How to become a Trainer

To become a Racehorse Trainer, applicants must be 21 years of age or older and should have a minimum of 2 years’ experience working in a Racehorse Trainers Yard. Alternatively, if you held a rider’s licence with an acceptable number of rides for the same period or were registered as a Point-to-Point Handler with an acceptable number of runners, you may also be eligible to apply. Any applicant who does not meet this criteria should provide demonstrable   experience and discuss their application with the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) Head of Licensing.

Applicants are required to successfully complete an assessment to establish prior knowledge of the industry in order for the applicant to qualify to complete the Trainer’s Course. The assessment consists of a practical, oral, and written elements.

The pre-trainer’s course will be held over a 3-week period and will be delivered via a blended approach with sessions delivered online and in-house. Following successful completion of the pre-trainer’s course, a stable inspection will be carried out on the proposed training establishment. The stable inspection report and application along with all relevant documentation will be forwarded to the Licensing Committee, at which stage applicants will be informed of a date and time to attend for interview.

The Licensing Committee will ultimately decide on whether a licence is granted. The successful completion of the assessments and pre-trainers’ course does NOT guarantee the issuing of a licence.

Should you wish to apply for a Trainers Licence you can log on to the Integrity Portal via www.ihrb.ie and a member of the Licensing Department will be in contact. If you have any questions regarding the licensing application or process, you can contact the Licensing Department of the IHRB by email: licensing@ihrb.ie or telephone 045-445605.

For further information, please download the information document application form from our website.

Please note the pre-trainer’s course is held twice a year, one in Spring and one in Autumn. Places are limited and allocated on a first-come basis.

Pre-Trainers Course

The next pre-trainers licence process is scheduled to take place on the following date: -

The Assessment Day: Thursday 22nd August 2024

• Arrival @ 12pm (Auditorium)
• Registration / Briefing @ 12.15pm
• Written Exam @ 12.30pm
• Practical & Oral assesments @ 2pm (Barn)

Applications for this course will be accepted on a first come first served basis and must be lodged with the Licensing Department before Monday, 12^th August 2024. Spaces will be limited.

The course is scheduled to take place on the following dates (highlighted dates are delivered online):-

• Monday 9^th, Tuesday 10^th and Wednesday 11^th of September 2024 (inclusive) – (3 days)
• Monday 16^th, Tuesday 17^th and Wednesday 18^th of September 2024 (inclusive) – (3 days)
• Monday 23^rd, Tuesday 24^th, Wednesday 25^th of September 2024 (inclusive) – (3 days)

Please note the above dates may be subject to amendment

Participation is mandatory for all sessions of the pre-trainer’s course. Attendance does NOT guarantee a licence.

Application information and assessment syllabus is available for download from our website  www.ihrb.ie Completed application and fee must be returned as soon as possible to confirm a place.

Trainer's Obligations (Main Rules, Regulations and Obligations)

Trainers and all Licensees are reminded that they have an obligation to familiarise themselves with the Rules of Racing and all relevant policies and procedures and to update themselves on a regular basis. Ignorance of the rules is not a defence to non-compliance.

To assist Trainers, we have created the below document for reference and included specific rules however please be aware that this is not an exhaustive list of rules and Trainers must ensure that they are fully aware of all their obligations and responsibilities. All amendments to the Rules of Racing are published in the Irish Racing Calendar and on the website of the IHRB.

