immediately prior to its departure to race in another racing jurisdiction and where it was foaled or, if exported, where its Export Certificate should be lodged.

Should the horse, trainer or owner be the subject of a restriction, the Home Authority will notify the Staging Authority and the trainer of the horse of the details.

Should a Staging Authority wish for further reassurance on the current standing of a horse, its owner or trainer, they should make enquiry of the Home Authority.

Each country must submit for publication on the IFHA website [www.ifhaonline.org], the particular ‘restrictions’ of which they take account.

There are in use, at present, two systems of racing clearance:
a)      Racing Clearance Notification (RCN)
b)      passport endorsement.

When signing this article each jurisdiction must clearly indicate on which system they operate
(a or b).  As a matter of principle, each Authority can run only one of the two systems.

II – PRACTICAL

1. When the horse is to run abroad on just one occasion before returning to its Home Authority:

      1.1 The trainer must request, on every such occasion, the horse’s Home Authority to send a RCN to the Staging Authority or endorse the passport.

2. When the horse is to run more than once abroad in a single specified country before returning directly to its Home Authority:

      2.1 The trainer must request, prior to the horse’s first such race, the horse’s Home Authority to send a RCN to the Staging Authority or endorse the passport.

3. When the horse is to race in more than one country abroad before returning to its Home Authority:

      3.1 In the case of the first such race, the procedure outlined under (1) above should be followed. Thereafter, whenever the horse races in a different country from that of its most recent race, the trainer must request the Staging Authority of the country in which it has most recently competed to send an RCN to the Staging Authority of the country in which it is to race next.

      3.2 An RCN issued by a Staging Authority will not attest to the good standing of the owner or trainer, but will either attest to the fact that the horse remains free of restrictions, subsequent to its most recent race, or specify any such restriction. Should the horse be the subject of a restriction, the Staging Authority imposing that restriction will notify the Staging Authority to which the horse is due to travel of the details and will also notify the horse’s Home Authority and the trainer of the horse of such details.

4.         4.1 The maximum period of validity for a racing clearance is 90 days.  Should a horse remain outside the country of its Home Authority for a period of more than 90 days, its trainer must seek permission of its Home Authority for the continuation of this arrangement and check the local rules of racing. Should permission be granted, the Home Authority will issue a fresh clearance.

      4.2 A clearance will become invalid should the trainer or owner of the horse change after issue, in which case a fresh clearance must be requested. The clearance will also become invalid as soon as the horse leaves the country of the Staging Authority.

      4.3 Should a Staging Authority fail to receive a clearance in respect of a declared horse it may impose a fine and/or refuse to allow the horse to run in the race. If the horse is allowed to race without a clearance and irregularities subsequently emerge related to clearance then the horse may be liable to disqualification.

III – SPECIFIC

A)    Racing Clearance Notification – (The model is shown as Appendix 1-A).

1)   The portion of the RCN to be completed will depend on the circumstances of the horse’s travel. In the event of any change in those circumstances, the trainer must contact the horse’s Home Authority for a fresh RCN.

2)   A RCN must be received in writing by email or fax by the Staging Authority no later than the deadline for declaration (i.e. the last positive action required by a trainer or his representative to run in the race).

      NB. RCNs can only be accepted at times when the receiving Racing Authority is open for business. 

B)    Passport endorsement

1)   On request of a trainer wishing to race his horse abroad, the home Authority must endorse the passport and clearly indicate (stamp or sticker*):
-  name of Home Authority
-  country or countries of destination and transit
-  date of endorsement
-  name, age, sex and breed of the horse
-  expiry date
      certifying that the horse is free of restriction or specifying any such restriction.
         (*) the model of the stamp / sticker is shown as Appendix 1-B.

2)   An email of the above information must be sent by the home authority, no later than the deadline for declaration, to the staging authority of the country where the horse is to race next.

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RACING CLEARANCE NOTIFICATION (RCN)
CERTIRCAT POURCOURIR A L'ETRANGER(RCN)

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Any owner sending a stallion or a mare abroad for breeding purposes must inform in advance the Stud Book Authority of the country where the animal is standing at time of exportation, supplying the relevant details and requesting that this Stud Book Authority :

either

a)
      1) Endorses the passport (sticker or stamp*) prior to export and,
      2) Informs accordingly the Stud Book Authority of the country of final destination (by email or fax) transmitting the DNA certificate for the horse and, for pregnant mares, the DNA certificate(s) of the covering stallion(s).
      (*) the model of the stamp / sticker is shown as Appendix 1-C.

or

b)
      Sends directly a Breeding Clearance Notification* (BCN) by email or fax to the Stud Book Authority of the country of final destination, transmitting the DNA certificate for the horse and, for pregnant mares, the DNA certificate(s) of the covering stallion(s). A certified copy of the Clearance should be delivered to the applicant for insertion into the relevant passport.
(*) the model of the BCN is shown as Appendix 1-D.

      Before returning, the owner of the horse should apply to the Stud Book Authority of the country of temporary residence for a further Clearance to be supplied to the Stud Book Authority of the country of permanent residence providing the details as stated above;

The clearance is valid for :
1) one breeding season (9 months maximum)
2) one country of destination

Any failure in the above detailed process could be detrimental to the breeding and or racing status of the breeding stock, including the relevant foals, and will therefore necessitate the transfer of the Export Certificate to guarantee the traceability of movements;

When signing the article the approved Stud Book Authority must clearly indicate which system they operate (a : Passport or b : Breeding Clearance Notification).

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This is only applicable when the horse involved will leave its home country for a period of less than 9 months and will return home inside this 9 month period, the reason for travel being neither to race, nor to be used for breeding.

In these cases the passport must be endorsed by the relevant Authority prior to departure, that Authority being obliged to notify the Authority in the country which the horse will visit. 

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Where the period of exportation is greater than the given limit shown on the Clearance Notification and/or the itinerary has been modified without consultation of relevant authorities and/or if there is no intention to return the horse to its departure country, the Export Certificate must be sent to the Approved Stud Book Authority of the country to which the horse has moved. Should the Stud Book Authority of the country of destination not be approved, a Certified Copy should be sent and the original Certificate retained until requested for by an Approved Stud Book. The DNA certificate must be appended to the Export Certificate.
 
In all cases those operations must be fulfilled prior to the horse travelling.

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Agreed by :

At the time of the publication of the 2010 International Agreement, the following countries had not answered concerning Article 3 A :

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In order to avoid having a number added to the name of a horse coming from abroad, the registered name must have a suffix added to it, showing the country of foaling.
                                
The suffix between brackets is taken from the International Code of Suffixes (Appendix 2) and constitutes part of the animal’s registered name.

