HRI Directives

HRI DIRECTIVE 1

Race Programmes

Race programmes will be controlled in accordance with the procedures laid out in HRI Directive 1:

i. Racing Seasons

a. The 2017 Flat race Summer season shall commence on 26th March and conclude on 5th November. The 2016/2017 Flat race Winter season shall commence on 4th November and conclude on 24th March 2017.
b. The 2016/2017 National Hunt race season shall commence on 1st May 2016 and conclude on 29th April 2017.

ii. Flat Race Programmes

a. There shall be no race for yearlings.
b. There shall be no race less than five furlongs.
c. There shall be no race more than two and a half miles.
d. There shall be no race for two year olds at a distance of more than five furlongs before 1st April.
e. There shall be no race for two year olds at a distance of more than six furlongs before 1st May.
f. There shall be no handicaps for two year olds before 1st July.
g. There shall be no flat race with a minimum qualifying rating less than 45.
h. Any horse with an official flat rating below 45 will be treated as though rated 45 for qualification and weight purposes.
i . Delete April 2017.

iii. National Hunt Race Programmes

a. There shall be no steeplechase or I.N.H. Flat race for a horse under four years of age.
b. There shall be no hurdle race for a horse under four years of age until 1st August of the year in which it is three years old.
c. There shall be no steeplechase, hurdle race or I.N.H. flat race run over a distance of less than two miles.
d. There shall be no restriction, penalties or allowance with regard to training stables in the conditions of any race.

e. There shall be no hurdle race with a minimum qualifying rating less than 80.
f. In handicap hurdles where horses with an official rating below the minimum qualifying rating are eligible to enter, such horses shall be treated as though rated on the minimum qualifying rating.

iv. Mixed Meetings

a. A meeting will only be designated as a mixed meeting if it contains a minimum of two races from each code.
b. A fixture may, with agreement of the HRI Programmes Committee, contain one race under a different code to the rest of the meeting, provided that the race is restricted to either qualified riders or lady riders, but it will not be designated as a mixed meeting.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 2

Race Conditions for Flat Handicaps

The conditions that shall apply for Flat Handicaps are laid out in HRI Directive 2:

i.Top Weight

a. In Nursery handicaps the top weight at entry shall not be less than 9st 10lb or the top weight stipulated in the conditions of the race.
b. In handicaps for three years old only, unless otherwise stipulated in the conditions of the race, the top weight at entry shall not be less than 9st 12lb (prior to 1st July) or 10st (on or after 1st July).
c. In handicaps for three years old and upwards, the top weight at entry shall not be less than 10st or the top weight stipulated in the conditions of the race.

ii. Raising of the Weights

a. In races for two years old only, unless otherwise stipulated in the conditions of the race, the top weight after declarations shall not be less than 9st 10lb.
b. In all other races, if the highest weight remaining declared after the time for declarations to the HRI Racing Department is less than the maximum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race and the lowest weight is less than 8st 4lb or the minimum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race, then it shall be raised to the maximum stipulated weight and the weight given to the other horses remaining declared will be raised by an equal amount, except that if the weight adjustment is less at the bottom of the handicap than it is at the top then it shall be raised to 8st 4lb or the minimum stipulated weight and all the other horses remaining declared will be raised by an equal amount. In raising the weights, nothing will be done to alter the relativity of horses' weights as per the original handicap.
c. In the event of the top weight declared being less than 9st 12lb, it shall be raised to that weight and all of the other horses declared shall be raised by an equal amount. d. All horses still handicapped below 8st 4lb or the minimum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race shall be raised to that weight.

iii. Alternative Handicap

When there is provision in the conditions of a race for the weights to be raised in the event of the top weight being withdrawn on the day of a meeting and when there are horses remaining in the race weighted below the minimum weight to be carried in that race, following any raising of the weights, then the weights shall be re-calculated, omitting the top weight, to form an alternative handicap as follows:
The weight of the lowest weighted horse remaining in the race, prior to any raising of the weights, shall be raised to the minimum stipulated weight to be carried in that race and the weight of all other horses shall be raised by an equal amount provided such weight rise does not lead to the weight of the top weighted horse exceeding 9st 10lb or 9st 7lb in cases of handicaps confined to two year olds. When such circumstances arise then the race shall be re-calculated and the top weighted horse shall be raised to 9st 10lb, or 9st 7lb in cases of handicaps confined to two year olds, and the weight of all other horses shall be raised by an equal amount or to the minimum stipulated weight to be carried in the race.

iv. Addition of Penalties

Penalties incurred by winning after the calculation of the weights shall be added to the horse's weight as originally published before the raising of the weights in accordance with sub-sections (ii)(a) - (c) above.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 3

Race Conditions for National Hunt Handicaps

The conditions that shall apply for National Hunt handicaps are laid out in HRI Directive 3:

i. Top Weight

a. The top weight shall be 11st 12lb, unless otherwise stipulated in the conditions of the race.
b. In races with a rating band of 140 or more or with no rating band, the top weight shall be 11st 10lb, unless otherwise stipulated in the conditions of the race, although when no top weight is stipulated the handicapper may at his discretion and in the fairest allocation of the weights increase the top weight beyond 11st 10lb.

ii. Raising of the Weights

a. If the highest weight remaining declared after the time for declarations to the HRI Racing Department is less than 11st 12lb or, in the case of a race with no rating band or a rating band of 140 or more, is less than 11st 10lb or the maximum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race and the lowest weight is less than 9st 10lb or the minimum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race, then it shall be raised to 11st 12lb or, in the case of a race with no rating band or a rating band of 140 or more, to 11st 10lb or the maximum stipulated weight, and the weight given to the other horses remaining declared will be raised by an equal amount, except that if the weight adjustment is less at the bottom of the handicap than it is at the top then it shall be raised to 9st 10lb or the minimum stipulated weight and all the other horses remaining declared will be raised by an equal amount. In raising the weights, nothing will be done to alter the relativity of horses' weights as per the original handicap.
b. In the event of the top weight declared being less than 11st 7lb, it shall be raised to that weight and all of the other horses declared shall be raised by an equal amount. c. All horses still handicapped below 9st 10lb or the minimum stipulated weight as defined in the conditions of the race shall be raised to that weight.

