Conduct of Racing
1. Declaration to Run
Trainers are required to declare their horses to run at the prescribed time for each race. Declaration forms will be provided by the officials of the Racecourse to each Trainer. It is essential that any special equipment to be carried by the horse is also declared on this form. If a horse is to run with blinkers, a declaration that it is to do so must be made. When a horse has been declared to run with blinkers, they shall be worn, and when no declaration of blinkers, they must not be worn by the horse during the race. However, this does not apply in the event that the stewards of the meeting deem there is a compelling reason.
*The use of Nasal Strips is not permitted in horse racing in Japan. Some equipment may not be allowed to be used without prior permission and therefore, please contact JRA stewards in advance.
2. Scratches
Scratches in JRA racing, which are solely based on the opinion of the Owner or Trainer, for reasons of weather, or change in track conditions are not permitted on or after the deadline for declaration.
Scratches are only possible after receiving the approval of the stewards of the meeting through the submission of a document (the person-in-charge will provide assistance in drawing up the necessary document), certifying to any accident to, or disease of the horse.
3. Licensing
Visiting Trainers and Jockeys are required to attend a licensing interview with the JRA stewards for the issuance of their license. The date and time will be provided upon his/her arrival.
4. Lead Ponies
Lead ponies are not used and cannot be brought into Japan. JRA does not have gate crew situated inside the starting gate stall in order to keep the horse in check.
5. Starting Gate Loading Procedures
All JRA races use a Starting Gate System. The Starting Gate is a movable set of stalls with gates that open simultaneously at the start of the race. Prior to running in races conducted by the JRA, only horses which passed a gate test held during the stay at the Quarantine Center are able to run in the race.
Loading will take place under the direction of the starter. As a general rule, horses with odd numbers in the draw will be loaded first, followed by those with even numbers, and the horse with the highest number in the draw will be loaded last no matter whether the number is odd or even. This procedure is taken for the safety of horses and people concerned, for speedy and efficient loading to start the race.
However, horses with blindfolds or those horses with bad records at loading may be loaded first no matter whether the draw is odd or even. Should there be many unruly horses taking draw position with high numbers, the starter may decide to load the horse with lowest number draw last.
6. Matters to be noted in Relation to Jockeys
| a) | The Jockeys to ride in races conducted by JRA must enter and stay in the Jockey's Quarter at the racecourse designated by JRA by 9:00 PM on the previous day of that race meeting day. (For Invitational races, the Jockeys must stay at accommodation facilities designated by JRA from 9:00 PM on the previous day of each race.) This is done to uphold the integrity of racing. | |
| b) | A Jockey must ride in a race carrying the officially announced weight. The weight of
1.0 kg
shall be subtracted from the weight concerned as the weight of the safety vest, which is mandatory. For example, if the announced weight is 57 kg, the Jockey has to ride the horse at the weight of
58.0 kg. |
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| c) | The JRA may require the random selection of several Jockeys on race day to take and pass a urine test for prohibited substances (stimulant drugs, marijuana, narcotics, and diuretics). | |
| d) | A whip which is 77 cm (approximately 30 inches) or longer is prohibited from being used in races. | |
| e) | From the standpoint of horse welfare and safety of racing, the use of the whip in the following manner may be liable to punishment: - Using the whip to the extent of causing injury. - Using the whip with the arm above shoulder height. - Using the whip with excessive force. - Using the whip on a horse which is showing no response. - The continued use of the whip on a horse after its chance of winning or being placed is clearly gone. - The unnecessary use of the whip on a horse that has clearly won its race or has obtained its maximum placing. - Using the whip on a horse which is past the winning post. - Using the whip on the flank of the horse. - Using the whip with excessive frequency. - Using the whip on any part of the horse's head or in the vicinity of the head. - The use of the whip in front of the saddle while the whip is held in the forehand position, unless exceptional circumstances prevail. |
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| f) | No one under 15 years of age is permitted to ride as a Jockey in JRA races. | |
| g) | Should an incident of interference which affects the result of the race occur during race, the offending horse is disqualified or demoted behind the offended horse, depending on the finishing order of the offender and the victimized horse. | |
| h) | We strongly recommend that Jockeys subscribe to casualty compensation before they leave their home country, which will provide them with coverage while in Japan. |
7. Other Pertinent Information
| a) | When a horse bleeds in a race, the horse is suspended from racing for one month for the first offence. |