Agreed by :

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INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SUFFIXES
CODE INTERNATIONAL DES SUFFIXES

Suffixes	Countries/Pays	Suffixes	Countries/Pays
ALG	Algeria – Algérie	LEB	Lebanon – Liban
ARG	Argentina – Argentine	LIB	Libya – Libye
AUS	Australia – Australie	LTU	Lithuania - Lituanie
AUT	Austria – Autriche	LUX	Luxemburg – Luxembourg
AZE	Azerbaijan - Azerbaïdjan	MAL	Malaysia – Malaisie
BAR	Barbados – La Barbade	MAU	Mauritius – Ile Maurice
BEL	Belgium – Belgique	MDA	Moldavia – Moldavie
BHR	Bahrain – Bahrein	MEX	Mexico - Mexique
BIH	Bosnia & Herzegovina – Bosnie-Herzégovine	MOR	Morocco - Maroc
BOL	Bolivia – Bolivie	MTA	Malta  - Malte
BRZ	Brazil – Brésil	NDO	Indonesia  - Indonésie
BUL	Bulgaria – Bulgarie	NOR	Norway  - Norvège
CAN	Canada	NZ	New Zealand  - Nouvelle Zélande
CEY	Ceylon – Ceylan	PAK	Pakistan
CHI	Chile – Chili	PAN	Panama
CHN	China – Chine	PER	Peru – Pérou
COL	Colombia - Colombie	PHI	Philippines
CRI	Costa Rica	POL	Poland – Pologne
CRO	Croatia – Croatie	POR	Portugal
CUB	Cuba	PR	Puerto Rico – Porto Rico
CYP	Cyprus – Chypre	PRY	Paraguay
CZE	Czech Republic – République Tchèque	QA	Qatar
DEN	Denmark – Danemark	RUM	Rumania – Roumanie
DOM	Dominican Republic – Rép. Dominicaine	RUS	Russia – Russie
ECU	Ecuador – Equateur	SAF	South Africa – Afrique du Sud
EGY	Egypt – Egypte	SEN	Senegal
FIN	Finland – Finlande	SLV	El Salvador
FR	France	SPA	Spain – Espagne
GB	Great Britain - Grande Bretagne	SRB	Serbia – Serbie
GEO	Georgia- Géorgie	SRH	Rhodesia – Rhodesie
GER	Germany – Allemagne	SUD	Sudan – Soudan
GR	Greece – Grèce	SVK	Slovakia – Slovaquie
GTM	Guatemala	SVN	Slovenia – Slovenie
HK	Hong Kong	SWE	Sweden – Suede
HOL	The Netherlands  - Pays Bas	SWI	Switzerland – Suisse
HUN	Hungary – Hongrie	SY	Syria - Syrie
IND	India – Inde	THA	Thailand – Thaïlande
IRA	Iran	TRI	Trinidad & Tobago
IRE	Ireland – Irlande	TUN	Tunisia – Tunisie
ISR	Israel	TUR	Turkey – Turquie
ITY	Italy – Italie	UAE	United Arab Emirates  - Emirats Arabes Unis
JAM	Jamaica – Jamaïque	UKR	Ukraine
JPN	Japan – Japon	URU	Uruguay
KAZ	Kazakhstan	USA	United States of America  - Etats Unis d’Amérique
KEN	Kenya	VEN	Venezuela
KOR	Korea – Corée	YUG	Yugoslavia – Yougoslavie
KSA	Saudi Arabia  - Arabie Saoudite	ZIM	Zimbabwe

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A complete record of a horse’s performances must be received by the Horseracing Authority of the country staging the race at time of entry. For early closing races for which qualification is solely by age or sex this record must be received by the Horseracing Authority eight days before the race.

The name and address of the owner or his representative must be shown.

If the record of performances does not arrive within the required time, the entry may be invalidated. The same applies if any additional record of performances does not arrive at the Horseracing Authority before the time of the first forfeit or declaration of runners.

The owner or his representative is responsible for the transmission and accuracy of this record to the relevant Horseracing Authority by the requisite time.

When a horse is exported after sale, the new owner or his representative or his trainer should supply a complete record of performances to the Horseracing Authority of the country of importation.

The record of performances must include all the information laid down in Appendix 3. Individual countries may also require additional information.

Trainers must notify their Home Authority of any performance abroad of any horse in their care, within a timescale laid down by that Authority, which should include similar information to that laid down in
Appendix 3.

A Staging Authority must inform the Home Authority where a horse is trained of any subsequent demotion or promotion following an enquiry of a horse trained abroad (for example, in the event of a finding of a prohibited substance) occurring in a race run in the country of the Staging Authority.

Agreed by :

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Issued by (Home Authority) : ………………………………………………….

RACING PERFORMANCES OF : ……………………………………………..

Year of foaling : ……….   Sex : …………………..   Coat : ………………..   Country of birth : ………..................

By (Sire name) : ……………………………………….   Out of (Mare name) : …………...………………………….

Issued in : ……………………………………    on ……………………………………………………..

* This does not include any Owners’ Premiums or Breeders’ Prizes

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Objective 

1.    The objective is to protect the integrity of horseracing, with attendant benefits as detailed in the ‘Introduction’ to this International Agreement, through controlling the use of substances capable of giving a horse an advantage or being disadvantaged in a race, contrary to the horse’s inherent merits.

Sampling

2.    To establish whether a prohibited substance is present, samples shall be taken from horses that have run in a race.  Horseracing Authorities may also take samples at any other time, according to their own rules. Sample means a sample from any part, or in contact with any part, of the horse.

3.    A sample collected under a secure chain of custody shall be split into an A sample and a B sample. If the A sample is reported to contain prohibited substances, the B sample may be analysed for those substances, either automatically or optionally at the trainer’s or owner’s request.


4.    In the event of a Horseracing Authority finding a prohibited substance in a sample taken from a horse which is entered or has run in a race within its jurisdiction but which is trained abroad, the Horseracing Authority where the horse is trained is to be informed and shall provide assistance when requested.

Sanctions

5.    A horse shall be disqualified whenever a sample taken after it has raced contains a prohibited substance.  The trainer of the horse shall be penalized, except when he has discharged his responsibilities as described hereunder beyond reproach.

6.    Where a sample taken from a horse at any other time contains a prohibited substance, Horseracing Authorities may, according to their own rules, impose sanctions on the horse, trainer, owner or other persons.

The trainer’s responsibilities 

7.    The trainer shall always be responsible for:

the feeding, management, protection and security of the horses in his care
taking all reasonable precautions with the horses in his care to avoid their exposure to prohibited substances contrary to the rules of the Horseracing Authority
keeping informed of the possible consequences of treatment given to his horses.

Raceday regulations

8.    With the exception of veterinarians authorized by the Stewards or Horseracing Authority, nobody shall bring into the stables of a racecourse on a raceday either a prohibited substance or any means of administering such a substance.

9.    After a horse has raced and before it is discharged from any requirements for postrace sampling, no treatment with prohibited substances shall be allowed without official permission.

Prohibited substances

10.    The following are prohibited substances:

    Substances capable at any time of acting on one or more of the following mammalian body systems:
the nervous system
the cardiovascular system
the respiratory system
the digestive system
the urinary system
the reproductive system
the musculoskeletal system
the blood system
the immune system except for licensed vaccines against infectious agents
the endocrine system


    Endocrine secretions and their synthetic counterparts
    Masking agents.

11.   A finding of a prohibited substance means a finding of the substance itself or a metabolite of the substance or an isomer of the substance or an isomer of a metabolite.  The finding of any scientific indicator of administration or other exposure to a prohibited substance is also equivalent to the finding of the substance.

12.   With the objective of helping trainers and their veterinary advisers, Horseracing Authorities may include in their own rules examples of prohibited substances.

13.   With the objective of providing guidance to horseracing tribunals, Horseracing Authorities may produce a classification of prohibited substances.

Thresholds

14.   Thresholds can only be adopted for :

substances endogenous to the horse
substances arising from plants traditionally grazed or harvested as equine feed
substances in equine feed arising from contamination during cultivation, processing or treatment, storage or transportation.

15.   Thresholds shall be recommended by the Federation’s Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances, after consultation with official analysts and veterinarians of signatory countries, and approved by the Federation.

16.   Prohibited substances below the following thresholds are not actionable:

N.B. : The conjugated substance is the substance that can be liberated from conjugates.

17.   For any finding of a prohibited substance, the Horseracing Authority may decide either itself or at the owner’s or trainer’s request to examine the horse further.

Laboratory service

18.   The aim of signatory countries is that their laboratories should :

• be accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025, General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories, and to the supplementary document ILAC-G7, Accreditation requirements and operating criteria for horseracing laboratories

• conform with the Guide for establishing the presence of prohibited substances (Part B of ILAC-G7)

• meet the Performance specification of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (Appendix 4)

• take part in interlaboratory comparisons (clause 5.9(b) of ISO/IEC 17025:2005).

