Racing rules and regs

[Horny Harry]

Conduct of Racing
Scratches
In races conducted by the JRA, scratches based on the opinion of the owner or trainer, for reasons of weather, or change in track conditions are not permitted on or after the deadline for declarations.
Scratches are only possible after receiving the approval of the stewards of the meeting through the submission of a document (the person-in-charge will provide assistance in drawing up the necessary document), certifying to any accident or disease of the horse.
Lead Ponies
Lead ponies are not used and cannot be brought into Japan. However, the
groom can be permitted to accompany the horse to the starting point with the
prior approval of the starter. JRA does not have gate crews situated at the
starting gate stall in order to keep the horse in check. It is possible for the
groom to calm the horse from outside of the stall front doors.
Matters to Be Noted in Relation to Jockeys
A jockey must ride in a race carrying the officially announced weight. The weight of 0.5 kg shall be subtracted from the weight concerned as the weight of the safety vest. For example, if the announced weight is 57 kg, the jockey has to ride the horse at the weight of 57.5 kg.
No one under the 15 years of age is permitted to ride as a jockey in races.
A whip longer than 77 cm is prohibited from using in races.
Other Pertinent Information
Prior to running in races conducted by the JRA, all horses must undergo starting gate training witnessed by starters of JRA. This is obligatory.
In case interference which affects the result of the race occurs during races, the offending horse is disqualified and demoted after the offended horse, depending on the finishing order. The jockey riding the offending horse shall be suspended for a set number of race days.
Prize money and prizes are distributed according to the final placing of the horse.
When a horse bleeds in a race, the horse is suspended from racing for a month for the first offence.
Any horse that has been used for breeding purpose is ineligible for the races held in the jurisdiction of JRA.
Licensing
Visiting trainers and jockeys are required to attend a meeting with the JRA stewards for the issuance of their license. The date and time will be provided upon his/her arrival. However, this might be exempted for persons who have previously received a JRA license.
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Morning Trackwork at Tokyo
Racecourse (open to public)
RACE DAY SCHEDULE
Stables
(Horses must report to saddling enclosure 70 minutes prior to the post time.)
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Saddling Enclosure
(Horse identification is conducted. Horse weight, horseshoes, saddle equipment, sickness, and injuries are checked. After being saddled, horses are taken to the parade ring 40 minutes before post time
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Weighing Room
(Jockeys have to weigh out 70 minutes before post time. After the weighing out, the saddle and its number cloth must be brought to the saddling enclosure by the jockey, the trainer or stable staff designated by the trainer.)
Paddock
(Horses leave from here for the course 20 minutes before post time. All jockeys have to mount the horse here
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Confirmation of Placings
(Jockeys placed 1st through 7th must weigh in as soon as possible after the race.)
Collection of Test Samples
(The first three placed horses, and horses designated by the stewards of the meeting, must report to the sample collecting enclosure.)
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Income Tax and Corporation Tax
Tax for the money and prizes earned in Japan is as follows:
Owner
Owners are not obliged to pay tax in Japan. However, an owner who holds permanent establishment (i.e., office) in Japan must pay the tax as a self-assessment.
Trainer
Trainers are not obliged to pay tax in Japan.
Jockey, Exercise Rider and Groom
Twenty (20) per cent tax is levied on money and prizes earned by the individuals at the source of income.
Consumption Tax
Any person who had taxable earnings exceeding JPY30 million in Japan during 1999 is obliged to pay by self-assessment a consumption tax of 5% on the money and prizes of 2001.
Note:
It is each individual's personal responsibility to file tax as appropriate to their status.
Owner Registration Tax
During owner registration, JPY90,000 (U.S.$750) must be paid to the Japanese Government in accordance with the Registration and License Tax Act. This amount must be remitted to the bank account designated by JRA. This information will be directly provided to the owner.
Along with the payment for ownership application and registration of racing colors (please refer to page of this website), the payment of this owner registration tax is necessary only once after January 1, 1999.
All prize money will be wholly awarded to the single nominated owner, who is registered with the JRA, for participating horses.
Any split in prize money that reflects multiple ownership is a matter of private contract or agreement between those owners.
JRA also does not deduct any percentages for trainer, jockey and stable staff from prize money.
Feed and Bedding
As a general rule Feed, feed additives and bedding are provided by JRA. Feed, feed additives and bedding other than those provided by the JRA are discouraged while in Japan. Feed and bedding used during airplane travel must be disposed of upon arrival at the airport in Japan. JRA will keep other feed, etc., brought into the country.
The principal feeds such as oats and hay are carefully selected in quality and provided by the JRA. Timothy, lucerne, oats (U.S.A., U.S.A. crimped, Australian, Australia crimped, French, naked), barley (crimped), bran, linseed, corn (cracked), sweet food, sunflower seed, soybean and pellets are available.
Other feeds such as carrots, apples, salt, cube sugar, corn oil, garlic, mineral rock salt, honey, fructose, molasses and nutrient additives (i.e., calcium, vitamins) are also available.