Please click here or on any Rule number to access the Rule Book

Licensing and General Rules

(a) Licences to Train
Regulation 1, Rule 145.
Includes information on:

• Licensing procedure for Trainers (Regulation 1)
• Licences for members of the Turf Club.
• Hunter Chase Licences

(b) General Rules
Rule 17, 18, 19, 79, 83, 86, 87, 120, 147, 148, 149, 150, 153, 155, 156, 173, 193, 214, 230, 261, 262
Includes information on:

• Qualification to run in a I.N.H. Flat race
• Running a pregnant mare
• Registration of names of horses
• Powers of The Raceday Stewards, The Referrals Committee, The Licencing Committee and the Appeals Body
• Disqualification of horses. Examples include:
  • Being vaccinated / re-vaccinated on a date less than 7 days previous to the date of the intended run
  • Tubed on a date less than 7 days previous to the date of the intended run
  • Having received an intra-articular injection of glucocorticoids on a date less than 14 days previous to the date of the intended run
  • Being trained by an unlicensed person
  • The rider not being qualified to ride according to the conditions of the race
• Includes information on:
  • Foreign trained horses running in Ireland
  • Authorised Representatives and Jockeys acting as an Authorised Representative
  • Training from a second establishment
  • A Trainers’ responsibility regarding:
    • the welfare of their horses
    • Allowing inspectors into their training establishment
    • Maintaining an up-to-date Medicines Register
    • Adequate supervision of employees and horses under their care
    • Running a horse with a recent skin condition
    • Work Riders who have suffered a concussion.
    • Work Riders equipment
    • Notifying Horseracing Ireland following an overseas runner
    • Declaring a penalty for horses that hold an entry following a win
    • Applying to Horse Racing Ireland for permission to train a horse
    • Stables Employees
    • Apprentice Jockeys
    • Colours
    • Procedure around Weigh Room

Identification and Vaccination Checks
Rule 90 - 95
Includes information on:

• The requirement for passports to accompany horses when entering racecourse property
• The requirement for passports to be lodged with IHRB security at least 1 hour before the time fixed for the running of the race in which you are entered
• The requirement for the horse to be vaccinated correctly
• Sanctions for a breach of this rule
• Passport identity requirements
• Minimum requirements for vaccinations against Equine Influenza
• Amending vaccinations on a passport
• Racing Clearance Notifications

Prohibited Substances
Rule 96
Includes information on:

• What happens when a horse tests positive for a Prohibited Substance
• Sanctions when a horse tests positive for a Prohibited Substance

Declarations and Non-Runners
Rule 194.
(a) Declarations
Includes information on:

• Declaring horse to run
• Declaration of Headgear / Tongue Strap
• Rectifying an error in declaration of Headgear

(b) Non-runners
Includes information on:

• Deadline for the declaration of a non-runner and how to notify the IHRB
• Declaration of Reserves as a runner or non-runner
• Fines for late withdrawals
• Suspension periods for non-runners. Examples below:
  • Blood disorder, Respiratory Infection – 13 days (no vet cert required)
  • Coughing, Nasal Discharge, Allergy – 6 Days (no vet cert required)
  • In Season – 3 days (vet cert required)
  • Illness, Stress or Injury – 3 days (vet cert required)
  • Off feed – 3 days & mandatory €200 fine (no vet cert required)
  • Ground conditions, if excuse is not accepted by Stewards – 2 days & mandatory €200 fine
  • Declared in Error – 2 days & mandatory €200 fine for first offence. Not less that €320 for subsequent offences within the calendar year.
  • Suspensions commence the day following the race meeting.
• Deadline for submitting a veterinary certificate
• Fines for not submitting a veterinary certificate
• Suspension and fine for non-appearance or no excuse

Overnight Nomination of Riders
Rule 195, Regulation 3
Includes information on:

• Deadline for nominating riders / Failure to nominate a rider
• Substitution or replacement of rider
• Nomination of riders on foreign trained horses
• Nomination of riders on Reserves
• Declaration of riders overweight

Weighing out
Rule 196, 197, 198, 199 Regulation 10, 16
Includes information on:

• Substitution of a declared rider
• Minimum standard of riders’ equipment
• Overweight
• Responsibility to ensure correct number-cloth is used
• Parade Ring procedures including mounting, use of sheets, rugs, shoes and headgear

Appeals and Objections
Rule 256, 257, 258, 259, 260, 262-269 inclusive
Includes information on:

