PART 1411 JOCKEYS, APPRENTICES, JOCKEY AGENTS, AND VALETS : Sections Listing

TITLE 11: ALCOHOL, HORSE RACING, LOTTERY, AND VIDEO GAMING
SUBTITLE B: HORSE RACING
CHAPTER I: ILLINOIS RACING BOARD
SUBCHAPTER g: RULES AND REGULATIONS OF HORSE RACING (THOROUGHBRED)
PART 1411 JOCKEYS, APPRENTICES, JOCKEY AGENTS, AND VALETS


AUTHORITY: Authorized by Section 9(b) of the Illinois Horse Racing Act of 1975 [230 ILCS 5/9(b)].

SOURCE: Published in Rules and Regulations of Horse Racing (original date not cited in publication); codified at 5 Ill. Reg. 10977; amended at 7 Ill. Reg. 1423, effective January 24, 1983; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 12426, effective July 15, 1993; amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 21852, effective December 3, 1993; amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 2092, effective January 21, 1994; amended at 19 Ill. Reg. 12687, effective September 1, 1995; amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 3226, effective March 4, 1997; amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 5076, effective March 1, 1998; amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 2816, effective February 12, 2010; amended at 41 Ill. Reg. 11572, effective September 1, 2017.

 

Section 1411.5  Colors Worn by Riders

 

A jockey must wear the colors of the owner or owners of the horse he is riding (except by special permission of the stewards, which permission shall be posted on the bulletin Board, together with notice of the colors the jockey shall wear), and the number of the horse is as exhibited after weighing out. When the horse is being warmed up, the same number must be exhibited upon the arm of its rider.

 

Section 1411.10  Jockey Fees (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 7 Ill. Reg. 1423, effective January 24, 1983)

 

Section 1411.20  Paying Fines

 

All fines imposed on jockeys must be paid by the jockeys themselves.

 

Section 1411.30  Jockey Ownership of Horse

 

No jockey shall be the owner of any race horse.

 

Section 1411.40  Under Suspension

 

When a jockey is under suspension for any cause except fraud, he may be permitted to fulfill engagements for the following racing day only, except that when the 48 hour entry policy is in effect, a jockey may be permitted to fulfill engagements for the following two racing days only.

 

Section 1411.50  Betting By Jockey

 

No jockey shall bet on any race except through the owner of and on the horse which he rides, and any jockey who shall be proved to the satisfaction of the stewards to have any interest in any race horse, or to have been engaged in any betting transaction, except as permitted by this rule, or to have received presents from persons other than the owner, shall have his license revoked.

 

Section 1411.60  Record of Jockey Betting

 

All owners so betting for a jockey on any horse shall keep a record thereof, so that at no time will said owners be in a position of failing to remember any such transaction.

 

Section 1411.65  Interrogation by Stewards

 

All owners, trainers, jockeys, employees, agents or other persons in any way connected with said operator may be, at any time, interrogated by the stewards in reference to the making or placing of any bets anywhere on any race run at said course.

 

Section 1411.70  Racing Against Employer's Starter

 

A jockey shall not ride in any race against a starter of his contract employer unless his mount and his contract employer's starter are both in the hands of the same trainer.

 

Section 1411.72  Spouses Riding Against Each Other (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 19 Ill. Reg. 12687, effective September 1, 1995)

 

Section 1411.75  Owner or Trainer As Spouse

 

Jockeys married to owners or trainers may not ride against the spouses's horse, whether or not the spouse holds any ownership interest in said horse.

 

Section 1411.78  Racing Against Agent's Horse

 

A jockey shall not ride in any race against a horse owned and/or trained by his agent.

 

Section 1411.80  Priority of Retainers

 

Employers retaining the same jockey have precedence according to priority of the retainers as specified in the contracts.

 

Section 1411.90  Conflicting Claims on Jockeys

 

Conflicting claims for the services of a jockey shall be decided by the stewards.

 

Section 1411.100  Riding Crops and Other Equipment

 

a)         Riding Crops

All riding crops are subject to inspection and approval by the Stewards and the Clerk of Scales.