iii. Alternative Handicap

When there is provision in the conditions of a race for the weights to be raised in the event of the top weight being withdrawn on the day of a meeting and when there are horses remaining in the race weighted below the minimum weight to be carried in that race, following any raising of the weights, then the weights shall be re-calculated, omitting the top weight, to form an alternative handicap as follows:

The weight of the lowest weighted horse remaining in the race, prior to any raising of the weights, shall be raised to the minimum stipulated weight to be carried in that race and the weight of all other horses shall be raised by an equal amount provided such weight rise does not lead to the weight of the top weighted horse exceeding 11st 7lbs. When such circumstances arise, then the race shall be re-calculated and the top weighted horse shall be raised to 11st 7lb and the weight of all other horses shall be raised by an equal amount or to the minimum stipulated weight to be carried in the race.

iv. Addition of Penalties

Penalties incurred by winning after the calculation of the weights shall be added to the weight of the horse as originally published before the raising of weights in accordance with the subsections above.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 4

Race Conditions for I.N.H. Flat Races

The conditions that shall apply for I.N.H. Flat Races are laid out in HRI Directive 4:

i. Race Conditions

a. No race shall be programmed over a distance less than two miles
b. No race shall be programmed for a horse under four years of age.
c. No race shall be programmed for a horse over seven years of age.

ii. Weight for Age

The scale of Weight For Age shall be the same as that for hurdle races as set out in Appendix C.

iii. Qualification

A horse shall not be qualified to start for an I.N.H. flat race if:
a. It has run in a Flat race or Steeplechase.
b. It has run in a Hurdle race as a three year old.
c. It has run in more than two Hurdle races.
d. It has won a Hurdle race.
e. It has run in six or more races of any kind under the Rules of any Turf Authority. (The restriction does not apply to the number of times a horse placed in the first four of an I.N.H. Flat race or a N.H Flat race run in Great Britain can run in I.N.H. Flat races).

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HRI DIRECTIVE 5

The payments in relation to Jockeys' fees

The payments in relation to Jockeys' fees are laid out in HRI Directive 5:

i. Jockeys' Fees for Flat races

a. In the absence of special agreement, the fee shall be €161.47 (subject to VAT where applicable) at the time of publication and no further charge except for expenses shall be allowed.
b. All Jockeys' fees shall be paid to the Stakeholder at the same time as the Stakes.
c. In the case of a dead-heat each jockey shall be paid a winning fee.
d. For each horse ridden by a professional jockey the owner shall pay to the Stakeholder 10c to be applied as a contribution to the Jockeys' Accident Fund and every Jockey shall contribute €7.56 for each mount. Any alteration to these contributions shall only be arrived at with the agreement of the Racing Regulatory Body.
e.For the benefit of the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust 2% from the Riding Fee is deducted and this is then paid to the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust.

f. For the benefit of the Irish Jockeys Association 2.0% from the Riding Fee is deducted and this is then paid to the Irish Jockeys Association.

ii. Jockeys' Fees for National Hunt Races

a. In the absence of special agreement, the fee shall be €184.59 (subject to VAT where applicable) at the time of publication and no further charge except for expenses shall be allowed.
b. All Jockeys' fees shall be paid to the Stakeholder at the same time as the Stakes.
c. In the case of a dead-heat each Jockey shall be paid a winning fee.
d. For each horse ridden by a professional Jockey the owner shall pay to the Stakeholder 10c to be applied as a contribution to the Jockeys' Accident Fund, and every Jockey shall contribute €9.07 for each mount. Any alteration to these contributions shall only be arrived at with the agreement of the Racing Regulatory Body.
e. For the benefit of the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust 2% from the Riding Fee is deducted and this is then paid to the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust.
f. For the benefit of the Irish Jockeys Association 2.0% from the Riding Fee is deducted and this is then paid to the Irish Jockeys Association.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 6

Weights, Penalties and Allowances

The weights, penalties and allowances to be carried as part of the race conditions are laid out in HRI Directive 6:

i. Weights for Flat Races

a. No horse shall carry less than 8st 4lb in a Flat race, except when a rider's allowance is claimed.
b. No horse shall carry less than 8st 7lb in a Weight For Age flat race, handicaps excluded, except when a rider's allowance is claimed.

ii. Weights for Steeplechases, Hurdle Races and I.N.H. Flat races

a. No horse shall carry less than 9st 10lb in a Steeplechase or Hurdle race handicap, except when a rider's allowance is claimed.
b. No horse shall carry less than 10st in a Steeplechase or Hurdle race, handicaps excluded, or in a I.N.H. Flat race, except when a rider's allowance is claimed.

