PHILRACOM Horse Racing Rules and Regulations

Exclusive jurisdiction over horse racing

PHILRACOM exercises exclusive jurisdiction and control over every aspect of horse racing, including framing and scheduling of races, construction and safety of race tracks, allocation of prizes, security of racing, and all other powers, duties, and functions under Presidential Decree No. 420 and other applicable laws, decrees, directives, executive orders, and rules and regulations (Section 2).

PHILRACOM powers and enforcement

PHILRACOM shall enforce all laws, decrees, directives, executive orders, and letters of instructions relating to horse racing (Section 2.0(a)).
PHILRACOM shall adopt and prescribe rules and regulations (Section 2.0(b)).
PHILRACOM shall review, modify, approve, or disapprove rules and regulations issued by persons or entities on races held by them (Section 2.0(c)).
PHILRACOM shall issue permits and licenses and impose and collect fees for issuance to persons or entities required to obtain them (Section 2.0(d)).
PHILRACOM may postpone or abandon any race for that day when weather or the race track is unfit, when essential race facilities (including starting gate, photo patrols, or video recording and related communication) are defective and adversely affect race results, or under exceptional circumstances considering the interest of the betting public (Section 2.0(e)).
PHILRACOM shall register racehorses, their owners, and associations or federations thereof (Section 2.0(f)).
PHILRACOM shall regulate construction of race tracks and grant permits or licenses for holding races (Section 2.0(g)).
PHILRACOM shall supervise race meetings to assure integrity and may order suspension or cancellation of any racing event for violations of law, decrees, directives, ordinances, or these rules (Section 2.0(h)).
PHILRACOM may prohibit improper devices, drugs, stimulants, or other means used to enhance or diminish horse speed or materially harm horse conditions (Section 2.0(i)).
PHILRACOM shall approve the annual budget and supplemental budgets needed for its operations (Section 2.0(j)).
PHILRACOM may enter contracts chargeable to or against its funds (Section 2.0(k)).
PHILRACOM may impose fines, penalties, and forfeitures on erring parties under these rules, accruing directly to PHILRACOM funds (Section 2.0(l)).
PHILRACOM, in its discretion or upon petition of an interested party, after notice and hearing, may modify, suspend, or revoke permits or licenses for failure to comply or violation; without notice and hearing, PHILRACOM may order temporary suspension whenever necessary for the best interest of racing and the public (Section 2.0(m)).
PHILRACOM may summon parties, issue subpoenas, and require production of documents, books, papers, contracts, records, or statement of accounts necessary for a just determination under investigation (Section 2.0(n)).
PHILRACOM may access all stands during a racing day to inspect consequences of betting and other premises within racing clubs, including grandstands, jockeys’ quarters, stables, and other areas (Section 2.0(o)).

Officers and executive leadership

PHILRACOM executive officers consist of an Executive Director and such other officers as PHILRACOM appoints (Section 3).
The Chairman presides over PHILRACOM meetings; during permanent or temporary incapacity, authority shifts to the Vice-Chairman, or in his absence, to an officer designated by the Chairman until a successor is appointed and qualified or incapacity ends (Section 3.0).
PHILRACOM appoints an Executive Director as head of the office, with overall supervision over horse racing conduct, including duties and powers set by PHILRACOM; persons directly involved in race conduct are under immediate supervision of the Executive Director (Section 3.1).
PHILRACOM appoints an Assistant Executive Director (Director for Racing) to assist the Executive Director; during incapacity of the Executive Director, the Assistant assumes office until a successor is appointed or incapacity ends (Section 3.2).
PHILRACOM may appoint other officials and employees as needed; they perform duties and functions assigned by PHILRACOM (Section 3.3).
The Board of Stewards supervises and controls race conduct during racing days (Section 4).