• How to make an appeal against the decision of the Acting Stewards, the Referrals Committee or the Licensing Committee
• The timeframe for making an appeal
• The cost of an appeal
• When to make an objection
• How to make an objection
• Timeframes for different categories of objections
• The cost of an objection

Starting
Rule 205, 206, 207, 208, 209
Includes information on:

• Requirements to be at the start at the appointed hour
• Starting procedures (Rule 208 & 209 for races started by flag, tape or stalls)
• Allocation of draw positions

Running and Riding
Rule 212, 213
Includes information on:

• Obligation on Trainer to ensure that their horse runs on its merits
• Obligation on Trainer to ensure a horse is not in a condition which may preclude it from winning or obtaining its best possible placing
• Powers of the Stewards to restrict a horse from running for up to 90 days as a result of the actions of a rider or a trainer
• Powers of the Stewards and Senior Racing Officials to consider evidence in relation to the running and riding of a horse
• Improvement in Form
• Requirement to report anything that may have affected a horse’s performance

Rules relating to the Good Reputation of Horseracing
Rule 271, 272, 273, 274, 275, 276.
Includes information on:

• Conduct of Trainers
• Bribes and laying horses to lose
• Corrupt and fraudulent practices
• Participation at unrecognised race meeting
• Acting in manner which is likely to damage the reputation of Horseracing in Ireland
• Disqualified persons

Stable Employees Bonus Scheme
Rule 298
Includes information on:

• Method of payment
• When payments are made
• Requirement on Trainers to return documentation detailing the amount payable to each employee
• Requirement on Trainer to display the Trainer / Employee agreement in a staff working area

Special Conditions applicable to Handicaps and other Races
Rule 66, 67, 68
Includes information on:

• How a horse is handicapped
• Handicappers discretion in relation to horses with a flat rating from another Turf Authority
• Handicappers discretion not to handicap a horse despite having run three times
• Alternative handicaps

Nomination of Rider

A rider must be nominated for each declared horse in every race by 12 noon on the day fixed for declaration of horses in the programme of the meeting.

It is the responsibility of the Trainer to ensure a Rider is nominated to Horse Racing Ireland by that time.

If the rider expects to carry overweight of up to 2lbs, that probable amount shall be declared to Horse Racing Ireland by this time also.

The responsibility for such declaration rests with both the trainer and the rider.

It is the trainer’s responsibility to establish a rider’s availability to ride in the race before the rider is declared.

If there is no rider nominated on a horse by 12 noon on the day fixed for declaration, then a rider must be nominated in writing to the Clerk of the Scales or to the Non-Runner Line not less than one and a half hours before the time fixed for the running of the first race on the day of the race, otherwise the horse will be withdrawn. The trainer will be required to give an explanation to the Acting Stewards, and a fine may be imposed.

Non Runners and Declaration of Reserves

In the event of a horse being unable to fulfil its engagement on any Raceday (except any horse listed as a reserve) notification must be made by telephone on the Non-Runner Line (045-445645) to the Office of the IHRB not less than one and a half hours before the time fixed for the running of the first race. If the time fixed for withdrawal has passed, and a horse is subsequently withdrawn by the trainer or their authorised representative the Clerk of the Scales must be notified in writing.

In the case of a horse listed as a Reserve and where a trainer exercises the option to run, a declaration to run must be made by telephone on the Non-Runner Line to the Office of the IHRB not later than 10am for meetings (other than floodlit meetings) during the months of November, December and January, and not later than 11am for all other meetings including floodlit meetings.

When a Reserve has been declared and a rider was not nominated at the time of closing for the overnight nomination of riders then it will be necessary for the trainer to nominate a rider by telephone on the Non-Runner Line to the Office of the IHRB by the time fixed for declaration of reserves listed above.

Failure to nominate a rider shall render the declaration of the reserve invalid.

In the case of a horse listed as a Reserve and where a trainer has not declared the horse to run by the time fixed for declaration of reserves in, the horse shall automatically be withdrawn.