iii. Penalties

a. In estimating the amount a horse has won in any one or more races, account shall only be taken of winning prize money, gained by it for its owner. Cups and trophies, or any monies gained from Matches, Private Sweepstakes, bonus schemes or any other source by it's owner, trainer, rider, stable or breeder, shall not be taken into account.
b. In the case of a dead-heat for first place, account shall be taken only of the amount of which the horse has gained, after the prize assessed in accordance with this Directive have been divided in accordance with Directive 7(vi).
c. No account shall be taken of any surplus which it may have gained under Directive 7(iv)(a) and no account shall be taken of any deduction under Directive 7(v).
d. In all cases the horse's own stake or entrance fee shall be deducted from the amount. Such stake or entrance fee shall be calculated as if the horse was entered at the first entry stage.
e. No cognisance shall be taken of Second Entry fees or Supplementary Entry Fees or of any other deductions made. Any conversion to Euro shall be calculated in accordance with the Exchange Rates published by Horse Racing Ireland in the Irish Racing Calendar applicable to the year in which the prize money was won.
f. Penalties for winning a fixed sum shall be understood to mean for winning it in one race, unless specified to the contrary.
g. Extra weight shall not be incurred in respect of matches or private sweepstakes and any horse so doing shall not be debarred on that account from claiming any allowance or from taking part in any race.
h. Penalties are not cumulative unless so declared by the conditions of the race.
i. Winnings shall include all prizes, including a walk over, but shall only refer to the winner of a race. Winnings in flat races shall apply to all flat races at a recognised meeting in any country except:
(i) Private Sweepstakes or Matches in any country
and (ii) I.N.H flat races and flat races run under the Steeplechasing Rules of any recognised Turf Authority
j. All penalties and allowances shall be calculated according to the amount of the value of each race as reported in the Irish Racing Calendar and pending such publication, the valuation to be determined in accordance with Directive 6 (iii)(a)-(e) and unless otherwise stated in the conditions of the races shall be calculated up to the time of starting.
k. In Flat races, the assessments for qualification, penalties and allowances for races published in the International Cataloguing Standards Book are as follows:
(i) For countries whose major races are published in Part I only or in both Part 1 and Part II
(a) Races will be regarded as Pattern races of the Group or Grade indicated.
(b) If no Group or Grade is indicated, races will be regarded as Listed races.
(ii) For countries whose major races are published in Part II only;
Races will be regarded as Listed races, whatever the indicated Group or Grade.
(iii) For countries whose major races are published in Part III or who do not have races published in the International Cataloguing Standards Book; Only races as indicated as being Group 1 or Grade 1 races will be regarded as Listed races.
l. For the purpose of determining race qualification or any penalty to be carried, a horse which in Great Britain has won a Grade 3 Handicap Steeplechase or Handicap Hurdle Race shall be regarded as having won a Grade C Handicap Steeplechase or Handicap Hurdle Race.
m. If in the conditions of a race a fixed penalty has to be carried for winning a race, horses running a dead-heat for such race shall carry the penalty fixed as if the race has been won outright.

iv. Allowances

a. Allowances are cumulative unless otherwise specified.
b. In all Flat races other than Handicaps, allowances as shown in Appendix A may be claimed for hoses foaled between July 1st and December 31st in the Southern Hemisphere. These allowances may only be claimed at the time of entry and to make such a claim the name of the horse in the entry must be followed by "Southern Hemisphere Allowance Xlb".
c. No horse shall receive allowance of weight or be relieved from extra weight for having been beaten in one or more races, provided that this Directive shall not prohibit maiden allowances or allowances to horses that have not won within a specified time, or races of a specified value or distance.

v. Scale of Weight for Age

a. The Scale of Weight For Age, which appears as Appendix B, is published as a guide when framing the conditions of Weight For Age Flat races.
b. The Scale of Weight For Age, which appears as Appendix C, is published as a guide when framing the conditions of Weight For Age Steeplechases and Hurdle Races. The Scale for I.N.H. Flat races is the same as that for Hurdle races.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 7

Prize Money

The payment and distribution of prize money are laid out in HRI Directive 7.

Any alteration to the constituent part of the deductions from prize money set out in section (v) Prize Money Deductions and Distributions below will be arrived at after consultation with the Racing Regulatory Body, and any alteration to the deductions for the charitable Funds administered or jointly administered by the Racing Regulatory Body (Jockeys Accident Fund, Jockeys Emergency Fund, Qualified Riders Accident Fund) will only be arrived at with the agreement of the Racing Regulatory Body.

i. Base Values

The prize money base values for each race type are laid out in Appendix D.

ii. Payment of Prize Money

a. In all races the Stakeholder shall be responsible for paying the advertised value in accordance with the conditions of the races run at each meeting subject to the provisions of section (viii) Division of Races below in respect of the division of races.
b. If a race be never run or be void, stakes, forfeits, entrance money and bookage fees will be returned.

iii. Walk-Overs

When a cup or any added money is advertised to be run for, it shall be given even in the event of a walk-over.

iv. Distribution of Prize Money (see Table at Appendix E)

a. Any money or prize which, by the conditions, is to go to the horse placed second or in any lower place shall revert to the Stakeholder if the winner has walked over or no horse has been placed second or in any lower place.
b. No prize shall be given to any but the first five horses placed except as specified in the conditions of the race.

1. In all races value less than €40,000 the owner of the second shall receive a sum of not less than 20%, the owner of the third not less than 10%, the owner of the fourth not less than 5% and the owner of the fifth not less than 2.5% of the value of the race
2. In all races value €40,000 or more the owner of the second shall receive a sum of not less than 20%, the owner of the third not less than 10%, the owner of the fourth not less than 5%, the owner of the fifth not less than 3% and the owner of the sixth not less than 2% of the value of the race.