The list of these feeds is available at each of the JRA Representative offices.
Bedding approved for use in Japan is wheat straw, wood shavings and paper.
Water
Both the Shiroi quarantine center and the Tokyo Racecourse are furnished with complete water and sewerage service. The water from the waterworks is potable water which more than satisfies the standards prescribed by law.
The quality of water is soft compared to North American and European countries.
According to the Government officials who tested the quality, drinking water in Japan ranks top-class in the world.
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Medication and Drugs Control Regulation
In the Rules of Racing of JRA, the following summary of the regulations is prescribed to strictly prohibit the racing of horses under the influence of drugs or medication.
No horse shall be declared to start which is under the influence of any drug or medication that can temporarily stimulate or depress race performance.
Drugs or medication, which temporarily stimulate or depress race performance, must not be administered to a horse already declared to run.
The trainer must institute appropriate measures in order to prevent violation of the regulations regarding horses under his/her care.
Anabolic steroids are considered a prohibited substance under the Rules of Racing of the JRA.
Trainers are advised that anabolic steroids may be detected for approximately two months and they will be held responsible for ensuring that their horses are free of anabolic steroids prior to departure for Japan.
JRA may administer a Physico-chemical test to confirm that a participating horse is free of anabolic steroids after arriving in Japan.
Affiliated Rules and Regulations - Refer to the Horse Racing Law Article 31, Rules of Racing 79, 111-2, 111-3
Veterinary Instructions regarding Control of Drug Administration
In case a prohibited drug or medication is administered, the horse concerned cannot be declared for races for a period of 9 days from the day the drug or medication concerned is administered.
Unless approved by the veterinary officer, no treatment can be given to a horse on and after the date of declaration.
Prior consultation with the veterinary officer is necessary in case a drug or medication is administered to a horse scheduled to run, or feed additives other than those provided by JRA are to be given.
No one except the veterinary officers of JRA or those who have received the approval from JRA, can diagnose or give treatment to a horse.
Medication and Drugs Brought into Japan
The JRA prohibits the use on the JRA premises of medication and drugs brought into Japan by the connections of the horse. This includes soap, shampoo, skin protection cream and other substances used for the horse's care. Therefore, such medication and drugs must be kept in JRA's custody until after the race.
A variety of supplies such as hot and cold compress medications (poultice), massage medication, shampoo, and nutrient additives, that are comparatively in wide use in foreign countries, are available. The list of these supplies is available at each JRA Representative office.
Physico-Chemical Test
Physico-chemical tests are conducted on horses who finish first through third in the race and any horses designated by the stewards of the meeting under the Rules of Racing of the JRA. The horses concerned must submit to sample collecting after the race.
Where the presence of prohibited drugs or medication is detected, it is considered as a violation of the drugs and medication control regulations and the horse concerned will be suspended from running in a race for a fixed period and the connections of the horse concerned are not entitled to receive any commendations, prizes, or prize money.
The quarantine stables on entry into Japan are located in an area of the Horse Racing School premises.
The facility accommodates a dirt training track of 1,400 meters in circumference and 17 meters in width.
The normal necessary feed and fodder, bedding straw, and stable supplies are available from JRA. (In regards to feed, refer to Page.)
Meals for stable personnel are provided in the quarantine center and Tokyo Racecourse for the full duration of their stay. There is no kitchen in the rooms, but basic electrical appliances are available.
The training during the quarantine period will be conducted separately by groups that have arrived on the same flight. The actual training time will be decided upon the arrival of the horses.
Quarantine Center
TEL: +81-47-491-0333
FAX: +81-47-491-3601
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Selection Method and Other Relevant Details
Selection Method of Foreign Invited Horses
Candidate horses for the Japan Cup and Japan Cup Dirt are assessed on their relative merits by the senior handicappers in each region concerned. The JRA, having been advised of the horses by the Panel of handicappers, have the final authority to determine the selected horses and reserves. Upon making this final selection, the JRA will not only take into account the relative merits of each horse, but will seek to spread continental representation to include the main racing countries of the Americas, Europe, Oceania and Asia. Other essential factors will be the confirmation of intention to participate and the ability of the horse to meet the schedule of timing necessary for pre-race quarantine regulations.
In the event the horses selected by the JRA decline the invitation, or where an invited horse is unable to participate at the last moment, the JRA reserves the right to invite as a replacement an overseas reserved horse which can complete the necessary formalities and logistics in time to participate in the Japan Cups.
When you register your horse in the preliminary nomination for both races, you are required to indicate on the application form which race is your first choice.
National Status of Horse
A horse's national status shall be decided by the JRA judged on the country in which the trainer is based and where the horse is actually trained.