 

1)         Riding crops shall have a shaft and a flap and will be allowed in flat racing, including training, only as follows:

 

A)        Maximum weight of eight ounces;

 

B)        Maximum length, including flap, of 30 inches;

 

C)        Minimum diameter of the shaft of one-half inch; and

 

D)        Smooth shaft contact area, with no protrusions or raised surface, covered by shock absorbing material that gives a compression factor of at least one millimeter throughout its circumference.

 

2)         The flap is the only allowable attachment to the shaft and must meet the following specifications:

 

A)        Length beyond the end of the shaft − maximum of one inch;

 

B)        Width − a minimum of 0.8 inch and a maximum of 1.6 inches;

 

C)        No reinforcements or additions beyond the end of the shaft;

 

D)        No binding within seven inches of the end of the shaft; and

 

E)        Shock absorbing characteristics similar to those required by subsection (a)(1)(D).

 

3)         Although the use of a riding crop is not required, any jockey who uses a riding crop during a race shall do so only in a manner consistent with exerting his or her best efforts to win.

 

4)         In all races in which a jockey will ride without a riding crop, an announcement of that fact shall be made over the public address system.

 

5)         Riding crops shall not be used on two year old horses before April 1 of each year.

 

6)         The riding crop shall only be used for safety, correction and encouragement.

 

7)         All riders shall comply with the following when using a riding crop:

 

A)        Showing the horse the riding crop and giving it time to respond before striking the horse;

 

B)        After using the riding crop, giving the horse a chance to respond before using it again; and

 

C)        Using the riding crop in rhythm with the horse's stride.

 

8)         Prohibited use of the riding crop includes, but is not limited to, striking a horse:

 

A)        on the head, flanks or any other part of its body other than the shoulders or hindquarters, except when necessary to control a horse;

 

B)        during the post parade or after the finish of the race, except when necessary to control the horse;

 

C)        excessively or brutally causing welts or breaks in the skin;

 

D)        when the horse is clearly out of the race or has obtained its maximum placing;

 

E)        persistently, even though the horse is showing no response under the riding crop; or

 

F)         striking another rider or horse.

 

9)         After the race, horses will be subject to inspection by a racing official or veterinarian looking for cuts, welts or bruises in the skin. Any adverse findings shall be reported to the Stewards.

 

b)         Other Equipment

 

1)         No bridle shall exceed two pounds.

 

2)         A horse's tongue may be tied down with clean bandages, gauze or a tongue strap.

 

3)         No licensee may add blinkers to a horse's equipment or discontinue their use without the prior approval of the Starter.

 

4)         No electrical or mechanical device or other expedient designed to increase or retard the speed of a horse, other than the riding crop approved by the Stewards, shall be possessed by anyone, or applied by anyone, to the horse at any time on the grounds of the association during the meeting, whether in a race or otherwise.

 

c)         The giving of instructions by any licensee that, if obeyed, would lead to a violation of this Section may result in disciplinary action being taken against the licensee who gave the instructions, as well as the person who took, or failed to take, the action.

 

(Source:  Amended at 34 Ill. Reg. 2816, effective February 12, 2010)

 

Section 1411.110  Illegal Whipping (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 34 Ill. Reg. 2816, effective February 12, 2010)

 

Section 1411.120  Leaving Operating Track (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 41 Ill. Reg. 11572, effective September 1, 2017)

 

Section 1411.130  Jockey Rules Apply to Apprentices

 

All apprentice applicants shall be bound by all of the rules for jockeys, except insofar as said rules may be in conflict with the specific regulations for apprentices.

 

Section 1411.140  Apprentice Rule

 

a)         An applicant for an apprentice jockey license:

 

1)         shall:

 

A)        be at least 16 years old or, if under age with the written consent of his/her parents or legal guardian;

 

B)        not have been previously licensed as a jockey;

 

C)        be found physically able to ride in competitive horse races by a licensed physician designated by the stewards; and

 

D)        have served with a racing stable in some licensed capacity for at least one year; or

 

2)         shall have an apprentice certificate issued by another racing jurisdiction or a valid contract, found acceptable by the Board under the standards established in this subsection (a)(2), with a trainer or owner to serve as an apprentice jockey for at least three and no more than five years.