v. Prize Money Deductions (see Table at Appendix F)

a. Owner and Associated Funds
1. The Gross Prize Money won by an Owner (A) represents the total Prize Money won in accordance with the requirements of Directive 7 (iv) prior to any deductions.
2. The Cost to Run (B), used to determine the Gross Gain to an Owner, shall in all cases be calculated as if the horse was entered at the first entry stage. No cognizance shall be taken of Second Entry Fees or Supplementary Entry Fees.
3. The Gross Gain to the Owner (C) shall be calculated as the Gross Prize Money less the Cost to Run.
4. For the benefit of the Stable Employees Bonus Scheme (D) 3.0% of the Gross Prize Money won will be deducted from the Owner of which:
a. 1.7% (of D) will be paid to the Turf Club (D1)
b. 3.5% (of D) will be paid to the Irish Stable Staff Association (ISSA) where the horse is trained in Ireland (D2)
5. For the benefit of the Irish Stable Staff Association (ISSA) (E) 0.1% of the Gross Prize Money won will be deducted from the Owner where the horse is trained in Ireland.
6. For the benefit of the Jockey Emergency Fund (JEF) (F) 1.0% of the Gross Prize Money won will be deducted from the Owner.
7. The Net Gain to the Owner (G) shall be calculated as the Gross Gain to the Owner (C) less the cumulative total of the deductions made for the benefit of the Stable Employees Bonus Scheme (D), the Irish Stable Staff Association (E) and the Jockey Emergency Fund (F). In order to calculate the Net Gain (G) these deductions will be applied to all winning Owners with one exception; if the horse is foreign trained the ISSA deduction of 0.1% (E) is not included in the calculation as this deduction will not apply.
8. For the benefit of the Trainer and Associated funds (H) 10% of the Net Gain to the Owner (G).
9. For the benefit of the Jockey and Associated funds (J) 10% of the Net Gain to the Owner (G).


b. Trainer and Associated Funds
For the benefit of the Trainer and Associated Funds (L) 10% of the Owners Net Gain (G) is debited from the Owner (H). This sum:
will then be distributed as follows:
1. 14.6% of the net amount (L) will be transferred to Funds to be administered by the Racing Regulatory Body and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. This will be distributed as follows:
a. 13.0% of the net amount (L) will be for the benefit of persons employed in racing stables (M)
b. 1.6% of the net amount (L) will assist in the funding of a Benevolent Fund, to include Death in Service Benefit, for members of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (M1)
2. 5.4% of the net amount (L) will be transferred to Funds to be administered by Horse Racing Ireland and the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association. This will be distributed as follows:
a. 5.0% of the net amount (L) will assist in the funding of the Racing Academy and Centre of Education (M2)
b. 0.2% of the net amount (L) will assist in the funding of the Blue Cross (M3)
c. 0.2% of the net amount (L) will assist in the funding of the Irish Horse Welfare Trust (M4)
3. 1.0% of the net amount (L) will be transferred for the benefit of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association Marketing Fund (N)
4. The remaining 79% of the net amount (L) will be distributed as follows contingent upon the type of Licence to Train held by the Trainer:
Where the Trainer of the horse holds a Licence to Train under the Rules of Racing and/or INHS Rules:
a. 3.0% of the net amount (L) will be transferred for the benefit of the Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (O)
b 76% of the net amount (L) remaining will be transferred to the Trainer of the horse (P)
OR
Where the Trainer of the horse holds a Restricted Licence, Hunter Chase Licence or Licence to Train under the Rules of any other recognised Turf Authority:
c 79% of the net amount (L) remaining will be transferred to the Trainer of the horse (P)

c. Jockey and Associated Funds
For the benefit of the Jockey and Associated Funds (Q) 10% of the Owners Net Gain (G) Is debited from the Owner (J). From this sum:

1. 2.0% (of Q) will be transferred to the Irish Jockeys Association for the provision of career ending insurance for professional jockeys. (R)

The net amount remaining (S) will then be distributed as follows:
2. 11% of the net amount (S) is transferred to the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust (T). 9% of the net amount (S) is transferred to the Irish Jockeys Trust (T1). These funds are for the benefit of licenced jockeys (other than those temporarily licensed) and are administered jointly by the Stewards of the Racing Regulatory Body and the Irish Jockeys' Association.
3. 80% of the net amount (S) will be transferred to the jockey who rode the horse (U). From the net amount transferred to the Jockey deductions will be made for the benefit of a Licensed Valet and/or Licensed Agent where applicable (as set out in sections (d) Licensed Valet and (e) Licensed Agent).

d. Licensed Valet
1. 1.5% of the net amount received by the Jockey (U) will be deducted from the Jockey (V) and will be transferred for the benefit of the licensed Valet of the rider winning the prize money (Y). This transfer will be made on the provision the rider has lodged the appropriated authorisation appointing a Jockeys' Valet with the Turf Club.

e. Licensed Agent
1. 10% of the net amount received by the Jockey (U), having deducted any transfers made to a licensed Valet (V), will be deducted from the Jockey (W1) and will be transferred for the benefit of the licensed Agent of the rider winning the prize money (Z). This transfer will be made on the provision the rider has lodged the appropriate authorisation appointing the Agent with the Turf Club.
2. Where the Agent is registered for VAT, a deduction will also be made from the Jockey at the applicable VAT rate (W2) and will be transferred to the Agent (AA).

f. In a race for Professional Jockeys where the rider of the winner or a placed horse is a Qualified Rider, deductions shall be made as in sections (a) Owner and Associated Funds and (b) Trainer and Associated Funds but, in place of those under section (c) Jockey and Associated Funds, those amounts shall be credited to the Jockeys' Accident Fund. 2.0% will be deducted for use by the Industry Services Fund from the sum to be credited to the Jockeys' Accident Fund.

g. The deduction in sections (c) Jockey and Associated Funds in favour of the Irish Jockeys Trust and the Irish Jockeys Pension Trust shall not however be made when a Qualified Rider wins or is placed in a race for Professional Jockeys on a horse the property of the rider, his wife, son, unmarried daughter, father, mother, brother or sister or grandparents or owned in partnership between such persons.

h. In races confined to Qualified Riders, Ladies' Races and I.N.H. Flat races, the percentage deduction for the Trainer and Associated Funds shall be made as in section (b) and no further deduction shall be made unless the rider of the winner or a placed horse in an I.N.H. Flat race is a professional jockey, in which case deductions shall be made as in sections (c) for the Jockey and Associated Funds, (d) for the Licensed Valet and (e) for the Licensed Agent.