 

Performance Warnings

A horse may be suspended from running for up to 90 days if it performs or behaves below a level which is deemed unacceptable by the Acting Stewards. (See Rule 212C (d).

Click here for Performance Warnings

Post Race Reports

Click here for Post Race Reports

These reports must be made as soon as possible after a race by either the Trainer, Trainers Authorised Representative, the Rider or the Owner. Examples of such reports would be :- "Hanging in running", "Made a noise in running", "Lame", "In Season", "didn't handle the ground", " exercise induced pulmonary haemorrhage".

(Such reports must be made prior to any Stewards Enquiry, otherwise a sanction may be imposed by the Acting Stewards.)

After a horse leaves a Racecourse, the Trainer or the Owner must report anything that might have a bearing on that horse's past or future races. Such reports must be made to a Stewards Secretary, I.H.R.B Veterinary Officer or to the Office of the I.H.R.B. (Failure to make these reports may result in a sanction by the Referrals Committee.)

Non-Runner Fines

Click here for Non-Runner Fines

Under Rule 194(iii) if a horse fails to fulfil its engagement, suspensions may be imposed on the horse withdrawn depending on the reason for the withdrawal and whether or not the reason given is accepted by the Stewards. The minimum suspension periods which apply are set out in Rules 194 (v) & (vii).

If the reason for the withdrawal of a horse is not accepted by the Stewards additional fines may also be imposed.

If a horse is withdrawn less than one and a half hours prior to the time fixed for the first race a fine of at least €200 for the first offence in a calendar year shall be imposed, unless the Stewards are satisfied that the reason for not running is a valid one. Fines may increase for subsequent ‘late withdrawals’ within a calendar year.

Any withdrawal under Rule 194(v) (c) (In Season) or (d) (Illness, Stress, Injury) requires the lodgement of a veterinary certificate within 3 days. Failure to lodge the veterinary certificate shall result in a fine of €200 in the first instance being imposed as per Rules 194(v) & (vi).

It is the responsibility of the Trainer to that ensure that horses are withdrawn by the deadlines and to confirm if the reason submitted was accepted by the Acting Stewards.

Veterinary Certificates

From time to time a horse may not be able to race owing to a disease or condition which could be aggravated by the race, or may affect the horse’s performance in the race. At other times, the horse may have a condition which would not necessarily preclude the horse from running but will likely mean that the horse in question will be subject to a pre-race examination by the Veterinary Officer on duty.

In either of these circumstances, it is very helpful if the trainer of the horse, and their veterinary surgeon, communicate with the IHRB team ahead of the raceday if they are aware of the condition at that time. If that communication can include clinical information as to what steps have been taken with regards to diagnosis and/or treatment of the condition, then the IHRB veterinary team are better able to work with the trainer to make an informed judgement about the best course of action. Such communications should be made in the first instance to equine@ihrb.ie or if the matter is urgent to the Chief Veterinary Officer on 087 1925 366 lynn.hillyer@ihrb.ie.

We are keen to avoid the situation where a horse is presented on the day to race with a condition about which there is differing veterinary/trainer opinion because in those circumstances, the Veterinary Officer must take a precautionary approach based on their best professional judgement. They will make a decision on the day with whatever information is available to them – the more information there is, the better informed that decision can be. We would like to move away from the position where veterinary colleagues provide certificates that in their view the horse is ‘fit to race’ and towards the provision of information about the horse which can be taken into account.

One particular example of this is in regards to skin disease. Under Rule 148 (v) (a), ‘if visible evidence of recent skin disease exists, a horse will not be permitted to enter racecourse stables or run in any race unless a veterinary certificate accompanies the horse….not less than one hour before….This certificate must confirm that any such skin condition is no longer active’. In these circumstances the veterinary surgeon should record on the certificate any tests and exactly what the horse has been treated with and when. Should there be any discussion about whether the skin condition is ‘no longer active’, this and the results of any subsequent tests can be taken into account.

