The stewards of The Jockey Club have approved revisions to their governing
rules, the Principal Rules and Requirements of the American Stud Book, in order
to better regulate the increasing number of Thoroughbred foals reported as born
in the first several days of January and whether these foaling dates are being
accurately reported.
“With these rule revisions, we are reminding North American breeders that
January 1 of the year of foaling is the official date of birth for
Thoroughbreds,” Jockey Club Registrar Rick Bailey said. “Those who choose to
breed mares early may risk having foals born prior to January 1. To protect the
integrity of the American Stud Book, the enacted rules provide that The Jockey
Club may require horses to be made available for inspection.”
The rule changes appear in Section V of the Rules. Rule 1 (C) states:
For the purpose of determining the age of the Thoroughbred, the date of birth
of a Thoroughbred is deemed to be January 1 of the year of foaling.
The Jockey Club may require any party who seeks to register a foal or who
submits information related in any way to registration of a foal to provide such
further evidence and assurances as The Jockey Club may reasonably require, and
may also require any such party make the horse(s) involved available for
inspection.
The designation of January 1 as the date of birth for all foals was
previously set forth in the definition of “Yearling” in Section III of the
Rules.
The Jockey Club also added two new subsections to Rule 21 as follows:
(I) The Jockey Club may require any party who requests action (or inaction)
from The Jockey Club or who submits information to The Jockey Club in connection
with the processes and functions of The Jockey Club to provide such evidence and
further assurances as The Jockey Club may reasonably require, and may also
require any such party to make the horse(s) involved available for inspection.
(J) The term “Principal Rules and Requirements of the American Stud Book”
includes Sections I through VII.
The Jockey Club also reminds owners and breeders that any person or entity
engaging in deceptive practices may be denied any or all of the privileges of
the American Stud Book (in accordance with Section V, Rule 19).