vi. Dead-Heats

a. Each horse that divides a prize for first place shall be deemed a winner (for penalties see Directive 6).
b. When two horses run a dead-heat for first place all prizes to which the first and second horses would be entitled shall be divided equally between them, and this principle shall be observed in dividing the prizes whatever the number of dead-heaters and whatever the place for which the dead-heat is run.

vii. Division of Races

Where a race is divided which increases the number of races at a fixture to eight, the racecourse will be required to contribute 10% of the prize money as advertised in the conditions of the race towards each division.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 8

The Forfeit List

The Forfeit List shall be operated in accordance with the procedures laid out in HRI Directive 8:
i. The Forfeit List shall be kept at HRI and shall be published at least twice annually in the Irish Racing Calendar. It shall include all arrears which have been notified by the Stakeholder of any recognised meeting in Ireland, or as otherwise provided under the Rules of Racing or any amount otherwise due to HRI or unpaid Foal Levy due to HRI as advised by Weatherbys Ireland, and shall state the name or names of the persons or Companies from whom the horses in respect of which the same are due. "Arrears" or "amounts due" which have been so published must either be paid direct to HRI or notification that they have been duly paid must be received by HRI from some recognised Turf Authority or Weatherbys Ireland and, until so paid or until such notification has been received, such persons or Companies shall not be removed from the Forfeit List.
ii. Where a person or Company is prevented from entering or starting a horse for any race without paying arrears for which they would not otherwise be liable, they may, by settling the arrears, enter or start the horse and place the arrears in The Forfeit List as due to themselves.
iii. So long as the name of a person is in The Forfeit List or so long as the name of a person is in the Official Forfeit List published by the recognised Turf Authority of any country, he is a Disqualified Person. The registration of any Recognised Company whose name is in the Forfeit List shall be cancelled.
iv. Any owner having signed a training agreement between a trainer and themselves may be entered in the Forfeit List if they are found to have defaulted on this agreement.
v. For the avoidance of doubt, "any amount otherwise due" to HRI includes, but is not limited to, any foal levy due to HRI.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 9

Division of Races

The Division of Races shall be operated in accordance with the procedures laid out in HRI Directive 9:
i. HRI may at their discretion order that any race shall be divided at any time appointed by them prior to the time at which the names of the runners should be declared for such a race.
ii. After the names of the runners have been declared, HRI may at their discretion divide a race, with the agreement of the racecourse, under the following conditions:
(a) In races where the maximum number permitted to run is sixteen or less, the number of declared horses must be at least twice the number permitted to run in the race.
(b) In races where the maximum number permitted to run is seventeen or more, the number of declared horses must exceed the number permitted to run in the race by fifteen or more.
iii. When a race is divided, HRI shall divide the number of horses left in the race at the time appointed for its division into two or more divisions, each of which shall, as far as is possible, contain an equal number of horses.
iv. Where a race is divided which increases the number of races at a fixture to eight, the racecourse will be required to contribute 10% of the prize money as originally advertised in the conditions of the race towards each division.
v. Where a sum of money is contributed to the prize fund for any race by any person, persons or Company, other than the Managers of the Racecourse on which the race is to be run, HRI may order that, in the event of the race being divided, the sum contributed by such person, persons or Company shall be divided in accordance with the number of divisions into which the race shall be divided so that an equal part of it shall go to the prize fund for each division of the race.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 10

Elimination and Balloting out of Horses

Where the number of horses declared exceeds the number permitted to run in the race, HRI shall reduce the number of declared runners to the recommended limit by ballot or elimination in accordance with the criteria laid out in HRI Directive 10:

In all five day closing races only performances up to the closing of entries will be taken into account when determining protection from balloting/elimination. In early closing races performances up to the final forfeit stage will be taken into account when determining balloting/elimination. Balloting or elimination at the overnight declaration stage will take place among those horses which are liable for ballot/elimination. Horses with the lowest ballot/elimination numbers will be the first to get into a race.

i. In Weight For Age Flat Races (excluding Pattern and Listed Races)

Protection from balloting will operate in the following order:

1. Horses which have won a Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which do not have an official Flat rating in Ireland.
2. Horses which have won a Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have an official Flat rating in Ireland of 80 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
3. Horses which have an official Flat rating in Ireland of 80 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
4. Horses placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in either of their last two completed Flat races run in Ireland and which do not have an official Flat rating in Ireland.
5. Horses which have won a Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have an official Flat rating in Ireland of 60 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
6. Horses placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in either of their last two completed Flat races run in Ireland and which have an official Flat rating in Ireland of 60 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
7. Horses which have not completed in a Flat race run in Ireland.
8. Horses which have completed three or more times in Flat races run in Ireland and do not have an official Flat rating in Ireland.
9. Horses which have completed less than three times in Flat races run in Ireland.
10. Horses which have the highest official Flat rating in Ireland below 80 at time of entry, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.

Note: When protection is equal, horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Flat race in Ireland, on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year will be protected from balloting/elimination first, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses with equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of section (i) above, 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.

ii. In Weight For Age National Hunt Races (excluding Pattern and Listed Races)

a. Steeplechases

Protection from balloting will operate in the following order:

1. Horses which have won a Grade 1, 2 or 3 Weight For Age National Hunt race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority.
2. Horses which have won a Steeplechase run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which do not have an official Steeplechase rating in Ireland.
3. Horses which have won a Steeplechase run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have an official Steeplechase rating in Ireland, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
4. Horses which have an official Steeplechase rating in Ireland of 115 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
5. Horses which have won a Hurdle race, an I.N.H. Flat race or a National Hunt Flat race run under Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which were placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in either of their last two completed Steeplechases run in Ireland.
6. Horses which have won a Hurdle race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have completed in less than three Steeplechases run in Ireland.
7. Horses which have won an I.N.H. Flat race or a National Hunt Flat race under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have completed in less than three Steeplechases run in Ireland.
8. Horses placed 2nd 3rd, 4th, or 5th in either of their last two completed Steeplechases run in Ireland.
9. Horses which have completed in three or more Steeplechases run in Ireland and to which the handicapper is not prepared to allocate an official Steeplechase rating in Ireland.
10. Horses which have completed less than three times in steeplechases run in Ireland.
11. Horses which have the highest official Steeplechase rating in Ireland below 115 at time of entry, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.