It is planned that a number of templates will be available on this section of the website, following consultation with the Association of Irish Racecourse Veterinary Surgeons and others, for completion by trainers’ veterinary surgeons to assist in this.

If you wish to make any submissions on the matter – please contact the Chief Veterinary Officer on 087 1925 366 lynn.hillyer@ihrb.ie

Passports

A horse’s passport is a legal document. It must accompany a horse at all times. Of particular note for trainers in Ireland, and those bringing horses to race in Ireland, are the requirements to,

• Ensure that the passport has been endorsed by the current trainer – this means that the trainer or their representative has checked that the markings and microchip recorded in the passport are correct and fully match the horse in their care.
  
  
• This is particularly important when a horse has been ‘marked up’ as a foal – changes can often occur between that time and when they start to race.
  
  
• Ensure that the vaccination entries are all correct,
  
  
  • Intervals are correct
    
    
  • Entries are valid – no gaps, no out of date vaccines used, full signature/stamp
    
    
  • No alterations, or if there are that they have been properly dealt with (see Equine Influenza section)
    
    
• Ensure that Section IX is completed if the horse has received medicines such as phenylbutazone which otherwise need to be recorded in the passport.  The I.H.R.B do not require that Section IX is completed but we wish to make trainers aware of the consequences of it.
  
  Copies of a passport may be accepted under exceptional circumstances, for example if the passport is being held by Weatherbys or HRI for a particular reason and the horse is to run but the expectation under such circumstances is that contact will be made ahead of time to the I.H.R.B to advise of such a circumstance.
  
  Copies of a passport will not be accepted if the horse is running under the circumstances set out in Rule 90 (i) – i.e. first time running in Ireland etc.

1. A decision of the Race Day Stewards:

1. Under Rule 256 of the Rules of Racing a decision of the Stewards on race day may be appealed by an Owner, Trainer or Rider of any horse running in the race or any person who has been subject of a decision.
   
   
2. Appeals must be made within 48 hours of the decision to the I.H.R.B by submitting the following:
   1. a notice of appeal setting out the specific reasons for the appeal; and
   2. deposit of €500.
      
      
3. Notice of Appeal should be addressed to the I.H.R.B and emailed to disciplinary@ihrb.ie.
   
   
4. This appeal will be a full re-hearing of the matter and the decision of the Appeals Body will be final.
   
   
5. The Appeals Body can confirm the original decision, vary the decision including the sanction or reverse it. Any variation of the sanction may include an increase of a penalty but only within the limits imposed under Rule 14.
   
   
6. If the 48 hours expires on a weekend day or Bank Holiday, the deadline will extend to the first business day the office is open for business.
   
   
   

2. A decision of the Referrals Committee or Licensing Committee

1. The subject of the decision or any affected person can appeal the decision of the Referrals Committee or Licensing Committee
   
   
2. Appeals must be received within 7 days of the decision being appealed and must have the following:
   1. a notice of appeal setting out the specific reasons for the appeal; and
   2. deposit of €500
      
      
3. Notice of Appeal should be addressed to the I.H.R.B and emailed to disciplinary@ihrb.ie.
   
   
4. Appeals Body can determine the appeal on the basis of a transcript of the original hearing as certified by the Chairperson.
   
   
5. Appeals Body may require a hearing of an appeal if they deem it necessary or on application of any party.
   
   
6. Person making the appeal can express a view as to which Division of the Appeals Body should hear the appeal under Rule 19C(6) however this is not determinative.
   
   

3. General Points to Note

1. Powers of the Referrals Committee are set out under Rule 19A
   
   
2. Powers of the Licensing Committee are set out under Rule 19B
   
   
3. Powers of Appeals Body are set out under Rule 19C
   
   
4. Any person appearing before the Licensing Committee, Referrals Committee or Appeals Body is entitled to have their case presented by a legal representative or by a designated official of a recognised Association under Rule 259.
   