[Horny Harry]

Type of Shoes
Please note that shoes for racing must be 9 millimeters or less in thickness, 22 millimeters or less in width and 125 grams or less in weight. JRA will check whether the shoes which are brought are permissible or not, after coming to Japan.
The trainer is responsible for ensuring that his horse is shod in accordance with the requirements of this instruction.
The following shoes are not permitted during a race:
Shoes whose calk is higher than 2 millimeters (2 millimeters is permitted) from the surface that touches the ground are not permitted. Shoes whose calk on one end is sharp are not permitted.
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TOE GRABS
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RIM SHOES
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BLOCKS AND STICKER HEELS
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BENT SHOES
If there is a difference in thickness between the inner line and the outer line which are divided by the center groove, and whose surface touches the ground unevenly, the difference must be 3 millimeters or less.
Shoes that may pose a danger to other horses such as those with protruding object(s) attached to the bottom of the shoe, typically crampons and notches.
Shoes whose surface touches the ground unevenly around the circle, and are not on the same arc, are not permitted.
Nails and Nailing
A nail with a sharp head must not be used for shoeing. Nail heads must not protrude more than necessary (protrusion must be 2 millimeters or less).

[imaufo]

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by Toru Sugimoto

Assistant General Manager Licensing and Registration Dept. Japan Racing Association

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Outline (Basic Principle)


The JRA's system of horseowner registration is governed by the Horseracing Law. Its finer details are stipulated in the Enforcement Regulations of the Horseracing Law and the Horseracing Enforcement Provisions of the Japan Racing Association, among others.

The basic principle of the system is to prevent horse ownership by anyone who could hinder the impartial and smooth operation of horseracing.

As such, the JRA refuses registration to anyone who has served a prison sentence, anyone who has been fined for violations of the Horseracing Law or other laws related to public gambling, anyone whose involvement in horseracing has been prohibited or suspended, trainers, jockeys, assistant trainers, apprentice jockeys, stable staff, JRA officers and officials, wards of lawful age, persons placed under curatorship, unreinstated bankrupts, and members of criminal organizations.

As well as these, registration is also refused to anyone whose income and assets are below a certain level. This is based on the principle that anyone who is judged to have difficulty in continuously remunerating trainers should also be barred from registration.

To ensure that the process of screening for horseowner registration has all due partiality and neutrality, the JRA also refuses registration to anyone who fails to pass examination by two screening bodies, namely the Horseowner Registration Screening Committee and the Horseracing Administration and Adjudication Council.

