The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 4 Claiming Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 335 g Claim can be voided
(1) The *judges/stewards board may declare a *claim to be void if
(a) any provision of these rules relating to *claiming is *violated,
(b) the *judges/stewards board is satisfied that the spirit and intent of the rules have been violated, or
(c) if the Official Chemist reports a positive test on a horse that was claimed, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant of the positive test by the judges/stewards,
(d) if the horse has been found ineligible to the event from which it was claimed, or
(e) if approved post-race testing procedures disclosed that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horses and reported in the analysis report from the laboratory, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant by the judges/stewards.
(1.1) A claim may be voided if a horse is a starter as determined by the judges/stewards board, and the horse:
(a) Dies on the racing oval;
(b) Suffers an injury which requires the euthanasia of the horse as determined by the Official Veterinarian while the horse is on the racing oval;
(c) The horse is placed on the Veterinarian’s List while on the racing oval;
(d) The horse is removed from the racing oval by equine ambulance.
(2) If erythropoietin or darbepoetin is confirmed in a blood sample taken from a claimed horse, the claimant of that horse may request the judges/stewards to declare the claim invalid, but the request must be made within 48 hours of the claimant, his or her trainer, or authorized agent receiving notification of the positive test from the judges/stewards.
(3) When the judges/stewards board rules a claim to be void and the *horse is returned to the original *owner:
(a) the amount of the claiming price plus GST shall be repaid to the claimant;
(b) any purse money earned subsequent to the date of the claim and before the date on which the claim is ruled void becomes the property of the claimant, and
(c) the claimant is responsible for any reasonable costs incurred through the care, training, or racing of the horse while it was in their care, custody or control.
Rule 335 g Claim can be voided previously stated:
(1) The *judges/stewards board may declare a *claim to be void if
(a) any provision of these rules relating to *claiming is *violated,
(b) the *judges/stewards board is satisfied that the spirit and intent of the rules have been violated, or
(c) if the Official Chemist reports a positive test on a horse that was claimed, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant of the positive test by the judges/stewards,
(d) if the horse has been found ineligible to the event from which it was claimed, or
(e) if approved post-race testing procedures disclosed that an improper medication or drug was found to be present in the sample of the claimed horses and reported in the analysis report from the laboratory, provided such option is exercised within 48 hours following notification to the claimant by the judges/stewards.
(1.1) A claim may be voided if a horse is a starter as determined by the judges/stewards board, and the horse:
(a) Dies on the racing oval;
(b) Suffers an injury which requires the euthanasia of the horse as determined by the Official Veterinarian while the horse is on the racing oval;
(2) If erythropoietin or darbepoetin is confirmed in a blood sample taken from a claimed horse, the claimant of that horse may request the judges/stewards to declare the claim invalid, but the request must be made within 48 hours of the claimant, his or her trainer, or authorized agent receiving notification of the positive test from the judges/stewards.
(3) When the judges/stewards board rules a claim to be void and the *horse is returned to the original *owner:
(a) the amount of the claiming price plus GST shall be repaid to the claimant;
(b) any purse money earned subsequent to the date of the claim and before the date on which the claim is ruled void becomes the property of the claimant, and
(c) the claimant is responsible for any reasonable costs incurred through the care, training, or racing of the horse while it was in their care, custody or control.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 6 Standardbred Racing \ Division 4 Racing Rules
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
408 s Preference priority rules
Preference is governed by the following:
(a) if more than the required number of *horses are declared in to a *race with the same preference date, the previous preference dates apply;
(b) when a horse is racing for the first time at the gait declared for it, it has preference for its first start over other horses, regardless of their preference dates;
(c) when a horse is entered for its second lifetime start it has preference over horses that have started twice or more and have an equal preference date to single starter;
(d) if a *declaration is made for a horse that has already been drawn to start in a race that has not yet been contested, the date of that uncontested race is its preference date;
(e) if a horse has been *scratched, other than by the *judges board, the date of the race from which it is scratched is its preference date;
(f) if a race has been reopened for additional declarations, preference is to be given to those horses eligible and declared at the time declarations closed originally;
(g) if conditions so specify, preference can be given to 2-year old horses, regardless of preference date;
(h) if a racing program or any portion of a program is cancelled or a *race is declared no contest, the *horses affected by that cancellation or *declaration shall receive a special preference;
(i) the special preference is good in all categories except *stakes races and is to be considered “best preference”.
