Rule 14(7): "Canadian Owned" is a horse 100% owned by a Canadian resident(s)
Rule 14 (8): “Canadian Resident” means any person who maintains his permanent residence in Canada for at least 183 days in any given year.
Rule 33: The licensing fee shall be One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) for the first racing date and Five Dollars ($5.00) for each additional racing date in the calendar year to a maximum of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) per licence. No track facility shall hold or race in any one racing card more than sixteen (16) dashes, including qualifiers.
Rule 60: (1) Racing officials are prohibited from racing horses they own wholly or in part at any track where they are officiating under the jurisdiction of the MPHRC. (2) Racing officials are prohibited from wagering on races conducted under the jurisdiction on the MPHRC.
Rule 142: (1) An owner, trainer, driver, agent, employee or groom shall not have pari-mutuel tickets in his possession, or bet or cause any other person to bet on his behalf, on any other horse in any race in which a horse owned, trained, or driven, in which he in any way represents or handles as a starter; except in the case of feature wagering events where any owner, trainer, driver, agent, employee or groom may bet, or cause any other person to bet on his or her behalf only on combinations in which his or her horse or entry is selected in the "Win" position. A breach of this rule may result in suspension. (2) No association shall allow a person under 19 years of age to purchase or cash a ticket. For the purposes of this rule, a “ticket” is defined as a receipt or voucher that is issued by an association for one or more bets on a race or races. The association shall ensure that signs are clearly posted in all areas where tickets are purchased or cashed or on any Association wagering application forms, advising the public of the age restriction.
Rule 158: A horse making its second consecutive break or making a break off a qualifier in an elimination heat will be allowed to race in the final or consolation.
Rule 162: Within thirty (30) days of being declared in to race, a horse that has not raced previously at the gate chosen must go a qualifying race under the supervision of a judge holding a Senior or Associate Judge’s licence for pari-mutuel meetings and acquire at least one charted line by a licensed chart maker. However, for Added Money Events where the horse is declared in to race in an elimination race, within the 30 day rule, but said elimination race does not fill, the said horse can go directly to the final even if the final is not contested within the 30 day rule for said horse. From December 1 to March 31 (inclusive), of each year, the thirty (30) days will become forty- five (45) days.
Rule 178: Add Subsection (4) (4) Horses starting in (3) consecutive qualifying races failing to meet the prescribed standards may not be allowed to start in future qualifying races for a minimum of thirty (30) days at tracks under the jurisdiction of the MPHRC. This does not apply to 2 and 3 year olds that are to compete in Added Money Events. However, at the discretion of the Judges, a horse may be allowed to qualify prior to the expiration of thirty days, but will be required to go two (2) successful qualifying races. Rule 195: (1) The submitting of a declaration for a horse that is ineligible to race because it has been placed on the Judges’ List and is required to qualify is prohibited. Violation of this restriction will subject the person making the declaration to a fine not to exceed $50.00. (2) The submitting of a declaration will be permitted for a horse that is on the Judges’’ or Veterinarians’ List but is scheduled to be removed therefrom prior to the race. (3) The submitting of declarations for one horse to races scheduled for the same day at different tracks is prohibited. Violation of this restriction will subject the person making the declaration to a fine not to exceed $50.00.
Rule 208. Horses may not be coupled as an entry for pari-mutuel purposes where: (1) a person is the owner or part owner of two or more horses in a race; or (2) the spouse, including common law, of a person who is the owner or part owner of one horse in a race is the owner or part owner of another horse in that race. Please note: Rule 208 has been revised for a ONE YEAR TRIAL PERIOD
DELETE 208(1) (c) DELETE 208 (2)
Rule 310(3): (3) horses using the open stretch must first have complete clearance of the pylons. If there is conclusive evidence that any horse or the inside wheel of the horse’s sulky leaves the race course by going inside the pylons, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver and/or horse without being interfered with by another driver and/or horse to clear shall be subject to Section 6.5 – Pylons.
Rule 313: (1) The possession of any mechanical or electrical goading device on the grounds of a track facility shall constitute a violation. (2) The Judges have the authority to disallow the use of any equipment or harness that they feel is unsafe or not in the best interest of racing.
Rule 314 (2) (2) The placing of both lines in one hand in order to urge the horse will be considered a Type II offence except as allowed under Rule 315 (4) (a).
