Minimum ban for ‘jigger’ offences extended to five years

Racing participants found guilty of using electronic devices on racehorses will face increased sanctions as welfare issues form the centrepiece of several imminent national rule changes.

From Thursday, the mandatory minimum ban for using an implement commonly known throughout the industry as a “jigger” will be extended from two years to five years.

Acting on a recommendation from the Chairmen of Stewards Committee (COSC), the move has received unanimous support from Australia’s principal racing authorities (PRAs).

However, a mandatory minimum penalty for possession of a “jigger” has not been approved.

In making its case for an increased ban on the use of a “jigger” in a race, official trial, jumpout or training gallop, the committee claimed the existing two-year penalty was insufficient.

“… a more significant period of disqualification should be prescribed to act as a strong deterrent,” the committee said.

In other major rule changes related to welfare, stewards Australia-wide have been given additional and wider powers surrounding the frequency a horse will be allowed to race.

From May 1, a horse will not be allowed to race on consecutive days without permission from a PRA or its panel of stewards.

In a further amendment to welfare rules, a horse will not be permitted to race more than five times in a month.

Stewards will also have the discretionary power to further limit the number of starts beyond 30 days based on horse welfare considerations.

NSW, Queensland, Western Australia and South Australia have already used Local Rules of Racing on the frequency of race starts but a Racing Australia amendment will mean the rules will be adopted across all national jurisdictions.

A Racing NSW rule that puts more onus on a trainer to accept responsibility for the administration and running of their stable has also been introduced at a national level.

As the rule stood, trainers have only been required to report an issue that might affect a horse’s racing performance.

Now, they will also have to inform stewards of any incident or occurrence that has the potential to create integrity and welfare concerns.

Under the rule, trainers who are away from their stables for more than two days must deputise a licensed or registered person, pending stewards’ approval and permission.

However, the rule does not exempt the trainer from responsibilities for the “care, control and supervision” of their horses or the conduct of their stables.

Also from Thursday, jockeys will be able to weigh-out without an accompanying breastplate following a RNSW submission to the COSC that received unanimous support from PRAs.

The rule change comes in response to the incidence of riders struggling to make the weight because of the addition of a breastplate, generally at the last minute, which had led to unnecessary disruptions to raceday logistics.

The move will bring Australian racing into line with Hong Kong Jockey Club rules.