W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-38

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

Section 178-1-38 - Transfer of Claimed Horses

38.1. Upon a successful claim, the stewards shall issue an authorization of transfer of the horse from the original owner to the claimant. Copies of the transfer authorization shall be forwarded to and maintained by the stewards and the association's racing secretary. Upon notification by the stewards, the horsemen's bookkeeper shall immediately debit the claimant's account for the claiming price, applicable taxes and transfer fees.

38.2. A person shall not refuse to deliver a properly claimed horse to the successful claimant. If a person refuses to deliver a properly claimed horse, the stewards may prevent the horse claimed from racing, and may prevent all other horses owned or trained by that person from racing, until delivery is made.

38.3. Transfer of possession of a claimed horse shall take place immediately after the race has been run by the delivery of the horse to the claimant in the paddock, unless otherwise directed by the stewards. However, if the horse is required to be taken to the test barn for post-race testing, the original trainer or his/her designee shall maintain physical custody of the claimed horse; shall observe the testing procedure; shall sign the official form as witness to the taking of the specimen; and, shall, upon the release of the horse by the Racing Commission veterinarian or his or her designee, transfer possession of the claimed horse to the claimant. The successful claimant or his or her designee may also accompany the horse to the test barn for post-race testing.

38.4. When a horse is claimed out of a claiming race, the horse's engagements are transferred, with the horse, to the claimant.

38.5. Any horse claimed shall not be sold or transferred, wholly or in part thereof, to anyone for 30 days except in another claiming race. The horse shall not remain in the same barn or under the control or management of its former owner or trainer for 30 days, unless reclaimed, nor shall it race outside of the state of West Virginia for a period of 60 days, except for stakes races and special events, or unless special permission is granted by the stewards. In the absence of live racing in the State for a period exceeding seven (7) days, the association may suspend the 60 day period until live racing resumes.

38.6. The previous trainer of a claimed horse shall, within 48 hours after a race is made official, provide to the new owner an accurate record of all corticosteroid joint injections that were administered to the horse within 30 days before the race.

W. Va. Code R. § 178-1-38