Rule 315: (1) At any time while on the grounds of a racetrack, it is an offence for a driver, or the person in control of the horse, to engage in any of the following actions with respect to their driving conduct: (a) Indiscriminate action, which is characterized by unrestrained or careless activity; (b) Excessive action, which is characterized by unreasonable quantity or degree; (c) Aggressive action, which is characterized by inhumane, severe or brutal activity. (2) The whip shall not be used on a horse in a race: (a) Where the horse is backing up through the field or is not visibly responding; or (b) Where the horse is not in contention for a meaningful position, and shall not be used after the finish of the race. (3) At any time while on the grounds of a racetrack, it is an offence for a driver, or the person in control of the horse, to use the whip to hit or make contact with the horse as follows: (a) To raise their hand(s) above their head; (b) To cause the whip to move back beyond a 90-degree angle relative to the track; (c) To cause any portion of the whip to be outside the confines of the wheels of the race bike; (d) To strike the shaft of the race bike, or the horse below the level of the shaft of the race bike; (e) To cut or severely welt a horse.
(4) A driver, or the person in control of the horse, is required to: (a) Keep a line in each hand with hands in the handholds for the entire race, from the starter’s call to the gate until the finish of the race, except for the purpose of adjusting equipment such as the removal of ear plugs. (b) Keep both hands in front of their body; (c) Keep their hands below their head; and (d) Have control of their horse at all times when on the racetrack. Violation of any of the provisions in Rule 315 (1), (2), (3) or (4) may result in any of the following penalties: (a) Fine; (b) Suspension; (c) Any other penalty as ordered. Indiscriminate action means unrestrained or careless activity without regard for safety or care. For the purposes of Rule 315(1) (a), the following are examples of indiscriminate action but do not constitute an exhaustive list: (a) use of the whip in any manner between the hind legs of the horse (b) loose lining or driving the horse so as to not have control of the horse (c) striking the horse with the butt end of the whip; or (d) punching the horse. Excessive action means unreasonable quantity or degree. For the purposes of Rule 315 (1) (b), the following are examples of excessive action with respect to inappropriate urging of the horse but does not constitute an exhaustive list: (a) use of the whip when a horse is not in contention in a race; (b) use of the whip without giving the horse time to respond to a previous application of the use of the whip (c) use of the whip on the horse anywhere below the level of the shaft of the race bike. Aggressive action means inhumane, severe or brutal activity. For the purposes of Rule 315 (1) (c), the following are examples of aggressive action but do not constitute an exhaustive list: (a) use of the whip on the head or in the area surrounding the head of the horse (b) use of any object or stimulating device and/or application; or (c) leaving any cuts, abrasions or severe welts on the horse caused by the whip; Loose lining means the indiscriminate action of carelessly lengthening the lines while driving so as to allow the loopy shaking of the lines (i.e. butterfly action) or to permit the arm to swing past a 90-degree angle to allow a wide arch when using the whip or shaking the lines.
Meaningful Position Rule315 (2)(b) means the horse has a reasonable opportunity to finish in an advantageous position. Examples of meaningful include, but are not limited to, maintaining qualifying times, receiving points towards future races or earning purse monies. Confines of the wheels Rule 315 (3) (c) means that any part of the whip cannot move outside of a line which runs parallel to the horse from a point outlined by the outside of the race bike wheel.
DELETE 316 Rule 317. The penalty for any offence against Rule 315, within the same calendar year shall be assessed in accordance with the following penalty schedule: (1) For the first offence assess a $50.00 fine. (2) For the second offence within the calendar year assess a $100.00 fine. (3) After any driver who commits more than two (2) offences within 100 drives in the same calendar year he/she will be assessed the following: (a) 3rd offence: $200.00 fine and two day driving suspension & mandatory meeting with Judges (b) 4th offence: $300.00 fine and four day driving suspension &mandatory meeting with Judges (c) 5th offence: $400.00 fine and six day driving suspension & mandatory meeting with Judges (4) For purposes of this section, after each 100 drives within the same calendar year his next offence shall be assessed as if it is the first in accordance with the above penalty schedule. Upon the expiration of the calendar year penalties shall be assessed starting with the first offence. (5) After any driver commits more than five (5) offences within 100 drives in the same calendar year the Commission shall review the matter and an appropriate penalty may be assessed in accordance with the Maritime Provinces Harness Racing Commission Rules and Regulations.