* Horseowner Registration Screening Committee: Conducts screening for horseowner registration under consultation from the President of the JRA. Consists of 15 members, including academic and professional experts as well as horse owners.

*Horseracing Administration and Adjudication Council: Presents opinions on the registration and removal of horse owners, licenses and disqualifications of trainers and jockeys, and so on. Consists of 7 members appointed by the Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

In case that non-residents of Japan are registered as horse owners for JRA's international exchange races (24 races this year), their registration becomes effective for future JRA's international exchange races to be held in the subsequent years. However, the validity of their registration expires unless they are also validly registered as horse owners in their own countries during the periods of JRA's international exchange races in which they participate. As for other races than JRA's international exchange races, the horse owner registration by non-residents is not permitted because it would be difficult to carry out JRA's unique and rigorous examination and screening outlined above.


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The 10th Japan Cup Owners' Summit held on November 28, 2003 at Imperial Hotel organized by Japan Owners' Association



Horseowner Categories

There are three categories of horse owners - individual, corporate and syndicated.

The system of "syndicated owners" was created in 2002. It permits "syndicates" as defined in the Civil Code (i.e. those without corporate status) to be registered as horse owners on the basis of a Syndicate Agreement, provided they consist of no fewer than 3 and no more than 10 individuals.

Under the Civil Code, the assets of a syndicate (in the case of syndicated owners, these would mainly be racehorses) are defined as the joint property of the syndicate's members. Therefore, individual members are not able to own racehorses independently. Nevertheless, this system makes it

possible for individuals to be involved in racehorse ownership as members of a syndicate, even though they might not have the financial wherewithal to do so as individuals. As such, it has had the effect of expanding the population of horse owners. Shared ownership of racehorses by registered owners is limited to a maximum of 10 persons, regardless of whether individual or corporate owners.

Due to its legal status, whereby normally prohibited gambling activity is permitted as an exception to the criminal law, Japanese horseracing must be seen to be particularly impartial in its operation. Therefore, unlike European and North American countries where leasing and other activity is permitted in racehorse registration, the ownership rights to racehorses in Japan must be held by registered horse owners.

The special characteristic of the Kurabu-Houjin system is that it allows ordinary citizens (non-registered owners) to enjoy the thrill of racehorse ownership (though not actual ownership) as part of their enjoyment of horseracing, yet without falling under the description of "nominal transfer" of ownership (whereby a person not registered as a horseowner owns a racehorse and places it in races). This would be prohibited in Japanese horseracing, where registration of racehorses based on ownership rights is a prerequisite.



Kurabu-Houjin

A "Kurabu-Houjin" (profit-making venture for horse ownership) is one type of corporate owner. The JRA is thought to be the only organization in the world that operates such a system.

This system in itself is nothing new, as it arose naturally before the 1970s. Indeed, it has occasionally caused social problems due to friction between members, and so on. Nevertheless, the JRA has been at pains to let the system develop healthily, while maintaining a careful watch on its activities. It does so in the expectation that this will lead to the long-term promotion of horseracing, by expanding interest in racehorses for a broader section of the population.

At present, Kurabu-Houjins are regulated under the Law Regarding Regulation of Business Concerning Commodities Investment, which is designed to protect investors. In order to operate, therefore, they require the permission of the competent ministries specified in the Law (the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and the Financial Services Agency).

Moreover, the activities of all Kurabu-Houjins are under the strict management of the competent ministries and the JRA, to protect the rights of investors and ensure the impartiality of horseracing.

The system works as follows.

(1) A corporation called an "Aibakai" (a profitmaking venture that provides horses to Kurabu-Houjins as "investment in kind") canvasses investment from the general public for a horse under its ownership.

(2) The horse subject to the investment is transferred to a Kurabu-Houjin as an investment in kind.