 

A)        All owners or trainers with an apprentice jockey under contract shall be subject to investigation as to character, ability, facilities, and financial responsibility; and shall, at the time of entering into the contract, be the legal owner or trainer of at least three horses eligible to race.

 

B)        Contracts for apprentice jockeys shall require the apprentice to be at least 16 years old or, if under age, to have the written consent of his/her parents or legal guardian, and shall provide for fair remuneration, adequate medical attention and suitable board and lodging for the apprentice.

 

C)        All apprentice contracts described in this Part shall be filed with the Board within 30 days after execution thereof or upon filing application for license, whichever occurs first.

 

D)        Any amendments to the contract must be in writing, signed by each of the parties, with copies delivered to each of the parties and to the Board.

 

E)        Any owner or trainer who fails to file such contract with and obtain approval of the Board may be subject to disciplinary action by the Board.

 

F)         The Board, in its discretion, may issue an apprentice certificate indicating each winner ridden, in the event an apprentice contract is terminated.

 

G)        The stewards, in their discretion, may permit an apprentice jockey who has been issued a certificate to contract with a licensed owner or trainer for the remainder of a terminated contract.

 

b)         An apprentice jockey may claim the following weight allowances in all overnight races except stakes and handicaps:

 

1)         Ten pound allowance beginning with the first mount and continuing until the apprentice has ridden five winners.

 

2)         A seven pound allowance until the apprentice has ridden an additional 35 winners.

 

3)         If an apprentice has ridden a total of 40 winners prior to the end of a period of one year from the date of riding his/her fifth winner, he/she shall have an allowance of five pounds until one year from the date of the fifth winning mount.

 

4)         If, after one year from the date of the fifth winning mount, the apprentice jockey has not ridden 40 winners, the applicable weight allowances shall continue for one more year from the date of the fifth winning mount, or until the 40th winner, whichever comes first.  In no event shall a weight allowance be claimed for more than two years from the date of the fifth winning mount, unless an extension has been granted pursuant to subsection (e) of this Section.

 

5)         A contracted apprentice may claim an allowance of three pounds for an additional one year when riding horses owned or training by the original contract employer.

 

c)         The stewards may extend the weight allowance of an apprentice jockey when, in their discretion, an apprentice jockey is unable to continue riding due to:

 

1)         Physical disablement or illness,

 

2)         Military service,

 

3)         Attendance in an institution of secondary or higher education,

 

4)         Restriction on racing, or

 

5)         Other valid reasons.

 

d)         An apprentice jockey may qualify for an extension if he/she has been unable to ride for a period of not less than seven consecutive days during the period in which the apprentice was entitled to an apprentice weight allowance. Under exceptional circumstances, total days lost collectively will be given consideration.

 

e)         The stewards may grant an extension to an eligible apprentice only after the apprentice has produced, on the approved form, documentation verifying time lost was a result of a qualifying event as defined in subsection (c) of this Section.

 

f)         An apprentice may petition one of the racing jurisdictions in which he/she is licensed and riding for an extension of time for claiming apprentice weight allowances, and the apprentice shall be bound by the decision of the jurisdiction so petitioned.

 

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 5076, effective March 1, 1998)

 

Section 1411.150  Change of Agent

 

A jockey or apprentice must continue with his jockey agent until notifying the stewards of change of agent.

 

(Source:  Amended at 17 Ill. Reg. 21852, effective December 3, 1993)

 

Section 1411.160  Rough or Careless Riding

 

At the discretion of the stewards, a jockey guilty of rough or careless riding, as described at 11 Ill. Adm. Code 1416.5, shall be subject to a suspension of not less than 3 days and/or a fine. The criteria for determining fines and/or suspensions shall include, but not be limited to, what action was taken by the violator to avoid the violation, whether the violator has been found guilty of a rough or careless riding violation in this or any other racing jurisdiction, and the purse of the race.