408 s Preference priority rules previously stated:
Preference is governed by the following:
(a) if more than the required number of *horses are declared in to a *race with the same preference date, the previous preference dates apply;
(b) when a horse is racing for the first time at the gait declared for it, it has preference for its first start over other horses, regardless of their preference dates;
(c) when a horse is entered for its second lifetime start it has preference over horses that have started twice or more and have an equal preference date to single starter;
(d) if a *declaration is made for a horse that has already been drawn to start in a race that has not yet been contested, the date of that uncontested race is its preference date;
(e) if a horse has been *scratched, other than by the *judges board, the date of the race from which it is scratched is its preference date;
(f) if a race has been reopened for additional declarations, preference is to be given to those horses eligible and declared at the time declarations closed originally;
(g) if conditions so specify, preference can be given to 2-year old horses, regardless of preference date.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct, Division 1 Fouls and Objections
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 269 g Out of Competition testing program
(1) Horse Racing Alberta may order that biological samples, including but not limited to blood, hair, saliva and urine, be taken from a horse at any time or place and without prior notice.
(a) Standardbred horses entered to race in the Province of Alberta, may be subject to a Horse Racing Alberta determined time frame for retention before and/or after the horse races at the discretion of the Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing.
(2) When an order for a biological sample is made, the sample must be taken by a *licensed veterinarian designated by Horse Racing Alberta or an official veterinarian, to determine whether or not the horse has any *drug, *medication or *foreign substance in its system.
(3) When an order for a biological sample is made by Horse Racing Alberta, the horse must be made available forthwith,
(a) by the *licensed owner or the *trainer of record of the horse,
(b) if the licensed owner or the trainer are not readily available, by any assistant trainer,
or
(c) if there is no assistant trainer, or if no assistant trainer is readily available, by any groom employed by the trainer of record of the horse.
(4) The failure or refusal, following notification to make a horse available forthwith for a biological sample to be taken in accordance with an order by Horse Racing Alberta is a violation of these rules and may result in one or more of the following:
(a) the horse may be scratched from any race it is entered into or subsequently entered into;
(b) the owner or trainer may be prohibited from entering any horse in future races in Alberta.
(5) No licensee, other than those authorized by Horse Racing Alberta, may obtain biological samples from any horse located off the grounds of a race track for the purpose described in these rules.
(6) Horse Racing Alberta may direct its laboratory to retain and preserve biological samples for future analysis.
(7) Horse Racing Alberta may fix a time period that biological samples are to be stored, and may order the destruction of stored samples after that fixed time period has expired.
Rule 269 g Out of Competition testing program previously stated:
(1) Horse Racing Alberta may order that biological samples, including but not limited to blood, hair, saliva and urine, be taken from a horse at any time or place and without prior notice.
(2) When an order for a biological sample is made, the sample must be taken by a *licensed veterinarian designated by Horse Racing Alberta or an official veterinarian, to determine whether or not the horse has any *drug, *medication or *foreign substance in its system.
(3) When an order for a biological sample is made by Horse Racing Alberta, the horse must be made available forthwith,
(a) by the *licensed owner or the *trainer of record of the horse,
(b) if the licensed owner or the trainer are not readily available, by any assistant trainer,
or
(c) if there is no assistant trainer, or if no assistant trainer is readily available, by any groom employed by the trainer of record of the horse.
(4) The failure or refusal, following notification to make a horse available forthwith for a biological sample to be taken in accordance with an order by Horse Racing Alberta is a violation of these rules and may result in one or more of the following:
(a) the horse may be scratched from any race it is entered into or subsequently entered into;
(b) the owner or trainer may be prohibited from entering any horse in future races in Alberta.