(3) The Kurabu- Houjin registers the horse with the JRA as a racehorse and enters it in races. And finally, (4) the Kurabu-Houjin deducts fixed expenses from the prize money won by the horse, and pays the remainder to the Aibakai, which pays this amount to the investors as a dividend. The investors are sometimes called "part horseowners". However, since the investment in (1) above and the investment in kind in (2) above are both conducted according to anonymous association agreements as stipulated in the Commercial Code, their legal position is quite clear.

That is, they have no ownership rights to horses or racehorses (nor are they JRA registered horseowners), but merely have the right to receive dividends from the profit gained from the investment (racehorses).

Registered Numbers, etc.

As of January 1st, 2004, there were a total of 2,434 JRA registered horseowners, consisting of 2,074 individual owners, 333 corporate owners (including 19 Kurabu-Houjins), and 27 syndicated owners.

The trend in recent years has been for around 80 new registrations but around 120 cancellations every year. Thus, the overall number of registrations is continuing to fall year by year.

As of January 1st, 2004, there were about 7,800 registered racehorses in the JRA. In other words, each owner owns an average of 3.2 horses. There were 19 Kurabu- Houjins owning 1,275 horses, and these numbers are tending to increase year by year.

As for the professions of registered horseowners, 16.9% are in wholesale or retail trades, 15.4% in services, 14.8% in light horse breeding, 13.3% in manufacturing, 9.9% in construction and 8.1% in real estate. Most of them are operators of small/medium businesses, or doctors, attorneys and other professionals. Hardly any of them occupy upper management posts in large corporations.

The main reasons for this are thought to be that (1) horseracing itself has a strong image of "gambling", (2) the financial risk is great, and (3) it is difficult for amateurs to be involved in purchasing horses and remunerating trainers.

(* The numbers of racehorses and horseowners do not include those registered for international exchange races.)

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[imaufo]

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The JRA Policy and Rationale on Starting


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by Dr. Sanshiro Torii, D.V.M.

General Manager, JAIR Former Position: Starter of JRA


This year marks half a century since the JRA was founded. It will also see the 24th Japan Cup since its inauguration in 1981.

Top horses from all over the world gather for the Japan Cup, but there are different rules of racing applied among countries. While bridging this gap has been very difficult, it has also been a very useful experience for the JRA in its bid for globalization. Many differences have been found in the policy on "starting" , in particular, due to the various circumstances of different countries.

Now that globalization is in progress and there is an increase in international races and competition from foreign jockeys, I would here like to review the JRA's position on "starting".

In its race starting operations, the JRA places priority on "smoothly achieving a valid start". Our staff in charge of starting carry out the following operations to achieve this objective.



1 Examination of starting training

A jockey's duties after mounting begin with passing his horse in front of the stewards' box, guiding the horse into the predetermined stall in the starting gate, starting the race correctly and helping the horse to achieve its maximum potential. Jockeys at the starting gate are expected, in principle, not only to neck-rein the horse to the stall all alone but also to take responsibility for the horse to stand still and start off. This point seems to be very different from the situation in other countries.


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Dr. Sanshiro Torii, having his 12 year career as a JRA starter.



The JRA usually holds 12 races in one day. When races are held at three different racecourses, e.g. at Fukushima, Tokyo, and Kyoto, there is a 5 minute interval between the start of each race held at the racecourses during the day. Thus, if the 1st race at Fukushima starts at 9:55 a.m., the .1st race at Tokyo will start at 10:00 a.m., and the 1st race at Kyoto will start at 10:05 a.m. As such, we need to ensure that there is no delay in the post time, and we therefore have to ensure smooth starting. Consequently, starting examination is an important requirement.

For these reasons, the JRA subjects all horses running in races to a "starting examination", in order to "smoothly achieve a valid start".

There are three points to check at the start. First, when entering the stalls, the horses are required to enter the stalls willingly with guidance from their jockeys. Secondly, for the standstill, horses should be on the bit in the stalls, be sufficiently relaxed, and achieve good standstill with correct weight on all four limbs. Thirdly, for starting off, they need to adopt the starting posture at the moment the signal is given, and be able to go and accelerate smoothly on the bit, without veering to either side. Only horses that pass this examination of starting training may enter races.