Note: When protection is equal, horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Steeplechase run under I.N.H.S. Rules, on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year will be protected from balloting first, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of section (a) above, 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.

b. Hurdles

Protection from balloting will operate in the following order (only performances up to the time of entry will be taken into account):

1. Horses which have won a Grade 1, 2 or 3 Weight For Age National Hunt race or a Group 1, 2 or 3 Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority.
2. Horses which have won a Hurdle race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which do not have an official Hurdle rating in Ireland.
3. Horses which have won a Hurdle race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have an official Hurdle rating in Ireland, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
4. Horses which have won a Flat race, an I.N.H. Flat race or a National Hunt Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which were placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in either of their last two completed hurdle races run in Ireland.
5. Horses which have won an I.N.H. Flat race or a National Hunt Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have completed in less than three hurdle races run in Ireland.
6. Horses which have an official Hurdle rating in Ireland of 105 or more, the highest rating affording the greatest protection.
7. Horses placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th in either of their last two completed Hurdle races run in Ireland.
8. Horses which have won a Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year and which have completed in less than three hurdle races run in Ireland.
9. Horses which have won a Flat race run under the Rules of any Recognised Turf Authority and which have completed in less than three Hurdle races run in Ireland.
10. Horses which have completed in three or more Hurdle races run in Ireland and to which the handicapper is not prepared to allocate an official Hurdle rating in Ireland.
11. Horses which have completed less than three times in Hurdle races run in Ireland.
12. Horses which have the highest official Hurdle rating in Ireland below 105 at time of entry, the highest racing affording the greatest protection.

Note: When protection is equal, horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Hurdle Race run under I.N.H.S. Rules, on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year will be protected from balloting first, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of section (b) above 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.

c. I.N.H. Flat Races

Protection from balloting/elimination will operate in the following order:

1. Horses which have won an I.N.H. Flat race or a National Hunt Flat race run under the Rules of any recognised Turf Authority.
2. Horses placed 2nd, 3rd, 4th or 5th in either of their last two completed runs in Irish National Hunt Flat races.
3. Horses which have completed less than three times in I.N.H. Flat races run in Ireland.

Note: When protection is equal, horses previously balloted/eliminated from an I.N.H. Flat Race in Ireland, on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year will be protected from balloting first, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of section (c) above, 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.

iii. In Flat Handicaps

a. With a designated rating band of 65 or less

By elimination first of those horses with an official flat rating below 35, the highest rating affording the greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.

Protection from balloting/elimination will then operate in the following order:

1. Horses placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd on their last completed run in a Flat race run in Ireland, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year.
2. Horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Flat Handicap run in Ireland, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year, with a designated rating band of 65 or less and within the same distance category (indicated below) of the race to be balloted. The latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording the greatest protection. The relevant distance categories are as follows:
- Sprint (5 furlongs to less than 7 furlongs)
- Mile (7 furlongs to less than 10 furlongs)
- Intermediate (10 furlongs to less than 13 furlongs)
- Long (13 furlongs or more)

Note: If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of section (a) above 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.
Notwithstanding the above and in the interest of permitting as many horses as possible a reasonable opportunity to run in flat handicaps with a maximum rating band of 65 or less, horses will lose their provisional ballot status which:
(a) are declared to run but not a reserve in any flat race scheduled to be run in Ireland on the same day as that fixed for the closing of declarations
(b) since the time of entry for such a race, have run in a flat race in Ireland without being placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd
(c) since the time of entry for such race, have run more than once in a flat race in Ireland
In any of these circumstances, such horses will be moved to the bottom of the ballot list and will be the first to be balloted out in the order of their handicap rating, starting with the lowest rating. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of an equal handicap rating the ballot will be random.

b. In early closing Flat Handicaps

By ballot among or elimination of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap after any penalties have been applied at the final forfeit stage. If this fails to reduce the number to the recommended limit a further ballot or elimination will take place among the remaining horses, with the elimination of the lowest rated horses after any penalties have been applied to the horses ratings in the race at the final forfeit stage. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.

c. In all other Flat Handicaps

1. By elimination first of those horses with an official flat rating below 35, the highest rating affording the greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.

  2. By ballot among or elimination of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap but before any penalties have been applied. If this fails to reduce the number to the recommended limit a further ballot or elimination will take place among the remaining horses, with the elimination of the lowest rated horses but before any penalties have been applied. Note: If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.

iv. In National Hunt Handicaps

a. In Handicap Steeplechases with designated rating bands of 102 or less

In the case of Steeplechases, by elimination first of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap at time of entry but before any penalties have been applied. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.
Protection from balloting/elimination will then operate in the following order (only performances up to the time of entry will be taken into account):-
1. Horses placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd on their last run in a Steeplechase run in Ireland, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year.
2. Horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Steeplechase run in Ireland, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection.