 

(Source:  Amended at 21 Ill. Reg. 3226, effective March 4, 1997)

 

Section 1411.170  Yearly Examination

 

All jockeys must pass a physical examination once a year, before the commencement of a meeting, by a doctor designated by the Board. The stewards may or may not allow any jockey to ride until he successfully passes such examination.

 

Section 1411.180  Examination Because of Illness

 

Injured jockeys, or jockeys cancelling engagements because of illness must undergo a physical examination before resuming race riding.

 

Section 1411.190  Jockey's Valet

 

Any jockey's valet who shall make a bet for himself or place for another a bet upon a race shall be suspended and his case referred to the Board for appropriate action.

 

Section 1411.195  Valet's Fees (Repealed)

 

(Source:  Repealed at 7 Ill. Reg. 1423, effective January 24, 1983)

 

Section 1411.200  Record of Jockey Engagements by Agent

 

Each jockey agent shall keep, on a form provided by the operator, a record by races of all engagements made by him of the riders he is representing. This record must be kept up to date and held ready at all times for inspection by the stewards. If any jockey agent gives up the making of engagements for any rider, he shall immediately notify the stewards, and he shall also turn over to the stewards a list of any unfulfilled engagements he may have made for that rider. A jockey agent may not drop a rider without notifying the Board of Stewards in writing. All rival claims for the services of a rider will be adjudged by the stewards.

 

Section 1411.210  Falsifying Engagement Records

 

Any agent who falsified his record may be, in the discretion of the stewards, suspended, and they may refer his case to the Board for further action and the Board may revoke the license of any agent who falsifies his record. Jockey agents will be called upon to explain rival claims for any mount or for any rider and inability to satisfy the stewards that the rival claim arose through an honest and bona fide error shall be considered a falsification of records.

 

Section 1411.220  Agent Barred from Paddock and Track

 

Except by special permission of the stewards, jockey agents shall not be permitted within the saddling enclosure during the period of racing hours; nor shall said agents be allowed on the race track proper or in the unsaddling enclosure or winners' circle at the conclusion of any race run.

 

Section 1411.230  Engagements Made Through Agent

 

Within the period in which an agent represents a jockey or apprentice, such jockey or apprentice shall make riding engagements or commitments only through said agent, and engagements shall be fulfilled as made, unless excused by the stewards.

 

Section 1411.240  Safety Equipment

 

a)         All jockeys and stable employees when exercising horses shall wear a safety helmet approved by the stewards. The criteria for approving helmets shall be based on the construction, durability, sturdiness and safety of the helmet.  This rule shall be enforced by all trainers. No change shall be made in any helmet without the approval of the stewards.

 

b)         No jockey or apprentice jockey shall be permitted to ride in any race unless he or she wears a safety vest with a shock absorption protection rating of at least five (5), as certified by the British Equestrian Trade Association. A safety vest shall weigh no more than two pounds and shall not be included in a jockey's or apprentice jockey's weight when weighing out to race.

 

(Source:  Amended at 18 Ill. Reg. 2092, effective January 21, 1994)

 

Section 1411.250  Designated Races

 

a)         If a jockey is suspended ten days or less for a riding infraction not involving rough and/or extreme careless riding, said jockey may be permitted at the discretion of the stewards to fulfill engagements in designated stakes races so long as he or she is named on the said horse at the time of entry. The suspension will be extended one day for each date the jockey rides in such a race.

 

b)         For the purpose of this rule, the stewards shall determine and post a list of designated races at the beginning of each meeting.  If the stewards do not post such a listing, all stakes races shall be designated.

 

c)         No jockey subject to a suspension is entitled to the privilege extended in subsection (a) above unless, at the time of the suspension, he notifies the stewards of his engagement in a stakes race, designated by the stewards in subsection (b) above.

 

(Source:  Added at 17 Ill. Reg. 12426, effective July 15, 1993)