The same is true for horses entering the Japan Cup and other international races.


2 Race meeting operations

Starters are in charge of operations from the entry of runners onto the course until the completion of the valid starting signal (removal of the starting gate). During that time, they maintain close communication with other judges to ensure that the race is conducted fairly.

The composition and work allocation of agents involved in starting are as follows.


Starters: 3 persons.

White flag:

1 person. Positioned 200 meters ahead of the starting line, his job is to tell the jockeys to start the race afresh, when necessary, by waving a white flag from side to side.
Yellow flag:

1 person. His job is to indicate to the timing staff, by lowering a yellow flag, that the horses have passed the timing start point following the starting signal.
Horse attendants:

10 persons. These attend fallen horses, accidents on breaking through, etc., gathering of horses at the starting point, adjustment of horse fittings, entry into starting gate stalls, handling of unruly horses, etc.
Japan Starting System Co.:

20 persons. These are responsible for maintenance and management, transportation, installation, operation, and removal of starting gates, etc. They also assume the work of horse attendants, yellow flag staff, vehicle staff, etc.
Others:

5 persons. They take care of racing accident emergency aid staff, first aid staff for people, farriers, telephone staff, etc.


A total of 40 staff are employed, under overall control from the starters.

Starters have authorization to permit the followings:


To give instructions and permission to jockeys to neck-rein the horses to the stalls or dismount them after entering the course.

To confirm the horses, jockeys, horse numbers, horse fittings, and stall sequence, and also confirming the installation, functioning, and removal of the starting gate at the starting point, etc.

To determine the sequence of entry into the stalls. In principle, start with priority-entry horses (horses requiring care on entry into the stalls), followed by odd-numbered horses and finally even-numbered horses. In principle, enter the horse in the outermost stall last of all. The starters are able to designate equipment such as whip, mask, and rope whenever needed to achieve entry into the stalls as quickly as possible.

To remove a horse from a race in the following situations:

When the horse is unable to start due to accident or illness.

When the horse delays starting due to being agitated or other markedly unruly behavior, or when it could endanger other horses.

In other cases when necessary to ensure a fair start.

To instruct the horse to enter the outmost stall next to the full stalls in the following situations: In such a case, starters may assign a person to aid the horse's standstill.

When other horses could be endangered or disadvantaged.

When a particular stall in the starting gate has been rendered unusable due to start-off collisions by the horse, etc.

To order the start afresh when the start has not been recognized as valid.

To notify the stewards when a jockey does any of the following:

Attempting to gain a starting advantage by setting off or other actions before receiving the starting signal, or delaying the start.

Starting too slowly.

Failing to start even after receiving the starting signal.

To record the starting condition of each horse for each race. In particular, starters must notify to the stewards the horses showing poor entry into the stalls, poor standstill, poor starting, and other unruly behavior. Such unruly horses are ordered by the stewards on starters' advice, to take the examination again for starting training, and those that fail the examination may not take part in the race.

When disciplining jockeys in connection with starting, the stewards of JRA first consider the relationship between the horse's natural behavior and the jockey's way of controlling the horse, to elucidate the cause of the problem. Jockeys are also disciplined, in particular, in cases such as frontal or lower body accidents caused by premature starts or ducking under the gate, problems at times closer to the starting signal, such as delayed opening of the gates due to premature starts, obstruction to a smooth starting signal due to ducking or other reasons, adversely impacting other horses, etc.

To recap, the JRA always conducts starting examinations, as well as checking and correcting unruly horses, with a view to "smoothly achieving a valid start" . Starting training is indispensable to this end, and is an important element in implementing fair racing.

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Shows guiding horses into the stalls in the standing gate.

Let me now discuss the importance and functions of this starting training.

On the day of a race, the horses that assemble at the starting point have all passed a rigorous starting examination. They have undergone starting training over a period of several months, are ready both physically and mentally, and are burning with competitive spirit for the race. However, the environment and atmosphere on race days is different from normal days. Due to this, many horses succumb to severe over-excitement on race days.