• control the detection of legitimate therapeutic substances through the application of internationally harmonised screening limits which have been recommended by the IFHA’s Advisory Council on Prohibited Substances and Practices and selectively adopted by the relevant signatory countries.

19.   With the objective of preventing infringements, Horseracing Authorities may at their discretion:

• make available detection times
• give forewarning of new or modified tests
• provide an analytical service to establish whether a sample from a horse entered to race contains prohibited substances the trainer specifies.

ARGENTINA.................................................... authorizes the use of Furosemide and of Phenylbutazone,
BRAZIL (Jockey Club Brasileiro) *.............. authorizes the use of Furosemide ,
CHILE............................................................... authorizes the use of Furosemide and of Phenylbutazone,
ITALY................................................................ with a different threshold of Carbon Dioxide as indicated in § 16,
JAPAN.............................................................. with the exception of § 16
KOREA............................................................. with the exception of § 14
MACAU............................................................. with the exception of § 16 and 18
NEW ZEALAND.............................................. with the exception of Appendix 4 and of Altrenogest, Albroxol,
........................................................................... Bromhexine, Debrexine and Omeprazole
NORWAY......................................................... with the exception of paragraphs related to “Thresholds” ,
PERU............................................................... authorizes the use of Furosemide and of Phenylbutazone,
PHILIPPINES.................................................. with the exception of § 16 and Appendix 4
SAUDI ARABIA *............................................. authorizes the use of Furosemide and of Phenylbutazone,
SINGAPORE................................................... with the exception of § 18
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA................... with the exception of § 5, 10 and 14,
VENEZUELA *................................................. authorizes the use of Furosemide and of Phenylbutazone,

CANADA

* Countries marked with an asterisk(*) did not answer to the 2010 proposal of amendments (§ 18 alinea 4 and 5 and Appendix 4).

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Performance Specification of the Laboratories for doping control
required by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities

This specification describes the minimum analytical capability required to detect exposure. It must not be construed as restricting in any way the chemical groups or concentrations that may constitute positive findings. Many laboratories will be able to surpass this specification, and the interpretation of whether a finding and a particular concentration would constitute a violation is governed by the relevant Rules of Racing.

Procedures should ensure that the laboratory can find prohibited substances in equine body fluids and prove their presence. Test methods must cover the chemical groups typified by the representative list. Each substance in the representative list must be detectable and identifiable at the concentration shown, if necessary after hydrolysis of metabolic conjugates. In addition, test methods must also reliably quantify threshold substances at concentrations that would be declared positive.

N.B. : These concentrations must not be construed as regulatory thresholds.

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Each Horseracing Authority should prevent the use of shoes which it considers dangerous.

The trainer is responsible for ensuring that horses in his care when racing are properly shod according to the Rules prevailing in the country staging the event.

From time to time an inspection of shoes should be made before a race to ensure horses are properly shod and the Stewards should prevent any horse from starting in a race equipped with dangerous shoes.

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Riders should be weighed before and after a race in order to control that the horse carries the correct weight in accordance with the conditions of the race.

When weighing out or weighing in, the following pieces of equipment should be excluded from the weight :  

• body protector
• skull cap
• whip
• number cloth
• anything worn on horse’s legs
• breastplate – breastgirth
• bridle
• horse’s headgear
• martingale
• muzzle
• rings.  

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In order to avoid too much variation between racing colours, a guideline for standard jacket, sleeve and cap design on owners’ colours has been agreed (Appendix 5).

Jacket, sleeve and cap design registered by a racing authority before it becomes a signatory of this Article may also be considered to fall within this guideline.

Every horse coming from abroad runs in the registered colours of its owner subject to the Rules of Racing of the Horseracing Authority of the country staging the race.

Agreed by :

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Any form of advertising/sponsorship carried by a rider, a horse or a horse’s attendant during a race meeting should at all times comply with any restrictions imposed on advertising/sponsorship by the Horseracing Authority of the country where such race meeting is taking place.

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I. -   Except where Horseracing Authorities insist on issuing their own licence, whenever a rider goes to take part in a race in a foreign country, he may ride in that country without a licence being issued by the Horseracing Authority of that country provided that he declares that he is the holder of a valid licence or permit to ride and that he is not currently under any suspension or medical restriction imposed by a Horseracing Authority and that he is currently free from injury and fit to ride at that time.

       In order to assist a rider in riding abroad, a declaration sheet in five languages has been issued which allows a person to state to the Horseracing Authority of the country in which he has come to ride :

1. That he is the holder of a valid licence or permit to ride ;
2. That he has not been penalised in a way which disallows him from taking part in a race ;
3. That he is or is not subject to any future period of suspension ;
4. That he agrees to be bound in all respects by the Rules of the recognised Horseracing Authority concerned when riding abroad and that he accepts that any suspension imposed by that authority may be extended by other Horseracing Authorities under their domestic Rules and in accordance with their laws of public order.

      This paper, signed by the rider and endorsed by the Clerk of the Scales is to be sent to the Horseracing Authority of the country where the licence has been issued, on the day after the race. The endorsement by the Clerk of the Scales shall state whether or not the rider incurred a suspension and whether or not he had a fall. (Appendix 6)

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Countries in which the Horseracing Authority, appearing as signatory to this article, insists on issuing its own licence for foreign jockeys wanting to ride in the country : Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia/Singapore, Mexico, South Africa (other than for brief visits).

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II. -   When a rider has been suspended from riding in accordance with the Rules of Racing in force where the race is run :

a) This suspension shall be total and shall apply to all races run under those Rules of Racing.

b) Such suspension shall not commence before the ninth day following the racing offence, thus leaving time for the penalised rider to appeal and for the Horseracing Authority to hear the appeal. However, where a rider at the effective commencement of a riding suspension is already suspended by any Recognised Horseracing Authority, the new suspension shall begin at the commencement of the day following the completion of any previous period of suspension

 

III.-  When a rider is referred to the Horseracing Authority of the country in which he had ridden by the Stewards of the meeting or he appeals to that Horseracing Authority against a decision of the Stewards of the meeting, he should have the following minimum rights :

(i)       to be informed, in a language which he understands, of the nature and cause of the accusation against him ;

(ii)      to have adequate time for the preparation of his defence ;

(iii)     to defend himself in person or be represented by a person nominated by him;

(iv)      to examine witnesses against him and to obtain the attendance and examination of witnesses on his behalf under the same conditions as the witnesses against him

(v)      to have the free assistance of an interpreter if he cannot understand or speak the language used in the hearing.

      Furthermore, when a rider is charged under the rules of racing of the country in which he has ridden then he must, in respect of either the hearing of those charges or the hearing of a subsequent appeal or appeals, be allowed representation by a person nominated by him who has a current approval to practice law in that country.

IV.- The Horseracing Authority of the country in which the rider had ridden, must immediately advise the Horseracing Authority of the country in which the licence or permit has been issued of the original suspension and subsequently of the result of any appeal hearing and, if deemed necessary, request that reciprocation of the penalty be applied. Such suspension will then automatically apply in the country where the licence or permit has been issued, subject to the domestic rules of racing made in furtherance of Article 10ter below.

V.- Any rider in a foreign country must comply with the Rules prevailing in the country staging the event as they concern the display of advertising on rider’s clothing

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I. -   When a horse is entered in a race run in a foreign country, its owner, trainer and rider will be deemed to have knowledge of the Rules of Racing applicable in that country and to have agreed to be bound by those Rules. Each country must make sure that this obligation is published when its principal races are published abroad.

II. -   When a result of an original enquiry or an appeal hearing by the Horseracing Authority of the country concerned, an owner, trainer or rider is liable to be banned, the owner, trainer or rider should have the same minimum rights as laid down inArticle 10.. III above.