Board of Stewards powers and penalties

The Board of Stewards has a Chairman and six (6) members appointed by PHILRACOM; a majority vote is required for valid acts, rulings, or decisions (Section 4.0).
The reason for any dissenting vote must be placed on record and duly reported (Section 4.0).
During incapability of the Chairman or any member during a racing day, PHILRACOM designates any or all cadet Stewards to fill the vacancy (Section 4.0).
A Steward must be of legal age, of good moral character, have at least two (2) years of college education, be physically and mentally fit, and have passed PHILRACOM’s examination to obtain the corresponding license (Section 4.1).
Stewards’ compensation is for the account of PHILRACOM (Section 4.2).
Stewards cannot be Handicappers, but may act as Judges during temporary incapacity of Judges if separately licensed as such (Section 4.3).
The Board of Stewards remains in session and does not adjourn until its report on the conduct of horse races in a Racing Club is submitted to PHILRACOM (Section 4.4).
The Board of Stewards controls opening and closing of ticket sales; orders the starter to start the race; investigates and decides incidents; and may annul any race before finish when a bad start or other incident requires it (Section 4.5(a)–(d)).
Except in summary proceedings, Stewards must observe due process and apply, impose, and enforce penalties under these rules against erring jockeys, trainers, horse owners and their horses, track officials and employees, and other persons performing duties connected with horse racing (Section 4.5(e)).
The Board of Stewards has free access to stands, weighing rooms, enclosures, paddocks, and other places within Racing Club grounds (Section 4.5(f)).
The Board may exclude or expel any person warned or ruled off from all places under its control and inform the club of the decision (Section 4.5(g)).
The Board regulates conduct of owners, trainers, jockeys, their helpers and grooms, and any person (including club officials or employees) under the influence of alcoholic drinks or drugs whose conduct becomes unruly (Section 4.5(h)).
Within the first non-racing day after a racing day, unless serious reasons require more time, the Board submits a written report to PHILRACOM through the Racing Manager; PHILRACOM determines any extended deadline (Section 4.5(i)).
The Board disqualifies winning horses or placers under Sections 59.0 and 59.1 (or for lack of weight) and declares the next qualifying horse as winner/placer (Section 4.5(j)).
Upon directive from PHILRACOM or if it believes a horse may have been drugged or injected with stimulants/depressants, the Board orders the club veterinarian to extract blood, saliva, or urine for drug detection (Section 4.5(k)).

Race cancellation, indemnity, fines, and suspensions

The Board may order cancellation of races when warranted (Section 4.5(l)).
In the regular daily double, if several horses are withdrawn leaving only two (2) horses or starters and the race is cancelled by the Racing Club due to deliberate acts or negligence of officials, the officials must indemnify the owners of the remaining horse in PHP 1,000.00 for each horse (Section 4.5(l)).
The Racing Club may demand reimbursement from owners of withdrawn horses without justifiable cause (as determined by the Club) for amounts paid by the Club to owners of entries (Section 4.5(l)).
If reimbursement by owners is not made within two (2) weeks, the withdrawn horses are suspended for three (3) months (Section 4.5(l)).
If a start is cancelled by the Board and PHILRACOM finds the Racing Club guilty, the club is fined not less than PHP 1,000.00 per horse in the race (Section 4.5(l)).
Stewards must correctly interpret and enforce all rules and regulations (Section 4.5(m)).

Cadet Stewards and attire; finality rules

Cadet Steward/s sit with the Board during racing days and assist in conduct of race meetings (Section 4.6(a)).
Cadet Stewards exercise powers and duties conferred on Stewards by the Rules (Section 4.6(b)).
Cadet Stewards join deliberations but have no vote except when acting in the place of an absent or unable Commission Steward (Section 4.6(c)).
Cadet Stewards act as an extension of the Board within Racing Club premises to observe, investigate, or conduct inspections when called upon or when circumstances warrant (Section 4.6(d)).
Cadet Stewards perform other functions required by the Commission (Section 4.6(e)).
Stewards must wear barong tagalog, shirt and tie, or polo barong while performing official functions (Section 4.7).
Penalties or punishments imposed by Stewards cannot be reconsidered by them after the log book has been signed (Section 4.8).
Failure to comply with PHILRACOM orders, resolutions, or decisions, or for gross incompetence, bias, or negligence, results in a Steward fine not exceeding PHP 1,000.00, and, at PHILRACOM discretion, suspension or revocation of the Steward’s license (Section 4.9).