When this happens, horses may be unable to reproduce their lengthy starting training, their entry into the stalls may be unfavorable, or they may become violent in the stalls. It is at such times that the relationship of trust between jockeys and horses comes into play.

Horses are animals that feel elation when working in cooperation with humans, with jockeys in the superior and horses in the subordinate positions. A relationship of trust between jockeys and horses is therefore very important. If this relationship is flawed, the guidance from the jockey will not be conveyed to the horse, and the horse will not know what it is supposed to do.

Even if a horse is psychologically disturbed, it should be possible to avoid trouble and work well together, as long as a good relationship has been built between the horse and jockey. Starting training is an extremely useful step towards creating this relationship of trust. What is important when training horses is how to make them understand what humans require of them. The only means of achieving this is through proper reward and punishment. The horse must be made to understand why it is being rewarded or punished.

In this sense, starting training is very useful. For in this training, it is easy for the horse to understand what jockeys want of it.

The processes involved in starting are very concrete - whether "entering the stall smoothly" , "standing still in the stall" , or "starting off when the front gate opens" . This makes it very easy for the horse to understand what it should and shouldn't do, and why it is being rewarded or punished. When praised by humans, the horse understands what is required of it, and gladly repeats it. Or, if scolded by humans, the horse can understand that it has done things wrongly.

By nature, however, horses are timid and very cautious animals. Therefore, jockeys have to be quite persistent and invest much time in training their horses for starting. Horses can be scared just by going up to those huge starting gates, so they have to be extremely brave to go inside the stalls. Then, they need patience to stand quietly inside the narrow confines of the stall, even if only for a short time and finally, to start off at a gallop from standstill as soon as the front gate opens is extremely hard for a horse.

To help their horses overcome these trials, jockeys have to cajole and encourage their horses, guiding them by using proper rewards and punishment, sometimes as a teacher, sometimes as a friend. Thus, while starting training is hard work for both jockeys and horses, the process is extremely effective in building a mutual relationship of trust and a relationship of master and subordinate.

Starting training is carried out to prevent problems when starting races and reduce negative factors during races. At the same time, however, it also has the effect of building the relationship of trust between jockeys and horses.

If this relationship exists, the horse will respond more responsively to its jockey's guidance. This will help to produce major effects and achieve better performance, not only on starting but also during the race.


Conclusion

Horses that display unruly behavior at the starting gate often appear to have a very difficult nature.

However, I think this difficult nature is often related to the horse's potential as a racehorse. There are many examples of horses that have improved their racing performance after correcting unruly behavior. While this is partly the result of correcting unfavorable starts, another reason may be that the horse becomes more responsive to its jockey's guidance during the race. If this difficult nature can be harnessed when competing in races, it should be possible to improve the horse's performance.

In past international races, we have received requests for horses to approach the gate using the method of their own country - for example, to "open the front gate and lead the horse into the stall backwards" , or to "lead the horse into the stall last of all because it cannot maintain a good standstill" . But in the interests of fair horseracing, we have herein explained the JRA rules and made them understood.

Of course, we can understand the wish to minimize pressure on the horse at the gate, but in such cases the horse should also be trained to start in line with the rules of the country in which the race is being run, and this should also have an effect on behavior.

There are differences in rules of racing, depending on the varying circumstances in each country, and it would be virtually impossible to standardize them. For this reason, it is important to have a good grasp of the rules of the country in which the race is being run, and to prepare the horse to respond to this. In this way, I think, it should be possible to manifest the full potential of the horse.

I have explained above the JRA's rationale on rules concerning starting. Therefore I hope that when taking part in JRA's international races, representatives from the various countries will take this rationale into account.


http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/journal/v12n5/main.html

[imaufo]

Interview with Kinya Okamoto, JAIR President and COO

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by Barbara Bayer

Racing Journalist

http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j13011_01.jpg


Kinya Okamoto and Barbara Bayer

Last October, the Japan Association for International Horse Racing saw a change of guard. Kinya Okamoto, former vice president of the Japan Racing Association, became JAIR's president and COO, bringing with him over 40 years of experience in the Japanese racing industry.

