Ariz. Admin. Code § 19-2-109

Current through Register Vol. 30, No. 50, December 13, 2024

Section R19-2-109 - Jockeys and Apprentice Jockeys

A. In this Chapter, unless the context requires otherwise:

1. A jockey shall pass a physical examination by a physician designated by a permittee. A physical examination is valid for 12 months. A steward may require that a jockey take an additional physical examination if the steward reasonably believes a jockey's physical condition may endanger himself, his mount, or others. A steward may refuse to allow a jockey to ride until the jockey successfully passes another physical examination. A steward or a steward's designee may require that a jockey provide blood or urine samples for analysis upon request under A.R.S. § 5-104(C).

2. Unless excused by the stewards, a jockey engaged to ride in a race shall report to the jockey room at least one hour before post time of the first race in which the jockey is scheduled to ride and, unless excused by the stewards, shall remain in the jockey room between races until all engagements for the day have been fulfilled.

3. A jockey shall wear standard jockey attire in official races.

4. Only a jockey, an attendant, and a racing official are permitted in the jockey room.

5. A jockey is entitled to a mount fee as established by agreement between the jockey and the owner or trainer when the jockey is weighed out by the clerk of scales except when:

a. The jockey refuses to ride a mount without proper cause; and

b. A steward replaces the jockey with a substitute jockey, unless the jockey is being replaced because of an injury received after weighing out and before the start of a race.

6. An owner or trainer may replace a jockey named at the draw by lot or by a steward without payment of a mount fee by notifying a steward or the steward's designee by 9:00 a.m. MST the entry day following the draw.

7. An owner or trainer shall pay a mount fee to a replaced jockey that is equal to the fee paid to the jockey who rides the race unless:

a. The owner or trainer replaces the jockey by notifying a steward or the steward's designee no later than 9:00 a.m. MST on the next business day after the jockey is replaced. If this notice is made, the owner shall pay a losing fee to each jockey the owner replaced in a race. The Director may establish an earlier deadline for jockey changes in consultation with a permittee, steward, jockey, owner, and trainer, or their representatives at the race meet. The Director shall not establish a deadline for jockey changes later than noon of a race day at any race meet with an average daily handle of $100,000.00 or less; or

b. The replaced jockey or jockey's agent waives the fee.

B.Equipment.

1. A steward shall ensure that a bridle used in a race does not exceed two pounds in weight .

2. If a jockey uses a whip in a race, the jockey shall ensure that the whip is at least 1/4 inch in diameter and not more than one pound in weight or 30 inches in length including the popper.

3. When a jockey races without a whip, notice that the jockey is racing without a whip shall be made in the official race program or announced to the general public through effective, usual, and customary means intended and expected to reach the majority of the racing public.

4. A jockey, apprentice jockey, exercise rider, pony person, and any other person shall wear a properly fastened helmet at all times when mounted on a racing surface.

5. A jockey, apprentice jockey, and exercise rider shall wear an industry-approved safety vest at all times when mounted on a racing surface.

C.Weight; weighing.

1. An owner shall deposit a losing mount fee with a permittee before a jockey is weighed out for a race. If an owner fails to comply with this subsection, a steward may declare the owner's horse out of the race.

2. A jockey shall weigh out and weigh in for a race without a whip or bridle.

3. A jockey's weight is measured against the jockey's assigned weight as published in the official race program.

4. A jockey shall not ride in a race if the jockey weighs out more than one pound less than the jockey's assigned weight published in the official race program.

5. A jockey shall report the jockey's weight to the clerk of scales one hour before the time set for the first scheduled race of the race day.

a. A jockey shall not ride in a race if more than two pounds overweight without the consent of the owner or trainer of the horse the jockey is to ride.

b. A jockey shall not ride in a race if more than seven pounds overweight without the consent of a steward.

c. A steward shall not disqualify a horse because of any overweight the horse carries.

d. A permittee shall notify the public of any weight different from that published in the official race program through effective, usual, and customary mechanisms intended and expected to reach the majority of the wagering public.