III.-   When a ban is imposed, the Horseracing Authority must immediately advise the Horseracing Authority of the country where the owner, trainer or rider is registered or licensed, of the original ban and subsequently of the result of any appeal hearing and, if deemed necessary, request that reciprocation of the penalty be applied. The ban will then automatically apply in that country, subject to any special conditions required by the laws of natural justice in that country.

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1. Each signatory to this Article shall include in its domestic Rules of Racing provisions dealing with the reciprocation of penalties. These provisions shall, to the maximum extent possible, mirror the contents of the following MODEL RULE:

“(a) Subject to sub-rule (b) of this rule, any person on whom a suspension or disqualification has been imposed by any recognised horseracing authority is a suspended person or a disqualified person under these rules so long as the suspension or disqualification continues unless the [name of domestic authority] declares that the suspension or disqualification shall not have effect under these rules. An application to the the [name of domestic authority] for such a declaration may be made by the person suspended or disqualified provided that he has exhausted all procedures for appeal available under the Rules of the recognised horseracing authority.

The person suspended or disqualified must particularise reasons why he believes the penalty does not comply with the laws of natural justice.

(b) Where a person upon whom a suspension or disqualification has been imposed by a recognised horseracing authority has made an application for a declaration under sub-rule (a) or this rule, the [name of domestic authority] have power to defer the suspension or disqualification under these rules pending their decision on the application.”

 

2. In the event that the domestic authority does not reciprocate a penalty imposed by a recognised horseracing authority, it must, without delay, inform that recognised horseracing authority of its decision and the reasons why the penalty has not been reciprocated.

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1. When a horse has been suspended from racing in accordance with the Rules of Racing in force where the race is run, the suspension shall be total and shall apply to all races and for such time as laid down under those Rules of Racing.
2. The Horseracing Authority of the country concerned must immediately advise the Horseracing Authority of the country in which the horse is trained of the suspension and of any appeal hearing and, if deemed necessary, request reciprocation of the penalty. Such suspension will then apply in the country where the horse is trained, subject to any special conditions required by the laws of natural justice in that country.
3. Requests for reciprocation of the penalty may also need to be made to other recognised Horseracing Authorities as applicable in order to prevent a suspended horse from racing in other countries.

Following such request(s) the suspension will then apply in the respective country subject to the conditions stated above.

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Agreed by :

The following countries were signatories of former Articles 10, 10 bis and 10 ter and did not answer to the proposed
amendments for the 2010 International Agreement :

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Appendix 6

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In the Northern Hemisphere a weight allowance is given to horses foaled between July 1st and December 31st(Appendix 7).

In the Southern Hemisphere a weight allowance is given to horses foaled between January 1st and June 30th (or July 31st for Australia, New Zealand and South Africa)

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This Guideline gives examples of use of the whip which are prohibited:
-    Using the whip to the extent of causing injury.
-    Using the whip with the arm above shoulder height.
-    Using the whip with excessive force.
-    Using the whip on a horse which is showing no response.
-    The continued use of the whip on a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone.
-    The unnecessary use of the whip on a horse that has clearly won its race or has obtained its maximum placing.
-    Using the whip on a horse which is past the winning post.
-    Using the whip on the flank of the horse.
-    Using the whip with excessive frequency.
-    Using the whip on any part of the horse’s head or in the vicinity of the head.
-    The use of the whip in front of the saddle while the whip is held in the forehand position, unless exceptional circumstances prevail.

Agreed by :

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REMISES DE POIDS ACCORDEES (en kilos) aux chevaux nés entre le 1er juillet et le 31 décembre
par rapport aux poids portés par les chevaux du même âge, nés entre le 1er janvier et le 30 juin.

Distance	Ages	Mars	Avril	Mai	Juin	juillet	Août	Sept.	Oct.	Nov. & Déc.
Jusqu'à 1.200 m inclus	2 ans......... 3 ans......... 4 ans.........	- 2 ½	- 2 ½	- 2 -	- 2 -	3 1½ -	3 1½ -	3 1½ -	3 1 -	3 1 -
Supérieure à 1.200 m jusqu'à 1.600 m inclus	2 ans......... 3 ans......... 4 ans.........	- 2 ½ 1	- 2 ½ 1	- 2 ½ ½	- 2 ½ ½	3 ½ 2 ½	3 ½ 2 ½	3 ½ 2 -	3 ½ 1 ½ -	3 ½ 1 ½ -
Supérieure à 1.600 m jusqu'à 2.000 m inclus	2 ans......... 3 ans......... 4 ans.........	- 2 ½ 1 ½	- 2 ½ 1	- 2 ½ 1	- 2 ½ 1	4 2 ½ ½	4 2 ½	4 2 ½	4 2 -	4 2 -
Supérieure à 2.000 m jusqu'à 2.400 m inclus	3 ans......... 4 ans.........	3 1 ½	3 1 ½	3 1 ½	3 1 ½	2 ½ 1	2 ½ 1	2 ½ ½	2 ½	2 -
Supérieure à 2.400 m jusqu'à 3.000 m inclus	3 ans......... 4 ans.........	3 ½ 2	3 ½ 2	3 ½ 2	3 ½ 1 ½	3 ½ 1 ½	3 ½ 1	3 1	3 ½	3 ½
Supérieure à 3000 m	3 ans......... 4 ans.........	- 2 ½	- 2 ½	- 2 ½	- 2	4 2	4 1 ½	4 1 ½	4 1	4 1

Note : Les âges indiqués ci-dessus correspondent à ceux de l’hémisphère nord.

__________________________________________

ALLOWANCES GIVEN (in pounds) to horses foaled between July 1st and December 31st
in the Southern Hemisphere
with regard to weights carried by horses of the same age, born between January 1st and June 30th.

Note : The ages shown are those which apply in the Northern Hemisphere.

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BOOKS OF HEREDITY (STUD-BOOKS)

A Thoroughbred is a horse which is recorded in the Thoroughbred Stud Book of the country of its foaling, that Stud Book having been granted Approved status by the International Stud Book Committee (Appendix 8) at the time of its official recording.

1: QUALIFICATION

For a horse to be eligible to be recorded in an approved Thoroughbred Stud Book all of the following requirements must be satisfied:

1.1        The horse must be the product of a mating between a sire and a dam, both of which are recorded in an approved Thoroughbred Stud Book or either or both must have been promoted from a Non-Thoroughbred register under the terms set out in Article 13 paragraph 4.1.

2: SERVICE TO PRODUCE AN ELIGIBLE FOAL

2.1        The Thoroughbred must be the result of a Stallion’s mating with a Mare which is the physical mounting of a Mare by a Stallion with intromission of the penis and ejaculation of semen into the reproductive tract.  As an aid to the mating and if authorised by the Stud Book Authority of a country certifying the Thoroughbred, a portion of the ejaculate produced by the Stallion during such mating may immediately be placed in the reproductive tract of the Mare being bred.

3: GESTATION TO PRODUCE AN ELIGIBLE FOAL

1. A natural gestation must take place in, and delivery must be from, the body of the same Mare in which the Foal was conceived.  Any Foal resulting from or produced by the processes of Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer or Transplant, Cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation not herein specified, shall not be eligible for recording in a Thoroughbred Stud Book  approved by the International Stud Book Committee.

4: RECORDING OF THE MATING AND RESULT

4.1        The details of the mating must be recorded by the Stallion owner or authorised agent on an official form or electronic system provided or approved by the Stud Book Authority certifying the Thoroughbred which should include:

4.1.1     name of the Stallion,
4.1.2     name of the Mare,
4.1.3.    the first and last dates of mating to the Stallion and,
4.1.4     a statement signed by the Stallion owner or authorised agent that the mating was natural and did not involve the processes of Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer or Transplant, Cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation (see 3.1).

