TJC Safety Committee Calls for Void Claim Rule Changes
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Photo: Coglianese Photos/Chelsea Durand
Horses compete in a claiming race at Saratoga Race Course, a track with a void claim rule in place
In an update to its recommendation on voided claim rules, The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Safety Committee is calling for a revision that will allow a claim to be voided by the claimant if the claimed horse is placed on the official veterinarian's list due to the horse exhibiting signs of unsoundness, lameness, or epistaxis within one hour of a race being declared official.
The safety committee announced Aug. 27 the revision to its recommendation titled, "Timing of Title Transfer with Claimed Horses," which regards voiding claims of horses injured during a race. In terms of how to define an injury, the updated recommendation adds some clarity to the current standard.
Equine injury numbers have been reduced at tracks that have void claim rules in place.
"Research by Dr. Tim Parkin, head of Bristol Veterinary School and a consultant on the Equine Injury Database, indicates that racetracks that enforce void claim rules have significantly lower incidences of racing fatalities per 1,000 starts when compared to tracks without void claim rules," said The Jockey Club executive vice president and executive director Matt Iuliano.
Dr. Parkin's presentation on void claim rules
Full text of the void claim recommendation revision; complete list of recommendations by the TSC
The TSC was created in May 2008 to review every facet of equine health and to recommend actions the industry can take to improve the health and safety of Thoroughbreds. The committee convenes to review myriad safety issues with a cross-section of industry representatives, including jockeys, trainers, veterinarians, chemists, pedigree experts, handicappers, owners, breeders, blacksmiths, racing commissioners, racetrack executives, and geneticists.
Committee members are Craig Fravel (chairman), Dr. Rick Arthur, James G. (Jimmy) Bell, Dr. Larry Bramlage, Dell Hancock, Jim Lawson, Chris McCarron, Dr. Hiram C. Polk Jr., Tom Robbins, and Jaime Roth. Each is a member of The Jockey Club.