   
5. Please also refer to Rules 258, 267, 268 and 269 in respect of appeals
   
   

Runner Abroad

What should I do before I run a horse outside of Ireland and Great Britain?

When a horse is to travel outside of Ireland for the purpose of running in a race the trainer must inform Horse Racing Ireland no later than the day prior to the deadline for declarations of the name of the country where the horse is to travel together with the name of the horse and the race name and date of the first race in which the horse is to run. Horse Racing Ireland will then submit a Racing Clearance Notification (RCN) to the recognised Turf Authority staging the race.

The above requirement does not apply to horses travelling to Great Britain to race.

The RCN will attest that a) the horse is free or not free as the case may be from any restrictions preventing it from racing, b) that the Trainer is duly licensed and c) that the Owner is duly registered and does not appear on the Forfeit List. For the purposes of the RCN a restriction on a horse does not include incomplete records of vaccination.

The Racing Clearance Notification does not state that the vaccinations are in order, so it is important to check that the vaccinations are up to date in the passport before travelling. All declaration of runners must be made directly to the racing authority of the country where the race is run, and trainers should be aware of possible time differences.

Some countries do not use this clearance method and in which case the trainer should check with HRI for the procedure to be followed.

For full details see Rule 95

What should I do when the horse has run outside of Ireland?

When a trainer runs a horse anywhere outside of Ireland he/she must notify Horse Racing Ireland within 48 hours of the race being run or before the horse is entered in another race in Ireland (whichever is the earlier) of the details of the racecourse performance. Failure to do this will result in a fine.
For full details see Rule 148(v)(d)

What else do I need to know?

When a horse travels outside of the country to run in a race there will be an identity check on the horse the next time it runs in Ireland. Failure to produce the passport then will result in the horse not being allowed to run and a fine being imposed.
For full details see Rule 90(i)

A claiming race is a race in which every horse running can be “claimed” or purchased after the race in accordance with Regulation R6 of the Rules of Racing and Irish National Hunt Steeplechase Rules.

It is open to current owners, new owners or those getting back in the sport. It is a simple, quick and easy way to purchase a racehorse that is ready to run straight away.

Current Regulations pertaining to claiming races can be found in the Rule Book which can be downloaded here.

Stable Employee Documentation

How To obtain a Racing Establishment Employee Card

To obtain a Racing Establishment Employee Card, the trainer must apply for this card on the appropriate form within 5 days of commencement of employment. Applicants must be 14 years of age to obtain a ‘B’ card (part – time) which is determined by the number of hours employed weekly (0-8 hrs) or 15 years of age to obtain an ‘A’ card (full – time) (8-39 hrs).

Click below for Swipe Card Application Forms:

• How To Register New Staff
• First Time Applicant
• Transfer of Employment
• Lost Card
• Termination of Employment
• Industry Induction Course

Click here for Stable Staff Welfare Charter

 

Stable Employee Bonus Scheme

The Stable Employee Bonus Scheme came into effect on 1st May 2000 and is paid out quarterly to Trainers. The Scheme is financed by a 3% deduction from all prizemoney and that money is distributed to all registered employees who are in employment at the end of the relevant quarter. The amount paid to each employee is agreed by all employees and is based on a written Agreement signed by all employees and lodged with the I.H.R.B.

Watering of Racecourses

On occasions, it may be necessary for Clerks of the Courses to advise racecourse managers to irrigate the racecourse in an effort to stop the track from drying out.

Therefore, it is necessary that each racecourse has a ‘Target Going’ which it will aim to provide if the Clerk of the Course has advised that water be applied in advance of a racemeeting.