4.2        The details of the Foal at the time of foaling must be recorded by the Mare owner or authorised agent on an official form or electronic system provided or approved by the Stud Book Authority certifying the Thoroughbred which should include:

4.2.1     name of the Stallion,
4.2.2     name of the Mare,
4.2.3     exact date of foaling,
4.2.4     colour of the Foal,
4.2.5     gender of the Foal,
4.2.6     name of the Breeder of the Foal who is the Owner(s) of the Mare at the time of foaling,
4.2.7     country of foaling

4.2.8     a statement signed by the Mare owner or authorised agent that the Foal was not the result of Artificial Insemination, Embryo Transfer or Transplant, Cloning or any other form of genetic manipulation (see 3.1).

5: IDENTIFICATION & DESCRIPTION

5.1 The description of the Foal must be recorded by a person authorised by the Stud Book Authority on an official form or electronic system provided or approved by the Authority certifying the Thoroughbred which should include:

5.1.1     name of the Stallion,
5.1.2    name of the Mare,
5.1.3    exact date of foaling,
5.1.4    colour of the Foal,
5.1.5    gender of the Foal,
5.1.6    name of the Breeder (see 4.2.6)
5.1.7    country of foaling
5.1.8    a detailed description of permanent and acquired identifying markings of the Foal which should include all leg markings, face markings, hair whorls, scars, tattoos, brands and a microchip number, if found, which should be substantiated by either colour photographs or physical inspection.

 

6: PARENTAGE VERIFICATION

6.1 The Stud Book Authority certifying the Thoroughbred must require further evidence of parentage based upon typing of genetic factors present in blood, hair and/or other biological samples and must certify:

6.1.1     that the genetic typing is only undertaken by a laboratory approved by that Stud Book Authority for that purpose,
6.1.2    that the laboratory is an institutional member of ISAG and participates to the satisfaction of the International Stud Book Committee in comparison tests,
6.1.3    that all genetic typing results and details are maintained in strict confidence and are only disclosed to other Stud Book Authorities granted approved status by the International Stud Book Committee and,
6.1.4    the Stud Book Authority conducts routine genetic typing and parentage verification of all horses applying for recording in their Stud Book.

Agreed by :

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LIST OF APPROVED STUD BOOKS (67)

ARGENTINA AUSTRALIA AUSTRIA AZERBAIJAN BAHRAIN BARBADOS BELGIUM & LUXEMBURG BRAZIL BULGARIA CHILE CHINA COLOMBIA COSTA RICA CROATIA CYPRUS CZECH REPUBLIC DENMARK DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ECUADOR FINLAND FRANCE GERMANY GREAT BRITAIN & IRELAND GREECE GUATEMALA HUNGARY INDIA ITALY JAMAICA JAPAN KAZAKHSTAN KENYA KOREA LEBANON

LITHUANIA MALAYSIA MEXICO MOROCCO NETHERLANDS NEW-ZEALAND NORWAY PANAMA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES POLAND PORTUGAL QATAR ROMANIA RUSSIA SAUDI ARABIA SERBIA, BOSNIA & HERZEGOVINA SLOVAKIA SLOVENIA SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE SPAIN SWEDEN (a-register) SWITZERLAND SYRIA THAILAND TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO TUNISIA TURKEY UNITED ARAB EMIRATES USA, CANADA & PUERTO RICO URUGUAY VENEZUELA

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1. Scope and purpose of Register.

Where appropriate a register should be kept of horses which cannot be entered in an approved Thoroughbred Stud Book. The purpose of this register is to ensure that all relevant particulars of every horse named for racing purposes are known and registered.

2. Acceptance of broodmares and stallions in the register.

The criteria for the acceptance of broodmares and stallions to the register should be clearly defined.

3. Conditions for recording foals in the register. 

The conditions for recording foals born to broodmares in the register should follow identically the conditions contained in sections 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of Article 12.

All foals recorded in the register should be published.

4. Promotion of horses from a register to an approved Thoroughbred Stud Book. 

4.1. Procedure

4.1.1 A foal may be promoted from a register to a Thoroughbred Stud Book only when the following conditions are all satisfied :

4.1.1.1    the foal can prove eight thoroughbred crosses consecutively including the cross of which it is the progeny,

4.1.1.2    the foal’s pedigree can show such performances in races open to Thoroughbreds, in both the Thoroughbred and non-Thoroughbred sections of its pedigree as to warrant its assimilation with Thoroughbreds.

4.1.1.3    the promotion is approved by the unanimous agreement of the International Stud Book Committee.

4.2. Explanation of terms

4.2.1       A Thoroughbred cross. A cross, or mating, in which one or other partner is in the category of horse described in Article 12.1.1.

4.2.2       Performances. In assessing the adequacy of performances the following criteria should be adopted :

4.2.2.1. In general, the area in which the performances should be seen is the line in which the non-Thoroughbred flaw or "impurity" has occurred. This will usually be the tail female.

4.2.2.2. In the "impure" line there should be either :

- a horse which, by its performances, demonstrated that it was above the average for the breed, or,

- a sequence of horses with winning performances.

4.2.2.3. In general, the performances mentioned in 4.2.2.2 above should be found within at least the first three generations from the foal.

4.2.2.4.  In considering the performances of a mare or stallion the performances of their other progeny may be taken into account.

4.2.2.5. Performances should mean wins, or possibly places.

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1.   The registration of a name for a horse can only be made by or with approval of the competent Authority of      its country of birth.

   For a horse born abroad, the application to register a name must be made through the relevant authority of the country where the export certificate is lodged.

     The change of a name already registered and published can only be requested from the Authority which originally registered that name.

2.    An International List of Protected Names is maintained and published by the International Federation according to the Rules adopted by the Executive Council. The List covers the names of certain horses whose fame derives from their accomplishments on the racecourse or at stud. The Rules governing inclusion on this List are set out under Appendix 9.

3.     Concerning names registered and not protected, the following criteria are provided as a guideline forming the basis upon which Authorities may establish a suitable period during which registered names will not be reused:
1.   in the case of stallions, 15 years after death or 15 years after the last recorded year in which they covered mares or at 35 years of age (whichever is the soonest).
2.   in the case of broodmares, 10 years after their death or 10 years after the last recorded year in which they were covered or produced a foal, or at 25 years of age.
3.   in the case of all other horses, 5 years after their death, or at 20 years of age (whichever is the soonest).
4. Names cannot be accepted if they are already registered subject to the conditions on re-use of names set out above, nor if :
1. - they appear on the International List of Protected Names,
2. - they have more than eighteen characters, including signs or spaces,
3. –  they are the name of a public person, without that person’s or their family’s permission,
   or names of commercial significance without the appropriate permission,
4. - they are followed by numbers,;
5. - they are made up entirely of or include initials, figures, hyphens, full stops, commas, signs,
    exclamation marks, inverted commas, forward or back slash, colon and semi-colon.
6. – they are suggestive or have a vulgar, obscene or insulting meaning ; names considered in
   poor taste ; or names that may be offensive to religious, political or ethnic groups,
7. - in pronunciation, they are identical or similar to a protected name or a name registered for a horse
   whose year of foaling is within ten years of that of the horse in question.
8. - they start with a sign other than a letter.

Agreed by :

Countries appearing in italic types were signatory of this Article in 2005, but did not give their position regarding
amendments on § IV for the 2006 issue and for additional alineas to § I for the 2009 issue.