(5) No licensee, other than those authorized by Horse Racing Alberta, may obtain biological samples from any horse located off the grounds of a race track for the purpose described in these rules.
(6) Horse Racing Alberta may direct its laboratory to retain and preserve biological samples for future analysis.
(7) Horse Racing Alberta may fix a time period that biological samples are to be stored, and may order the destruction of stored samples after that fixed time period has expired.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 1 Administration of Horse Races and Veterinary Care, Division 1 Appointment of Officials, Facilities, and Record Keeping Racing Officials
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 112 g First aid and ambulance facilities
(1) A *licensed operator shall provide and equip a properly staffed and equipped Basic Life Support ambulance in accordance with the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Act with primary care paramedics.
(a) At “A” Tracks during training hours where Thoroughbred/Quarter Horse racing is conducted; during qualifying where Standardbred racing is conducted, and during all racing hours for all breeds.
(b) At “B” Tracks during qualifying where Standardbred racing is conducted, and during all racing hours for all breeds.
(2) A *licensed operator shall have during morning workouts, qualifying races and during the regular racing program, a qualified person who has completed the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5) or the most current Edition training for concussion assessment.
(3) A *licensed operator shall provide an equine ambulance staffed by trained personnel on association grounds on each day that the race track is open for racing or training.
(4) Provide a horse ambulance available to remove horses from the track.
Rule 112 g First aid and ambulance facilities previously stated:
(1) A *licensed operator shall provide and equip a first aid room and have present on their premises, or within easy call, a licensed physician, registered nurse, or qualified attendant and shall have present during morning workouts, qualifying races and during the regular racing program an ambulance or mobile first aid vehicle, equipped and operated by the St John Ambulance or equivalent, for participants and patrons.
(2) A *licensed operator shall have during morning workouts, qualifying races and during the regular racing program, a qualified person who has completed the Sport Concussion Assessment Tool 5th Edition (SCAT5) training for concussion assessment.
(3) A *licensed operator shall have a horse ambulance available in the stable area on race days for the removal of injured animals.
(4) Provide a horse ambulance available to remove horses from the track.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct, Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 286 g Conduct prejudicial to the best interests of horse racing
(1) A person *violates these rules who,
(a) in the opinion of the *judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interest of *horse racing, or
(b) does not comply with these or any *other rules.
(2) All Licensees shall conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and orderly manner while on the grounds of any licenced racetrack or during any racing-related activity under the jurisdiction of Horse Racing Alberta.
(3) Any licensee found to be engaging in past or present conduct deemed disruptive, unprofessional, or abusive including but not limited to the following, may be subject to immediate disciplinary action by Horse Racing Alberta:
(a) Verbal abuse, physical or sexual misconduct, or discrimination;
(b) Behaviour that compromises the safety of others;
(c) Use profane, obscene, or threatening language;
(d) Engage in harassment, intimidation, or abusive behaviour;
(e) Interfere with the duties of racing officials or security investigators;
(f) Engage in conduct detrimental to the integrity, reputation, or orderly conduct of racing;
(4) Upon reasonable grounds the Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Racing, the Deputy Director, Regulatory and Supervisor of Security, Judges, Stewards or authorized Security Investigators may:
(a) Issue a temporary minimum 24 hour suspension of the licensee’s privileges;
(b) Remove the licensee from the racetrack premises for a minimum of 24 hours;
(c) Restrict access to racing-related activities pending a formal hearing;
(d) Impose conditions on the licence;
(5) Such actions may be taken prior to a formal hearing if the conduct poses a risk to the safety, integrity, or orderly operation of the racing environment.
Rule 286 g Conduct prejudicial to the best interests of horse racing previously stated:
(6) A person *violates these rules who,
(g) in the opinion of the *judges/stewards board, conducts themselves in a manner prejudicial to the best interest of *horse racing, or
(h) does not comply with these or any *other rules.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct \ Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
209 t Riding Crop and Spurs Requirements
Riding Crop Requirements:
(1) No riding crop may weigh more than ½ pound.