A racecourse’s ‘Target Going’ for a given meeting will depend on:

• Whether a racemeeting is flat or national hunt or mixed
• Whether a racemeeting is part of a multiday fixture (e.g. festival)
• Racecourse characteristics - is racecourse tight/undulating or is it a ‘galloping’ track

The Clerk of the Course, in conjunction with the racecourse, will use their experience and local knowledge to estimate how much water will be required to achieve the ‘Target Going’ for a given meeting, and this decision will be influenced by:

• Prevailing going description
• Weather forecast, up to and including the duration of the racemeeting(s)
• Soil characteristics – is the soil free draining or otherwise

The racecourse will aim to provide ground that is reflective of the ‘Target Going’ but given uncertain forecasts of rain, drying conditions and/or inaccurate forecasts, the racecourses, after consulting the Clerk of the Course, may use their discretion to adapt or alter the watering program as they deem appropriate. Also, for a mixed meeting or a multiday meeting using the same racing line for both NH and flat races, the racecourse and the Clerk of the Course will use their discretion when watering to achieve the most appropriate going for the racemeeting.

All ‘Target Goings’ have been agreed between the Clerks of the Courses, the racecourses involved, Irish Racehorse Trainers Association (IRTA) and Irish Jockeys Association (IJA).

Target Going through Watering

Racecourse	Target Going (NH)	Target Going (Flat)
Ballinrobe	Good	Good
Bellewstown	Good	Good / Good to Firm
Clonmel	Good	Good
Cork	Good	Good to Firm
Curragh	n/a	Good to Firm
Down Royal	Good	Good to Firm
Downpatrick	Good	n/a
Dundalk	n/a	n/a
Fairyhouse (Easter NH Festival)	Good Good to Yielding	Good to Firm
Galway	Good	Good
Gowran Park	Good	Good to Firm
Kilbeggan	Good	n/a
Killarney	Good	Good / Good to Firm in places
Laytown	n/a	n/a
Leopardstown	Good	Good to Firm
Limerick	Good	Good to Firm
Listowel	Good	Good
Naas	Good	Good to Firm
Navan	Good	Good to Firm
Punchestown (NH Festival)	Good Good to Yielding	n/a
Roscommon	Good	Good to Firm
Sligo	Good	Good / Good to Firm in places
Thurles	n/a	n/a
Tipperary	Good	Good to Firm
Tramore	Good	Good
Wexford	Good	n/a

Procedures for Watering Racecourses

1. The racecourse manager or authorised deputy (hereafter referred to as ‘the racecourse’) must liaise with the Clerk of the Course before watering commences, and a program agreed upon to achieve going reflective of the ‘Target Going’ on the raceday. It is the racecourses’ responsibility to carry out this watering program as advised by the Clerk of the Course.

2. The watering program agreed may commence as soon as the Clerk of the Course deems necessary and the racecourse must maintain a record of the watering applied on a daily basis.

3. Information on a racecourse’s watering program for a particular meeting will be communicated by the IHRB, once agreed upon by the Clerk of the Course.

4. If the racecourse thinks it necessary to deviate from an agreed program, they must firstly consult with, and get agreement from, the Clerk of the Course. The watering program may need to be changed or halted to reflect, for example, a change of weather forecast. All such decisions should be reached between the racecourse and the Clerk of the Course, uninfluenced by any other stakeholders. Any updated information on a watering program will be communicated by IHRB thereafter.

5. Ideally, if conditions allow, watering should not continue beyond 8 hours before the start of the meeting. However, particularly for evening meetings held on warm summer days, watering may continue at the discretion of the Clerk of the Course until such time as he deems appropriate.

6. Watering should not first commence within 24 hours of the starting time of the first race (with the exception of multi-day meetings), unless in limited, exceptional circumstances, where the Clerk of the Course is satisfied that to begin watering at this point in time is absolutely necessary and the surface has been spiked and/or aerated.

7. The Directors of IHRB emphasise the importance of spiking and/or aerating all race tracks at appropriate times during the year, whether water is being applied or not.

8. Watering should only be done by bulk tankers if no other system is available. If bulk tankers are used, careful supervision is necessary by the racecourse to avoid false patches of ground, and tankers should be fitted with a boom if possible to prevent soil compaction.

9. When watering takes place, and where possible, the racing area should be limited to that watered ground prepared for the race day, by the use of rails or dolls.