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RULES ADOPTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
FOR ESTABLISHING THE INTERNATIONAL LIST
OF PROTECTED NAMES FROM 2006
_______________________

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The control of a horse's identity is one of the prime considerations in the operation of racing, breeding and health management. It is necessary that identity control should be made at the horse's first public race start as well as for every horse coming from abroad, and recommended for every claiming or selling race. This identity control has to be performed as well at every stage of breeding operations (covering, registration of foal, etc.). It is as well recommended before public sales.
 
The official papers which allow a horse to be identified can be separated into two categories :
 
1. Export Certificate:
 
The Export Certificate or Electronic Notification of Export (including markings) is sent directly by the exporting authority to the relevant authority of the country to which the horse is exported when the exportation is permanent, or when the period of export exceeds the period for which the clearance notification or the endorsement of the document of identification is valid (see Articles 3).
 
2. Passport:

2.1  The Stud Book Authority certifying the Thoroughbred must produce a passport which certifies:
 
  2.1.1  the authenticity of the pedigree, the age, sex and colour.

 2.1.2  the markings, photographs (if applicable) or other characteristics used to identify the Thoroughbred which should include all permanent identifying markings such as leg markings, face markings and hair whorls and may include other identifying characteristics such as night eyes/chestnuts, brands, tattoos, scars and microchips or other such electronic devices,
 
 2.1.3  the parentage of the Thoroughbred based upon typing of genetic factors present in blood, hair and/or other biological samples
 
  2.1.4  the Breeder and,
 
  2.1.5  the Stud Book volume and page number where the Thoroughbred is recorded, or the Stud Book volume where the horse will be recorded in the future, or, if the Stud Book is recorded electronically, where to access the appropriate Stud Book record.

 2.1.6  Additional pages for vaccinations and administrative endorsements.
 
2.2. The document should be printed in the principal language of the issuing Authority. It is a requirement that the principal information held within the document is also translated into English or French.  
 
2.3 The document must always accompany the horse and should only be altered by, or with the express permission of, the issuing Stud Book Authority.
 
2.4 The loss of the document must be notified to the issuing Authority who are the only party permitted to issue a duplicate copy.
 
2.5 The document of a dead horse should be returned to the relevant Authority of the country in which it died.

Agreed by :

At the time of the publication of the 2010 International Agreement, the IFHA Secretariat did not receive answer to the proposed amendments from the following country : ALGERIA.

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FINANCIAL SETTLEMENTS

The Horseracing Authority which forwards an entry in a race to be run in a foreign country is responsible for the payment of the amount of the forfeits or the entrance fee, unless specific alternative arrangements have been agreed between the respective authorities..

Agreed by :

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Horseracing Authorities should make available a summary of their country’s laws which may impact on the financial or taxation arrangements of those participating in horseracing in that country.

Agreed by :

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Where qualification, penalties or allowances are based upon prize money won, international comparisons should be calculated by reference to an exchange rate which each Horseracing Authority has set for this purpose.  This exchange rate being the rate applicable on the first working day of the year will normally apply for a full Calendar year (other than in exceptional circumstances, such as when a currency is re-valued) and should be published by each Horseracing Authority for the benefit of participants as soon as practicable after 1st January. Countries may wish to publish their information on the IFHA website.

Agreed by :

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I. The effect of a person being on a forfeit list is that the person is disqualified and loses the right to enter, to race, to train or to ride any horse in any race until the outstanding amount has been paid.

II. A horse for which amounts are owed is also disqualified and cannot be entered to take part in any race while it is on a forfeit list.

III. When a person or a horse is on a forfeit list the Horseracing Authority must request reciprocation should that Horseracing Authority require disqualification to be imposed by another country.

IV. The disqualification will then automatically apply in that country, subject to any special conditions required by the laws of natural justice in that country.

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Article deleted

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In order to make international exchange easier, transfer accounts have been established between the various Horseracing Authorities within the limits of and according to the foreign exchange regulations of each country.

The keeping of these accounts is done in the currency of the country of origin in their books.

The use of these transfer accounts is limited to operations connected with racing and breeding and does not include payment for horses sold which has been transferred separately.

An “ advice of international transfer ” is used for all operations other than the transfer of racing winnings.

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INTERNATIONAL MOVEMENT OF HORSES

1. Principles

The international movement of horses both for competition and for breeding has increased significantly since the original adoption of the International Agreement on Breeding and Racing, in 1966.

The Horseracing and Stud Book Authorities (Horse Authorities) of the countries which are signatories to this Article recognise the need for scientifically based rules for the international movement of horses to prevent the spread of infectious and contagious diseases.
To this end they undertake to have the health principles contained in the health rules detailed below, applied in their respective countries on all racecourses, training centres, collecting centres and breeding establishments under their control, which receive foreign horses. They strongly recommend the application of the same rules to all horses, which may come in contact with imported horses and indeed to all places where horses are gathered.
Authorities undertake not to amend these rules in any way without consulting beforehand their counterparts in other signatory countries.

Rules, which should be drawn up in cooperation with the national veterinary authority, should cover the movement of horses between countries and, in the case of temporary movements, the separation into agreed groupings, the stabling and training of horses, whilst in the country of temporary import. Such rules aim to minimise the risk of disease introduction into, and disease spread within, a country and between countries.

Due consideration should be given to the provisions of the Office International des Epizooties * (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code when formulating health rules.

All Authorities should be aware of the publication “Guidelines to Facilitate the Temporary Movement of Registered Racehorses for International Races” adopted by the 36th Conference of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA), October 2002. The Guidelines serve as a basis for discussion with each country’s veterinary authorities in order to achieve international harmonisation Updated Guidelines are available on line at www.IFHAonline.org.

2. Temporary Import
1. Certification

All horses must fully meet the import conditions of the importing country (unless there is an agreed dispensation) and must be accompanied by health certification, issued by the National Veterinary Authorities of the exporting country.  The health certification must confirm with that agreed between the National Veterinary Authorities of the exporting and importing countries and must include a detailed description of the horses being certified. This may be by reference to a passport, or another official identification document. In these cases, the number of the identification document and the name of the validating authority must be included on the health certification.

Horses should travel with their passport, or another official identification document validated by an approved Horse Authority which is signatory to this Agreement.  

Prior to racing or breeding, the passport, or other official identification document, issued by an approved Horse Authority which is a signatory to this Agreement, must be inspected by the relevant Authority in the importing country to confirm the identity of the horse.

2. Hygiene Requirements

All equipment used during transport, including vehicles and air stalls, should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to use.

All stables used for imported horses should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected prior to use.

All disinfectants used for the above purposes should be approved for use by the National Veterinary Authority.

When arranging the stabling and training of temporarily imported horses, consideration should be given to the conditions that will apply when the horse is exported, as well as to national rules.
 
Access to stabling facilities should be restricted to authorised persons only and visitor records should be maintained.

Whenever necessary protection against insect vectors of disease must be practised by making use of physical barriers, timing of exercise periods, insecticides and insect repellents.

Standard Operating Procedures should be established in cooperation with the National Veterinary Authority and should cover biosecurity, management of stables and training of imported horses. All persons associated with the horses should be made aware of them.

Imported horses should be held under the supervision of an Approved Veterinary Surgeon who should be responsible for ensuring compliance with agreed protocols and Standard Operating Procedures.

The Approved Veterinary Surgeon will be a person approved by both the Horse Authorities and the National Veterinary Authorities of the importing country.

Standard Operating Procedures should set out the responsibilities of the Approved Veterinary Surgeon and should cover the use of local staff, facilities and equipment.  They should also clearly define responsibilities and lines of communication.

The Approved Veterinary Surgeon or his/her approved delegate should be responsible for confirming the identity of imported horses, carrying out daily health inspections, including monitoring rectal temperatures (which should be taken and recorded twice daily) and for ensuring overall compliance with Standard Operating Procedures. 