(2) No riding crop may be used in a *horse race unless;
(a) A cushioned riding crop with a soft popper, no less than 6 inches
(b) There is no stitching on the end or sides,
(c) It is made of leather, or other material approved by the *stewards board,
(d) It is not less than 1 ¼ inches in width,
(e) Unaltered from original manufacturer.
(3) No riding crop may exceed 30 inches in length.
(4) Must be approved by the Board of Stewards.
Spurs Requirements:
(1) The use of spurs by exercise riders is permitted solely for the purpose of providing clear, refined guidance to the horse. Spurs are prohibited in a race. Stewards may prohibit the use of spurs by an exercise rider if, in their opinion of the outrider or race official, such use is unsafe or inappropriate.
(2) Spurs must be of a blunt, smooth design and must not contain sharp edges, pointed tips, or serrated/rotating rowels.
(3) The shank of the spur shall not exceed one (1) inch (3cm) in length as measured from the back of the boot to the furthest tip of the shank.
(4) Rowels: Traditional spinning wheels or rowels are prohibited.
(5) Altered Equipment: No person shall alter, sharpen, or modify a spur in any manner.
(6) Improper fit: Spurs must be worn in the traditional manner with the shank directed rearward and downward.
(7) The “No marks” Standard: A rider shall not use spurs or any other urging device (including crops) in a manner that results in physical trauma, including but not limited to broken skin, welts, swelling, or visible spur marks.
(8) Indiscriminate Action: The use of spurs on a horse that is exhausted, non-responsive, or in the opinion of the stewards is in distress is a violation of the Rule.
Riding Crop Requirements:
(1) No riding crop may weigh more than ½ pound.
(2) No riding crop may be used in a *horse race unless;
(f) A cushioned riding crop with a soft popper, no less than 6 inches
(g) There is no stitching on the end or sides,
(h) It is made of leather, or other material approved by the *stewards board,
(i) It is not less than 1 ¼ inches in width,
(j) Unaltered from original manufacturer.
(3) No riding crop may exceed 30 inches in length.
(4) Must be approved by the Board of Stewards.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules \ Part 3 Horse Racing Misconduct \ Division 2 Rule Violations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 287g Specific violations
(1) A person also *violates these rules who
(xi) The possession or use on a horse of any goading device, or chain, or mechanical or electrical device other than an approved whip/riding crop or approved spurs used in the manner prescribed by the rules upon a horse shall constitute a violation;
Rule 287g Specific violations previously stated:
(1) A person also *violates these rules who
(xi) The possession or use on a horse of any goading device, or chain, or spur, or mechanical or electrical device other than a whip/riding crop used in the manner prescribed by the rules upon a horse shall constitute a violation;
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 2 Race
Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 162 g Cancellation of program
(1) In an overnight event, at least 8 *horses owned by entirely different interests must enter, or the racing secretary may declare the *race off.
(2) In the event a racing program is cancelled for any reason prior to the administration of Lasix, the overnight races scheduled for that program may be rescheduled and run at a later date no more that 96 hours after the cancellation date. However, if only a portion of the racing program is cancelled, the overnight events shall not be rescheduled or run at a later date, but any sweepstakes or stake races on the card may be conducted at a later date.
Rule 162 t Cancellation of program previously stated:
(1) In an overnight event, at least 8 *horses owned by entirely different interests must enter, or the racing secretary may declare the *race off.