Rule 331. (1) Drivers shall keep both feet in the stirrups during the post parade and from the time the horses are brought to the starting gate until the race has been completed. Drivers shall be permitted to remove a foot from the stirrups during the course of the race solely for the purpose of pulling earplugs and once pulled, the foot must be placed back into the stirrup. (2) Striking the wheel disk of a sulky while holding one line in each hand by the handholds is a Type I offence. For any offense against Rule 331 the following penalties apply: (a) 1st offence: within the calendar year assess a $25.00 fine (b) 2nd offence: within the calendar year assess a $50.00 fine. (c) 3rd offence: within the calendar year assess a $100.00 fine (d) 4th offence: within the calendar year assess a $100.00 fine and one day driving suspension (e) 5th offence: within the calendar year assess a $100.00 fine and two day driving suspension For purposes of this section, after each 100 drives within the same calendar year his next offence shall be assessed as if it is the first in accordance with the above penalty schedule. Upon the expiration of the calendar year penalties shall be assessed starting with the first offence.
Rule 332. During a race: (1) No driver shall kick a horse. (Type II Offence) (2) In addition to kicking, which is a Type II offence, no driver shall hit a horse with his/her foot in any manner. (Refer to Rule 331 for penalty)
Rule 338: If there is conclusive evidence that any horse or the inside wheel of the horse’s sulky leaves the race course by going inside the pylons, when not forced to do so as a result of the actions of another driver or horse or without being interfered with by another driver or horse, shall be placed as follows: (1) if any horse or the inside wheel of the horse's sulky goes inside (2) two consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed behind all horses that are lapped on to the offending horse at the wire; (2) if any horse or the inside wheel of the horse's sulky goes inside three (3) or more consecutive pylons, the offending horse shall be placed last.
Rule 345(5) (5) As of January 1, 2011 all drivers must wear an approved safety vest (ASTM Standard). Failure to wear an approved vest will result in the driver being assessed a fine of $25.00.
Rule 367(1): (1) Controlled Substance -- as outlined in the Criminal Code of Canada and/or Federal legislation or regulations respecting the administration of Horse Racing, for which a MPHRC licensee does not have a valid medical prescription for such use and/or administration.
Rule 373: (a) Table 1 Table 1
Class
1st Offense
2nd Offense
3 Offense
Loss of Purse
Horse Suspension
Suspension
Fine
Suspension
Fine
Suspension
Fine
Class 1
1-2 Years
$1000 $2,000
3-4 Years
$3000 $4000
5 Years
$5,000
Yes
30 Days
Class 2
6-8 Months
$1,500
9-10 Months
$1,500
11-12 Months
$1,500
Yes
30 Days
Class 3
60-100 Days
$500
100-140 Days
$500
140-180 Days
$500
Yes
30 Days
Class 4
15-30 Days
$200
31-45 Days
$200
45-59 Days
$200
Yes
Same as Trainer Suspension*
Class 5
15 Days
$100
15 Days
$100
15 Days
$100
Yes
Same as Trainer Suspension*
* Up to a Maximum of 30 Days A horse while under suspension cannot be sold and/or transferred to another owner.
Rule 380: Following proper identification, a veterinarian, or qualified technician shall take a blood sample from the horse(s) randomly selected for blood gas analysis within approximately twenty (20) minutes immediately preceding the start of the race in which the selected horse(s) has been entered.
Rule 397: (1.) If suspended, expelled, or unlicensed, a person is prohibited from transferring his/her interest to his/her immediate family. Immediate family shall include spouse (including common law), son, daughter, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, father, mother, grandchild, grand-parent, adopted son, adopted daughter, stepson, stepdaughter, sister, brother, or person to whom the affected licencee stands in loco parentis. (2.) If a suspended, expelled or unlicensed person purports to transfer his interest in a horse while suspended, expelled or unlicensed, the judges may inquire into any such transfer to determine whether the racing of a horse is under the control or influence of the transferor. If it is concluded that the horse is under the control or influence of the transferor, the Judges may declare the horse ineligible.
RULE 404 (1): The timely filing of any appeal shall suspend the payment of any fines or the serving of any calendar days in a Judges' ruling unless it is deemed by the Commission to not be in the best interest of racing to stay the penalties. There will be no stay granted for a fine and any other sanction associated with Rule 375 or a positive test analysis result as a consequence of blood, blood gas analysis, urine or saliva sample analysis.
RULE 421
DELETE
