The Rules of Racing issued by the Horse Racing Division (HRD) was published in the Government Gazette of Mauritius last week and it will be fully enforced.
The Rules of Racing were previously issued by the Mauritius Turf Club (MTC) and it was done by the MTC Sports and Leisure Ltd last year. This will no longer be the case as from the 2022 racing season as the HRD took over many offices such as: Stipendiary Stewards, Gambling Compliance officer, handicapper, judge, security official, betting supervisor, clerk of scales. Leaving the following to the Horse Racing Organiser (HRO) who is the MTCSL Ltd: medical officer, veterinarian, course farrier, clerk of course, analyst, specimen sample collectors, security officers, paddock official, chief hander and assistants and starter.
The HRD shall decide on the matters relating to the granting, renewal, variation, suspension, revocation, and withdrawals of licences and permits in respect of owners, trainers, jockeys, apprentices, amateur riders, grooms and officials.
The HRD shall have control over and free access to all stands, rooms, enclosures, and other places used for the purpose of any race meeting held by the HRO. The HRD may refuse access to, exclude or expel from any place controlled by a HRO or by the HRD, any person, who in the HRD’s absolute discretion is unfit to be granted such access.
The HRD will have the power to inflict under and person subject to their control any of the following penalties: reprimand, caution, warning, suspension from acting or riding according to their licence, warning off, disqualification, a fine not exceeding Rs 1 million.
On any race day the HRD may, at any time and in their absolute discretion, revoke the appointment of any Stipendiary Steward, and appoint a substitute as they think fit.
A foreign jockey shall not be allowed to ride in Mauritius for more than 3 consecutive years. And a jockey who have been allowed to do so shall not be authorised to ride in Mauritius within a period of 2 years from the date he last rode in Mauritius.
Where, in racing season, a stable or trainer has terminated the contract of a foreign jockey or they have put an end to their contract by mutual agreement, that jockey shall not ride for another stable or trainer for the same season.
The Stipendiary shall have the power: to prohibit a any horse from starting in a race without giving a reason; at any time during the hours of racing, to remove and/or replace the judge, starter, clerk of scales, clerk of course, timekeeper, or any official; to require production and take possession of and examine (by any means) any mobile phones, computers, tablets, other electronic devices, book, documents, records (including telephone or financial) in relation to any race meeting and/or investigation, inquiry, hearing or proceeding.
Any owner who neglects and/or fails to pay its keep fee shall commit an offence and shall be liable to any sanction at the Stipendiary Stewards may deem fit.