The Approved Veterinary Surgeon should liaise closely with the National Veterinary Authorities of the importing country and the Horse Authorities. The Approved Veterinary Surgeon should report, immediately, any significant signs of contagious or infectious disease.

 

3. Welfare

Horse Authorities should advise connections of horses, and their shipping agents, to be aware of national and international welfare legislation and to give careful consideration to the welfare of horses when they are being transported. 

Horses should be accompanied by personnel who are experienced in transporting horses by the method of transport being used and who are familiar with emergency procedures.  There should be sufficient personnel to cover any emergencies that might occur.

When horses are to be exported by air due regard should be given to the Live Animals Regulations (LAR) of the International Air Transport Association +(IATA).

Subsequent to their arrival at their destination and prior to commencing training and racing, horses should be inspected by an Approved Veterinary Surgeon to ensure that they are in a suitable condition to resume training or racing and are free from signs of infectious and contagious disease.

The relevant rules of racing of the Horseracing Authorities of the importing country relating to protection of the welfare of racehorses must be available to horse connections.

 

4. Treatments

All treatments to horses must comply with the rules of racing and/or national regulations. All treatments should be recorded and all injections should be administered using disposable needles and syringes.

The relevant rules of racing and national legislation relating to the treatment of horses must be available to horse connections.

*  Office International des Epizooties,
    12, rue de Prony,
    75017 Paris,
    France.
    Tel: +33 (0) 1 44 15 18 88
    Fax: +33 (0) 1 42 67 09 87
    Email: oie@oie.int
    Website: www.oie.int

*    International Air Transport Association,
    www.iata.org/index.htm

Agreed by :

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Vaccination of horses to reduce the risk of their introducing infectious disease as well as protecting them from acquiring disease from the indigenous population is strongly recommended.

Horseracing and Stud Book Authorities (Horse Authorities) should be aware of their National Veterinary Authority’s vaccination requirements.

Horse Authorities should give consideration to requiring vaccination against diseases, which are not covered by their national legislation.

Information on vaccinations and vaccination protocols should be available from the Horse Authority.

All vaccinations should be given by a registered veterinary surgeon.

A record, endorsed in writing by the administering veterinary surgeon, detailing the date of vaccination, the vaccine type and the batch number should be made, and should appear in the passport where one exists.

This record should accompany the horse and be made available to the relevant Authorities when required.

Agreed by :

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Horseracing and Stud Book Authorities should ensure that new information concerning the state of health of breeding and racing horses in their respective countries is communicated to their National Veterinary Authority and via the International Collating Centre* (ICC) to all signatories to this Agreement.

-     It is agreed that the International Collating Centre shall send, to the Secretariat of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, its Quarterly Report as well as Interim Reports, for circulation to all its members.

-     Every Horseracing and Stud Book Authority in conjunction with the country's Thoroughbred Breeders Association, shall appoint one veterinarian, who will be the official contact with the International Collating Centre.

Horseracing and Stud Book Authorities should permanently liaise with their National Veterinary Authorities regarding measures to prevent spread or entry of disease.

*International Breeders’ Meeting,
International Collating Centre,
Animal Health Trust,
Information Exchange on Infectious Equine Disease,
Lanwades Park,
Kentford,
Newmarket,
Suffolk CB8 7UU,
England.
Tel: + 44 (0) 1638 750659 Ext: 1203
Fax: + 44 (0) 1638 555659
Email: amanda.tanner@aht.org.uk
Website: www.aht.org.uk/icc/iccform.html

Agreed by :

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Merged with Article 24

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When one Authority receives information from a third party or parties, correctly and in due time in accordance with that Authority’s Rules, and fails to convey the information to another Authority, or conveys it incorrectly, the intended or receiving Authority will wherever practical accept or correct the information as long as the original notification to that other Authority complied with the intended or receiving Authority’s Rules.

Notification to one Authority shall for these purposes be deemed notification to the intended or receiving Authority.

Agreed by : 

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1. Standard of medical fitness to ride
   
   Racing Authorities are advised that they should establish a medical standard for riders which is available in written form on request. When issuing a licence (permit), the Racing Authorities should ensure that the rider’s health conforms to the standard they have established.

 

2. Protective equipment
   
   To protect riders from avoidable injury, Racing Authorities should ensure that each rider wears appropriate protection for the head, body and eyes. The equipment worn by riders should conform to whatever standards are in operation.

 N.B :  The Appendix 10 bis is a guideline to riders on the standard protective equipment required
            to be worn by all riders by each Horseracing Authority.

3. Medical arrangements on racecourses
   
   Racing Authorities are advised that they should establish a standard for medical personnel and equipment to safeguard the health of riders. The racecourse authority should ensure that this standard is implemented on race days.

 

4. Testing of biological samples – Control of prohibited (banned) substances
   
   To protect the health of riders, to ensure a safe racing environment and preserve the integrity of the sport, Racing Authorities should establish a set of rules for the testing of biological samples in relation to the control of prohibited (banned) substances.

 

5. Racetrack environment
   
   Racing Authorities are advised that they should establish minimum safety guidelines to ensure that riders are not unduly exposed to any preventable hazard. The racecourse authority should ensure that these matters are addressed on every race day.

N.B. :   The Appendix 10 is a guideline set of standards which may assist Horseracing Authorities to define
            their own requirements.
*
Agreed by :

The following countries were signatories of former Article 27 and did not answer to the proposed amendments for the 2010 International Agreement :

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GUIDELINE SET OF STANDARDS
for health protection for riders to assist Horseracing Authorities
to define their own requirements

STANDARD OF MEDICAL FITNESS TO RIDE

1. Introduction – Mission statement
   
   Race riding is an activity that requires each and every rider to exercise physical skills and judgement of an extremely high order. Any failure in a rider’s performance may not only put his/her life in danger but may also put others at risk of injury, permanent disability or death.
   
   Assessing medical fitness to ride should be done by specialised Doctors in conjunction with the family Doctor.

1. Frequency – Age
   
   Frequency :
   
   Medical examination before 1st licence.
   
   Regular medical checks as deemed necessary.
   
   Age :
   
   When issuing a licence, consideration should be given to the age of the applicant in relation to maturity (minimum age) and any possible decline in mental or physical skills (maximum age).

1. Content of medical examination / questionnaire
   
   This document should include :
   
   - a signed declaration by the rider to include details of his/her medical history.
   - a full record of the physical examination to cover all aspects required for racing – including Item 4  
     (see below).
   - a written declaration by the examining doctor certifying fitness to ride.
   
   N.B. : It is the responsibility of the issuing authority to ensure that fitness to race is taken in consideration when a licence is issued.

4.   List of contra indications which must be published :

      * means the jockey as well as the other competitors may be accountable for the risk.
      The absence of * means that the jockey can be solely held responsible.