(2) If a racing program or any portion of the program is cancelled for any reason, the overnight events are not to be run off at a later date, but a *sweepstakes on the cancelled program may be run at a later date.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 2: Licensing Rules \ Part 2 Racing Participants: Designation and Licensing \ Division 1 Racing Participant’s Licences Subdivision 1\ Licensed Veterinarians, Licensed Animal Health Technologists and Unregistered Veterinary Auxiliaries
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 36 g Conditions of veterinarian licence
A licence issued to a registered veterinarian is subject to the following conditions:
(a) the licensee will comply with the *Act, and these and *other rules;
(b) the licensee will use their best endeavours to promote the best interests of horse racing and ensure that the Act and these and other rules are complied with;
(c) the licensee will notify *Horse Racing Alberta if the licensee ceases to be registered in good standing under the Veterinary Profession Act;
(d) the licensee will supervise and control any *animal health technologist and unregistered veterinary auxiliary for whose conduct the licensee is responsible;
(e) the licensee is responsible to Horse Racing Alberta for the proper care and treatment of *race horses during the *racing season and for the effects of that treatment, including the administration of drugs, medications, and foreign substances;
(f) the licensee while practising at any location under Horse Racing Alberta’s jurisdiction is subject to the authority of the *official veterinarian and the *judges/stewards board;
(g) the licensee will not apply for or hold a *trainer’s licence;
(h) any special conditions prescribed by Horse Racing Alberta.
(i) A practicing veterinarian who owns and trains, in whole or in part, a horse, shall not treat another horse that is entered in a race in which the practicing veterinarian’s horse is entered. If the practicing veterinarian has treated or otherwise provided veterinarian services for a horse that is entered in a race after the horse was entered, the horse owned or trained by the practicing veterinarian, in whole or in part, is not eligible to race and shall be scratched. A practicing veterinarian who trains a horse, in whole or in part, shall not claim a horse that the practicing veterinarian has treated within the past 30 days.
Rule 36 g Conditions of veterinarian licence previously stated:
A licence issued to a registered veterinarian is subject to the following conditions:
(a) the licensee will comply with the *Act, and these and *other rules;
(b) the licensee will use their best endeavours to promote the best interests of horse racing and ensure that the Act and these and other rules are complied with;
(c) the licensee will notify *Horse Racing Alberta if the licensee ceases to be registered in good standing under the Veterinary Profession Act;
(d) the licensee will supervise and control any *animal health technologist and unregistered veterinary auxiliary for whose conduct the licensee is responsible;
(e) the licensee is responsible to Horse Racing Alberta for the proper care and treatment of *race horses during the *racing season and for the effects of that treatment, including the administration of drugs, medications, and foreign substances;
(f) the licensee while practising at any location under Horse Racing Alberta’s jurisdiction is subject to the authority of the *official veterinarian and the *judges/stewards board;
(g) the licensee will not apply for or hold a *trainer’s licence;
(h) any special conditions prescribed by Horse Racing Alberta.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA
The Rules Governing Horse Racing in Alberta are AMENDED as follows:
Chapter 3: General Horse Racing Rules, Part 2 Race Meetings \ Division 2 Entries and Nominations
The following rule is AMENDED to read:
Rule 157 t Limitation on entries
(1) A horse may only be entered in a race if
(a) The horse is not on the starter’s list or the veterinarian list;
(b) The horse is tattooed, or if required, other evidence of identification, and a record of the tattoo, or if required, other evidence, appears on the registration certificate and the tattoo number, or if required, other evidence of identification, is registered with the Thoroughbred Protective Bureau, or other breed registry recognized by Horse Racing Alberta.
(2) A horse may not be entered
(a) in 2 or more races on the same day, at the same race meeting, or
(b) in 2 or more races at different race tracks on the same day.
(3) Horses may start no more than 4 starts within any 56-day (rolling eight-week) window.
(4) Horses beaten by over 12 lengths in 3 consecutive starts are ineligible to race and will be added to the *official veterinarian’s list.
Rule 157 t Limitation on entries previously stated:
(1) A horse may only be entered in a race if
(a) The horse is not on the starter’s list or the veterinarian list;
(b) The horse is tattooed, or if required, other evidence of identification, and a record of the tattoo, or if required, other evidence, appears on the registration certificate and the tattoo number, or if required, other evidence of identification, is registered with the Thoroughbred Protective Bureau, or other breed registry recognized by Horse Racing Alberta.
(2) A horse may not be entered
(a) in 2 or more races on the same day, at the same race meeting, or
(b) in 2 or more races at different race tracks on the same day.
Dated in the City of Edmonton
in the Province of Alberta
this 13th day of April 2026.
Kent Verlik, Chief Executive Officer
HORSE RACING ALBERTA