Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) are committed to upholding the Equine Welfare and Traceability Strategy of Harness Racing Australia (HRA), thus trainers and owners are reminded of their obligations regarding the notification of the death of a registered horse and the disposal of any deceased registered horse.
Trainers and owners are reminded that it is an offence under the Australian Trotting Stud Book Regulations (ATSBR) for the Stewards to not be immediately notified by the owner or trainer of a death of a registered horse if a horse dies whilst in the care of a licensed trainer. It is also an offence if HRA, HRV or the Stewards are not notified of the death of a registered horse by the owner or trainer within 24 hours of its occurrence in any other case.
Trainers and owners are also reminded that it is an offence under the ATSBR to dispose of the carcass of a horse whose death has been notified, or which should have been notified, without the permission of the Stewards or HRV.
Owners are also reminded that when a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse (including retaining the horse for the purposes of breeding), it is an offence under the ATSBR if HRV are not notified within seven days of the horse’s retirement.
Relevant ATSBR
11 Retirement or Death of a Horse
(1) HRA may on application made by the owner of a horse withdraw the registrationcertificate of a horse.
(2) Notification of retirement or death shall be given to HRA on Form R25-A or in such manner or form as may be determined by HRA.
(3) (a)Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse, the owner of the horse at the time of its retirement from racing must, within seven days of the horse’s retirement, notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant form prescribed by the Registrar.
(b) Where a registered horse has been retired from racing or a decision has been made to not race the horse but retain it for purposes of breeding, the owner of a horse at the time of its retirement from breeding must, within seven days of the horse’s retirement notify the Registrar by lodging the relevant form prescribed by the Registrar.
(4) The owner or trainer of a registered horse at the time of its death shall:-
(a) In the case of a horse which dies whilst in the care of a licensed trainer immediately notify the Stewards of the death.
(b) In any other case notify HRA and the Controlling Body or Stewards of the death within twenty four hours of its occurrence.
(5) A notification of death under sub rule (4) shall be in writing or such other form as HRA, the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine.
(6) The person in possession of the dead horse’s registration certificate shall within 7 days of such notification return the certificate to HRA.
(7) The owner or trainer shall comply with any direction given by HRA, the Stewards or the Controlling Body to verify the death.
(8) The owner or trainer of a horse whose death has been notified, or which should have been notified, under sub rule (4)(a) shall not dispose of the carcass without the permission of the Stewards or the Controlling Body.
(9) Where notification has been given in accordance with sub-rule (3) the horse will be ineligible to race unless it is re-registered.
(10) Sub rules (3), (4), (5), (6), (7), (8) and (9) are Offence Provisions.
For further information on this matter please contact the HRV Integrity Department using one of the following below:
HRV Stewards – Phone – 03 8378 0222
HRV Stewards Outside Business Hours – Phone – 03 9214 0650
Integrity Hotline – Phone – 03 9214 0651 or Email – integrity@hrv.org.au