In the following list, R. means refused, D. means deferred.

b) Endocrine and metabolic disorders :

Diabetes *
      - insulin dependent – R
      - requiring oral medication – D
      - controlled by diet – D
      Thyroid disease – D
      Diabetes insipidus – R *

c) Gastro-intestinal and abdominal disorders : *

      Cirrhosis decompensated – R
      Chronic pancreatitis – R
      Chronic active hepatitis – R

d) Genito-urinary and renal disorders :

      Chronic renal failure – R
      Renal transplant – R

e) Gynaecological conditions : *

      Pregnancy
      - normally – D
      - last three months - R

f) Haematology :*

Haemorrhagic disorders – R

g) Hearing : *

      Hearing should be adequate for the rider to hear all instructions and to ensure that the safety of other riders is not put at risk.
      Any loss greater than 20 Db (binaurally) is pathological in a jockey.:
      - New applicants – R
      - Existing licence holders – D
      - Bilateral total deafness, surdimutism - R
      - One side total deafness with controlateral air and bone conduction loss
  greater than 20 db - R
      - Any disorder in the eardrum and medium cavum leading to a binaural hearing loss
  greater than 20 db - R
      - Acute otorrhea – D
      - Unilateral uncompensated vestibular areflexia – R
      - Bilateral hyporeflexia with directional preponderance - R
      - Vertigo syndrome, resolvent after treatment of cause,
  in the absence of ideonystagmographic disorder - D
      Perforated eardrum – D
      Chronic suppurating otitis media – D
      Otosclerosis – D
      Prothesis – R

h) Musculo-skeletal disorders :
Artificial limbs – R

i) Neoplasia / cancer – D 

j) Neurological disorders : *

      Chronic neurological disorders (eg. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, etc.) – R
      Chronic Menieres, vertigo or labyrinthitis – R
      Cerebrovascular disease – R
      Meningitis or encephalitis – D
      Intracranial tumour requiring craniotomy – D
      A-V malformation after a bleed – R
      Intracranial aneurysm – R
      Narcolepsy – R
      Epilepsy – R

k) Psychiatric disorders :

      Neuroses – D
      Psychoses – R

l) Respiratory disorders : *

      Respiratory insufficiency affecting performance – R

m) Visual acuity : *

- Monocular vision – R
Visual field defect – R (homonomous hemianopia, bilateral glaucoma, bilateral cataract,
 bilateral retinopathy, etc.)
      Diplopia – R
- Less than 6/9 in the better eye and 6/18 in the weaker eye – R

n) Recent surgery / operations – D

o) Medication :*

Any regular treatment which may impair fitness to ride.

1. Introduction / Mission statement
   
   Medical arrangements on racecourse should be covered by a guide.
   
   This guide should ensure that prior to racing all arrangements are in place as listed below and racing is safe to proceed.
2. Personnel
   
   Doctor (mandatory)
   Paramedics ambulance personnel (mandatory)
   Nurse for infirmary
   First aid fence attendants
3. Transport
   
   Ambulance (mandatory)
   Route of access for ambulance to all areas of the track
4. Equipment appropriate
   
   Equipment should be available to cope with any situation that may arise.
   
   Doctor
   Ambulance
   Infirmary
5. Communication
   Permanent availability of communication between all medical staff involved on the racecourse and between the racecourse and outside specialised services.

Details of all procedures should be available for riders in writing. This should include a list of prohibited substances, and practises, with details of all penalties imposed for infringements.

*

Preventable hazards

Introduction

The conduct of racing involves the use of a number of fixed and moveable structures which may pose a hazard to riders. Racing Authorities should establish minimum safety guidelines for the following areas of concern.

Rails and marker poles

Rails and marker poles should preferably be flexible and concrete should be avoided.

Parade ring / paddock

Non-slippery surfaces for horses are recommended. Access should be controlled.

Obstacles / wings / bypassing procedures

Obstacles should be constructed so as to be fair to both riders and horses. Wings should be flexible (see rails and marker poles above). Arrangements for bypassing should be prepared when appropriate.

Starting stalls / tapes – elastic

Starting stalls / tapes should be well maintained and regularly tested.

Public / horses

Provision should be made to separate members of the public from all equine areas before, during and after racing.

Ground, landing site, lightening, meteorology

When adverse conditions put the safety of riders at risk, racing should be suspended.

Map of the course

A clear map and instructions should be readily available on race days for riders.

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GUIDELINE STANDARDS OF RIDING EQUIPMENT
required by Horseracing Authorities to protect riders from avoidable injury

STANDARD OF PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT TO RIDE

1. Helmets
A - European Standard EN1384:1996, EN1384:1997 and PAS015:1994

B - JRA Standard (ARAI)

C - Australian Standard AS/NZS 3838 2003

D - USA Standard ASTM F11 63-01
2. Safety Vests
A – European Standard EN13158:2000 Level 1

B – JRA Standard (DESCENTE)

C – ARB Standard 1998

D – Satra Jockey Vest Standard Document M6 issue 3

E – ASTM F2681 - 08

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WAGERING

1. In the International Agreement the term wagering shall be taken to include, without limitation, totalizator, pari-mutuel, fixed-odds or any form of bookmaking and/or betting exchange operations by whatever means (including, without limitation, electronic and telecommunications media through the Internet, interactive TV, telephone, mobile phone and other "hand-held" devices).
2.            Each signatory of this Article shall respect the jurisdictional integrity of every other signatory in the provision of wagering on racing.
3.          The use of racing events, pictures and data relating thereto for wagering purposes shall only be made with the express consent of the organisation staging those racing events and/or its authorised licensees and franchisees and/or other relevant rights holders.
4.       Wagering opportunities shall only be offered in another country with the express consent of that country's relevant governmental authorities, if required, and in compliance with the legal and regulatory requirements of that country.
5.       All signatories to this Article shall inform their respective governments or governmental supervisory institutions about their adoption and observance of this Article and, subject to paragraph VI of this Article, shall undertake all possible efforts to lobby for legislative and/or regulatory support of this Article and to prevent wagering operators based in its jurisdiction from acting in breach of paragraphs III and IV of this Article.
6.          Where a signatory to this Article is a body that does not have direct control over wagering then the obligations of this Article shall be read as being a commitment of best endeavours to promote respect for the Article within its jurisdiction.
7.          The signatories to this Article shall strive to ensure complete integrity and security of their respective operations. Every effort will be made to ensure that wagering will be conducted fairly and not used as a means for any illegal activities, in particular, for money laundering.

Article 28 BIS. –STANDARD FOR ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF PRE-RACE INFORMATION RELATED TO WAGERING .

Appendix 11 [http://www.ifhaonline.org/resources/2008_Appendix11.PDF] sets out a Standard for
the international transmission of data relating to forthcoming races, in support of wagering activity. This
encompasses both the data elements to be included and the format in which they should be transmitted.

Where countries enter into agreement that such information should be provided, the transmitting country
should observe the Standard, upon request from the recipient country.

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LICENSING

The granting of a licence to a trainer or the granting or renewing of a licence to a rider by a Horseracing Authority should as a guideline take account of the following criteria in order to safeguard the welfare of participants and the horse.

TRAINERS

Experience and Qualifications

Trainers should:

1. Have sufficient experience of working in a training establishment;
2. Be able to demonstrate recognition of the signs of normal health, common diseases and ailments in the horse and have an understanding of preventive medicine and veterinary treatment;
3. Be able to demonstrate the principles of exercise physiology and feeding;
4. Possess sufficient knowledge of racecourse procedures and the Rules of Racing of the Horseracing Authority;
5. Possess any formal qualifications required by the Horseracing Authority - for example, a qualification in Racehorse Care and Management. 

Facilities

Trainers should:

1.  Possess suitable premises including adequate stabling arrangements. (The applicant or a suitably experienced and responsible employee to live at the premises);
2.  Have access, within a reasonable distance, to gallops or facilities for training racehorses;
3.  Where necessary, have access to starting stalls for schooling horses through starting stalls;
4. If relevant, have access to obstacles or nursery facilities for schooling or teaching horses to jump.

General

1.  The applicant to be considered of “good standing”.
2.  The applicant to provide suitable references in support of the application.
3.  The applicant to provide a relevant business plan for the first 12 months of operating, if required. 

RIDERS

Experience and Qualifications

Riders should:

1. Demonstrate sufficient riding competence and experience as required by the Horseracing Authority including the satisfactory completion of an apprenticeship or riding course.
2. Satisfactorily complete any training and assessment course as required by the Horseracing Authority.

Medical Fitness

1. Comply with the medical standards established by the Horseracing Authority (see Article 27).

General

1. The applicant to be considered of “good standing”.
2. The applicant to possess sufficient knowledge and appreciation of the Rules of Racing insofar as they affect Riders.

Agreed by :

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