b. In Handicap Hurdles with designated rating bands of 95 or less

By elimination first of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap at time of entry but before any penalties have been applied. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.
Protection from balloting/elimination will then operate in the following order (only performances up to the time of entry will be taken into account):-
1. Horses placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd on their last run in a Hurdle race run in Ireland, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year.
2. Horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Handicap Hurdle race run in Ireland with a designated rating band of 95 or less, on or subsequent to 1st January of the year previous to the current year, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection.
Notwithstanding the above and in the interest of permitting as many horses as possible a reasonable opportunity to run in hurdle handicaps with a maximum rating band of 95 or less, horses will lose their provisional ballot status which:
(a) are declared to run but not a reserve in any hurdle race scheduled to be run in Ireland on the same day as that fixed for the closing of declarations
(b) since the time of entry for such race, have run in a hurdle race in Ireland without being placed 1st, 2nd or 3rd.
(c) since the time of entry for such race, have run more than once in a hurdle race in Ireland
In any of these circumstances, such horses will be moved to the bottom of the ballot list and will be the first to be balloted out in the order of their handicap rating, starting with the lowest rating. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of an equal handicap rating the ballot will be random.

c. In all early closing National Hunt Handicaps

By ballot among or elimination of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap after any penalties have been applied at the final forfeit stage. If this fails to reduce the number to the recommended limit a further ballot or elimination will take place among the remaining horses, with the elimination of the lowest rated horses after any penalties have been applied to the horses ratings in the race at the final forfeit stage. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random

d. In all other National Hunt Handicaps

By ballot among or elimination of the lowest weighted horses which are out of the handicap but before any penalties have been applied. If this fails to reduce the number to the recommended limit a further ballot or elimination will take place among the remaining horses, with the elimination of the lowest rated horses but before any penalties have been applied. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random.

v. In all Pattern and Listed Races

a. Flat Races

By elimination of or ballot of those horses that have the lowest handicap ratings or if they do not qualify for an official rating have the lowest assessment made by the Handicapper so as to reduce the number of declared runners to the recommended limit. International ratings will be taken into account under this subsection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. Horses which have not run will be eliminated first by random ballot.

b. Steeplechases

By elimination of or ballot of those horses that have the lowest steeplechase handicap ratings or if they do not qualify for an official rating have the lowest assessment made by the Handicapper so as to reduce the number of declared runners to the recommended limit. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. Horses which have not run will be eliminated first by random ballot.

c. Hurdles

By elimination of or ballot of those horses that have the lowest hurdle handicap ratings or if they do not qualify for an official rating have the lowest assessment made by the Handicapper so as to reduce the number of declared runners to the recommended limit. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. Horses which have not run will be eliminated first by random ballot.

vi. In all Certified Hunter Steeplechases

Protection from balloting/elimination will operate in the following order:-
1. Horses which have won a Certified Hunters Steeplechase.
2. Horses which were placed second, third or fourth in either of their last two completed Steeplechases in Ireland confined to Certified Hunters.
3. Horses which have won a Point to Point Steeplechase in Ireland on and from the commencement day of the two previous Point to Point seasons, the most number of wins in this period affording the greatest protection.

Note: When protection is equal, horses previously balloted/eliminated from a Steeplechase run under I.N.H.S. Rules, on or subsequent to January 1st of the year previous to the current year will be protected from balloting first, the latest ballot/elimination date at the time of the preliminary ballot stage affording greatest protection. If it is necessary to ballot among horses of equal protection, such ballot will be random. For the purposes of Section (vi) above 'pulled up' will be considered a completed run.

vii. Refund of Fees

Owners with horses balloted out or eliminated will not be charged any entrance, forfeit, declaration or bookage fees.

viii. Reserves

Where a race is the subject of a ballot or elimination, not more than three extra horses will be included as Reserves. The names of the Reserves will be published on the race card in order of priority. Owners with horses designated as Reserves will only be charged entrance, forfeit if applicable, declaration and bookage fees if they exercise their option to run. Reserves which run are no longer deemed balloted or eliminated on that day.

Note:

Trainers are advised that every effort is made to ensure the above balloting procedures are strictly adhered to in all races. However, should a horse, for whatever reason, be inadvertently or incorrectly published on the liable for ballot listing, it is the trainer’s responsibility to notify HRI of any error in the balloting procedures before the deadline for declarations has passed as any amendments after this deadline will not be possible

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HRI DIRECTIVE 11

Bookage Fees

For every entry, including entries for races to be run outside of Ireland, the following bookage fees and levy shall be paid to HRI in accordance with HRI Directive 11:
i. Irish Flat Group 1, 2 or 3 Flat races €42.50
ii. Irish Flat Listed races €42.50
iii. Irish National Hunt Grade 1, 2 or 3 races €42.50
iv. All other Irish races €12.50
v. All foreign races €42.50
vi. In addition for every race in which there is a forfeit, a supplementary bookage fee of €42.50 shall be paid at each stage €2.50 of each entry bookage fee is a levy which will be paid to the Irish Equine Centre.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 12

Registration Fee

The Registration fees charged by HRI are laid out in HRI Directive 12:
i. For the annual registration or re-registration of Authority to Act generally on behalf of the owner €40.
ii. For every registration of lease, contingency, or joint arrangement €40. For the re-registration of syndicates and on every charge there of €20.
iii. For the annual registration of partnership €40. For the re-registration of partnerships and on every change there of €20.
iv. For every annual registration of colours €40.
v. For registration of colours for five years €160. For registration of colours for ten years €280.
vi. For every registration of colours for life €800.
vii. For registration of a horse's name including update/issue of passport:
1. Under two year old €125.
2. Two year old and upwards €125.
3. In Ireland if already registered in Britain €40.
viii. For change or cancellation of a horse's name €400.
ix. For the replacement of a lost passport €200.
x. For registration of Sale with Engagements €40.
xi. For registration of Registered Owner €0.
xii. For registration of a Recognised Club €0.
xiii. For registration of a Recognised Company €0.
xiv. For each horse returned in training €0