Looking back, Okamoto understands that he has seen some extraordinary years and considers himself fortunate to have seen the emergence of four of Japan's five Triple Crown winners and to have participated in two revisions of the Japan Racing Law. Not only did he see the organization through its best years, he saw it through some of its worst, the recent ones of falling revenues. "It was a very tough time. There was no simple way to get out of the situation. We undertook all kinds of measures to cut costs and raise profits. Though there are still a lot of very worried-looking people in the horse racing industry, I don't think we are in any dire trouble," he says with his ready laugh.

Given JAIR's main role of acting as a clearinghouse for racing-related information between Japan and the rest of the world, Okamoto's new post may at long last bring him closer to working with his interest in media communications.

The JAIR, unique worldwide in its function as a separate entity for international information exchange, is also unique within Japan as the only organization that deals with the industry as a whole. Unlike the JRA, the JAIR also concerns itself with the 17 local governments organizing racing in addition to the national government-level JRA. The JAIR also looks at the breeding industry as a whole, not just with an eye to those horses making their way into JRA races.

Over the years and through his many travels abroad, Okamoto has naturally made a great number of close contacts with top racing officials and industry leaders. "I'm looking forward to being in a position to communicate with them even more," he says, reflecting on the JAIR's main tasks of acting as a window onto the world for Japan's racing and, vice versa, translating and conveying racing industry news and information from around the world to Japanese horsemen.


http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/image/j13011_02.jpg

Kinya Okamoto, JAIR President and COO


Now, more than ever, Okamoto points to the growing need for communication and for a serious exchange of information and opinions on the international level. In addition to JAIR's annual invitation for tens of representatives from other Asian and Southern Hemisphere countries to observe the Japanese racing world and system at work, participating in international conferences, especially the Asian Racing Federation Conference, are key events for the organization. "No longer will these be just opportunities for socializing. They will be increasingly concerned with serious issues," Okamoto says.

Such issues to name a few are the battle to offset losses to cross-border wagering, what is referred to as "3U gambling" -- unlimited, unregulated and uncontrolled -- and new issues emerging around racing-related intellectual property rights. These, Okamoto says, will continue to be key issues and, together with others, ones that the JAIR will be "keeping a close eye on" in cooperation with overseas organizations during the coming year.

http://www.jair.jrao.ne.jp/prerel/main.html

[jb]

2009 News
November 1, 2009
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New Drug Control Regulation to be implemented from 1st November 2009
JRA will implement new drug control regulation starting from 1st November, 2009, where 19 items, defined as RESTRICTED DRUGS, which are drugs whose usage is restricted from the standpoint of horse welfare and injury prevention, will be added along to the list of prohibited drugs. This change aims to conform the JRA medication rules to the various measures taken by the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA) to increase harmonization of the international regulations of prohibited substances in horse racing.

Japan’s Horse Racing Law prescribes that no horse shall race under the influence of drugs which temporarily stimulate or depress race performances. It is vitally important to note that all matters concerning the control of drug administration to racehorses shall be prescribed by the JRA Veterinary Officer, and therefore, please check with the JRA beforehand when considering any drug administration to horses scheduled to race in JRA races.

List of RESTRICTED DRUGS 1 Acemetacin 2 Ibuprofen
3 Indomethacin 4 Carprofen
5 Ketoprofen 6 Diclofenac Sodium
7 Sulindac 8 Dexamethasone
9 Triamcinolone 10 Triamcinolone acetonide
11 Tolfenamic acid 12 Naproxen
13 Hydrocortisone 14 Piroxicam
15 Flunixin 16 Prednisolone
17 Betamethasone 18 Methylprednisolone
19 Loxoprofen

The JRA will recommend withdrawal times for the above listed restricted drugs. Please contact the JRA Veterinary Division, or respective JRA Representative Offices for specific information.

* The further information for the "JRA International Race Information - Medication and Drugs"