6. Immediately after pulling up, a jockey shall ride to the place of weighing in, dismount after obtaining permission from the official in charge, and wait to be weighed by the clerk of the scales.

7. A jockey shall not intentionally touch any person or thing other than the jockey's own equipment before weighing in.

a. A jockey shall unsaddle the jockey's own horse, unless the jockey obtains permission from an official in charge.

b. An attendant shall touch a horse only by the horse's bridle unless the attendant obtains permission from an official in charge.

c. A person shall not touch the equipment of a jockey who has returned to the winner's circle to dismount until the jockey has been weighed in unless the person obtains permission from an official in charge.

8. A jockey who is not able to ride to the place of weighing in because of an accident or illness that disables either the jockey or the horse shall walk or be assisted to the scales.

D.Apprentice jockey.

1. Licenses.

a. An applicant for an apprentice jockey license shall submit to the Department a certified copy of the applicant's birth certificate or other satisfactory evidence of date of birth.

b. A steward shall issue an apprentice jockey license if an applicant:

i. Is more than 16 years old and, if less than age 18 years old, a parent or guardian signs the license application assuming full financial responsibility for the applicant;

ii. Is approved by a starter for working a horse out of the gate ;

iii. Successfully demonstrates to a steward the ability to gallop or exercise a horse; and

iv. Has the necessary tack and apparel.

2. Expiration of license; weight allowance.

a. An apprentice jockey license expires when the apprentice jockey can no longer claim the weight allowances under subsection (D)(2)(b). When an apprentice jockey license expires, the apprentice jockey shall surrender the license to the Department. If an apprentice jockey license expires during the term of the current licensing cycle, the Department shall issue a jockey license at no additional cost.

b. An apprentice jockey who has not been licensed previously in any country may claim a weight allowance as follows in all overnight races except handicaps and stakes :

i. Five pounds for one year from the date of the apprentice jockey's fifth winner; or

ii. If the apprentice jockey has not ridden at least 40 winners within one year from the date of the apprentice jockey's fifth winner, five pounds for three years from the date of the apprentice jockey's first winner or until the apprentice jockey has ridden a total of 40 winners, whichever comes first.

c. The calculation of the time for which an apprentice jockey may claim a weight allowance shall not include time:

i. In the armed forces, or

ii. The apprentice jockey is physically incapacitated from performing as a jockey.

d. An apprentice jockey may ride quarter horses under the following conditions:

i. The apprentice jockey does not claim an apprentice jockey weight allowance in the race; and

ii. The Department does not consider a winner in the race for the purpose of computing the expiration of the right of the apprentice jockey to claim a weight allowance.

E.Prohibited acts.

1. A jockey shall not fail or refuse to fulfill an engagement for a race unless:

a. The race or race card is canceled, or

b. A steward excuses the jockey.

2. A jockey shall not own, either in whole or in part, a horse registered for racing at a track where the jockey is riding.

3. A jockey shall not engage in any pari-mutuel wagering transaction except through the owner of and on the horse that the jockey rides.

4. A jockey attendant, jockey valet, or any licensee employed inside a jockey room shall not place a wager for themselves or another person while they are acting under the authority of their license.

5. A jockey shall not ride against a horse trained by the jockey's spouse except as part of an entry.

6. A jockey shall not whip a horse:

a. On the head, flanks, or any part of the horse's body other than the shoulders or hind quarters;

b. During the post parade except when necessary to control the horse;

c. Excessively or brutally causing welts or breaks in the skin;

d. When the horse clearly is out of the race or has obtained its maximum placing; or

e. Persistently even though the horse is showing no response to the whip.

Ariz. Admin. Code § R19-2-109

Adopted effective August 5, 1983 (Supp. 83-4). Amended effective March 20, 1990 (Supp. 90-1). R19-2-109 recodified from R4-27-109 (Supp. 95-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 5 A.A.R. 812, effective February 24, 1999 (Supp. 99-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 10 A.A.R. 717, effective April 3, 2004 (Supp. 04-1). Amended by final rulemaking at 19 A.A.R. 3412, effective November 30, 2013.