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HRI DIRECTIVE 13

Terms of Business - Horse Racing Clients

The Terms of Business for Horse Racing Ireland clients are laid out in HRI Directive 13. These Terms of Business do not affect or exclude any Terms and Conditions implied by law. HRI reserves the right to vary these Terms of Business.

i. Account Security

a. HRI is required to satisfy itself about the identity of any person who seeks to open an account. To this extent, HRI requests a copy of official proof of photographic identification. HRI reserves the right to decline an application. All owners acknowledge that all registrations with HRI are solely for racing purposes and such registrations do not confer any other legal or beneficial entitlements. Payment of €500 is required to open an account and €350 to re-activate an account.
b. HRI will not accept an ownership application from a person less than 18 years of age.
c. Any change in client details must be notified to HRI in writing.
d. HRI will require certain security information before confidential client information is given out over the telephone such as account number, date of birth, address details, racing colours etc.
e. It is HRI's policy to record telephone calls for the purpose of security, accuracy and training.
f. Where an owner wishes to grant a third party access to information on his/her account, they must complete the relevant section on the Owner Registration form or inform HRI in writing at any stage in the future.
g. HRI will accept an instruction to close a client's account by telephone, fax or letter. Any credit balances will be forwarded to the client's bank account. Where the client is overdrawn and wishes to close his/her account, then any outstanding balances must be cleared first. Clients are recommended to keep a working balance in their account to meet upcoming entries and avoid refusal of entries. An average race can cost approximately €350 (inclusive of riding fee).
h. All documents lodged for registration are for the purposes of racing horses under the HRI Directives, Rules of Racing and the INHS Rules.
i. An Authority To Act must be completed and signed by the owner (or registered agent) appointing a specific trainer before a horse may be returned in training in the owner's name for racing purposes. This written authorisation is one of the most important aspects of the registration process. It allows the authorised trainer, or any person deputised by him/her, to carry out significant administration procedures on the owner's behalf which include but are not limited to, making horse returns (return a horse in training in an owner's name or out of training), sale with engagements, making entries, forfeits, declarations and jockey bookings. This registration is automatically renewed for subsequent years unless specifically cancelled in writing by the owner.
j. HRI's main hours of business are between 9am to 5pm not including Saturday, Sunday, Bank Holidays or any day that the HRI offices are closed for any reason. The Entries and Declarations department hours of business are between 8am and 5pm and in some instances are open for limited hours on Saturday, Sunday and Bank Holidays. The Client Accounts Department is open from 8.30am to 5pm each day Monday to Friday.

ii. Client Payments

a. HRI will accept payments by cheque, bank transfer, online credit / debit card facility or cash (cash up to a limit of €1,000).
b. HRI will credit any prize monies won to the client's account on the second day after the race meeting. Subject to any deductions permitted under these HRI Directives, the monies will be available for withdrawal on the 17th day after the race meeting in accordance with Rule 35 of the Rules of Racing.
c. HRI will accept instructions to pay funds out of a client's account by telephone, fax or letter, email or via the client online system. Payments will be made directly to the client's bank account by electronic funds transfer (EFT) normally within two working days. The bank details section on the owner registration form must be completed at account set-up. In the event of a cheque being issued it will only be in the name of the client and will be marked account payee only. Cheques are issued monthly.
d. HRI has a client account online system from which clients, once registered, can access their account online, check entries and make requests. Each registered owner upon registration will receive a unique 10 digit code to facilitate their setup.
e. HRI offers the facility to make "industry related" third party payments. HRI will make the payment upon receipt of an invoice or statement detailing the amount in question. Where HRI makes payments to parties on behalf of clients, it accepts no responsibility for any loss incurred. Where payments are made on the basis of faxed instruction, any loss arising from fraud shall be to the Client's account. HRI are not responsible for the application of any taxes or other deductions.

iii. Fees and Charges

a. HRI fees are laid out in Directives 11 and 12.
b. Annual registration charges such as Authority to Acts, annual racing colours, syndicate and partnerships will be automatically renewed for subsequent years unless specifically cancelled in writing or cancelled through the online system. Unpaid accounts due for these charges for a period of more than 6 months may have their registrations cancelled and account closed without prior notice and may appear on the forfeit list.
c. HRI fees are subject to change from time to time.
d. In the event that there are any amounts due to HRI, including, for the avoidance of doubt, any outstanding foal levy due to HRI, that amount may be deducted from client funds, whether such client funds represent funds credited to the account by client deposits or prize monies where such amounts due to HRI remain outstanding one month after a warning letter in respect of same has been issued by HRI.

iv. Disputes

In the event of a dispute between owners, partners or syndicate members and/or owners and trainers which they are unable to resolve, legal advice should be taken as HRI cannot mediate on such matters.

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HRI DIRECTIVE 14

Credit Control

HRI's Credit Control policy operates in accordance with the procedures laid out in HRI Directive 14:
i. The client's HRI account must be kept in credit at all times. Where the account goes overdrawn it must be brought back into credit immediately. HRI reserves the right to suspend the account (no race entries will be accepted) and if necessary suspend the client's ownership. Only AFTER the account is brought back into credit will entries be accepted.
ii. HRI will, if necessary, exercise its legal rights to receive any payments due to it from clients.
iii. HRI will take the following steps should a client account go overdrawn:
Each client receives a statement at the beginning of each month for the previous month's transactions.
If the clients account is overdrawn a letter may accompany the statement informing the client that a stop will be placed on the account if it is not brought back into credit within 14 days.
If the account remains overdrawn a 1st reminder letter will be sent informing the client that his/her name will appear in the forfeit list and they will be deemed a Disqualified Person.
If the account remains overdrawn a 2nd & final reminder letter will be sent informing the client that he/she will be named in the published forfeit list and the debt sent to solicitors of HRI for collection.
HRI may charge an administration fee of €10 per letter sent

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