Specialized PHILRACOM personnel duties

PHILRACOM Veterinarians (at least one) examine racehorses for defects incapacitating them from racing; observe proper club veterinarian inspection; make ocular inspections of entries after running and report findings; concur with withdrawal recommendations; supervise measurement and acceptance of racehorses; oversee schooling of vicious horses with the starter; attend the starting gate with the club veterinarian for immediate decisions on claimed defects; after establishment of a complete laboratory by clubs within one year upon approval of rules, prescribe laboratory tests necessary for racehorses; disqualify novato horses blind in both eyes, with moonblindness, or with infectious diseases; and report irregularities to PHILRACOM and the Board of Stewards (Section 5(a)).
PHILRACOM Physician (licensed) certifies physical fitness of all licensees; certifies jockey physical fitness in required semi-annual exams; issues medical clearance when required; supervises clinics to ensure adequate first aid facilities and equipment during race days; and assists in emergency cases (Section 6(a)).
A PHILRACOM Racing Official supervises PHILRACOM personnel on track, attends all races, watches events, reports anomalies/infractions to the Board of Stewards and PHILRACOM, submits written race reports and incidents with written recommendation regarding actions taken by Stewards, acts as Board of Judges member when needed due to incapacity, and performs other duties assigned by PHILRACOM (Section 7(a)).
PHILRACOM Handicappers attend handicapping committee meetings, supervise drawing lots for horse scheduling, report matters to PHILRACOM, screen all horses and jockeys, keep complete racehorse records with performance and other required data, and perform other duties assigned (Section 8(a)).
Field Racing Inspectors are appointed to watch events on each race day at different track locations, implement assignments from the Racing Official, and submit required reports (Section 9(a)).

Racing clubs: licensing, rules, facilities

Racing Clubs must secure a license from PHILRACOM or a permit to hold races before holding any race (Section 10(a)).
Racing Clubs must promulgate internal rules and regulations that do not conflict with law, decrees, ordinances, or these rules; submit them to PHILRACOM for approval before enforcement; publish them in a newspaper of general circulation; and failure to comply is a ground for revocation or suspension of the license to operate (Section 11(a)).
Racing Clubs must provide adequate and well-maintained race tracks and grandstands, adequate starting facilities, and a starting gate available for all registered horses on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. or any day as PHILRACOM may require, with necessary personnel to assist horses for schooling; registered horses shall not be deprived of club track, starting gate, and necessary facilities and personnel, and use must be made during prescribed periods by PHILRACOM and/or the club (Section 12(a)–(c)).
Racing Clubs must provide a race track open for workouts from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on non-racing days, and when weekend races are held, open from 4:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. on the above days; the track must be cleared of obstacles such as Pie de Gallo, track diggings, or anything dangerous to life and limb of jockeys, exercise boys, and horses, and cleared to allow inspection and repair (Section 12(d)).
Racing Clubs must provide electronic or electric computers for registration of bets and computation of odds/dividends, photo finish devices, weighing machines for jockeys and horses, horse measurement devices, centralized communication and sound systems, photo patrol equipment and video tape recorders, well-equipped jockeys’ quarters with canteen and relaxation equipment, sirens and devices to announce annulment of races, bulletin boards showing ticket sale info and betting odds/dividends, saddling enclosures/paddocks, a well-equipped emergency medical clinic and ambulance, and other required facilities/devices/equipment mandated by law or required by PHILRACOM to raise public confidence and minimize rule infractions (Section 12(e)–(p)).
Racing Clubs must keep race tracks and grandstands in good and safe condition; PHILRACOM may temporarily suspend racing in a club and order temporary transfer to another club if the track endangers safety or if grandstands appear patently dangerous for the public, until renovation places them in good and safe condition (Section 13(a)).

Weather/power failures and closing sale rules

When power fails or an unforeseen incident causes the electronic computer to fail, the Board of Stewards determines the time for closing ticket sales, and the starter shall not be signaled until the sum/total of tickets sold on each horse is posted on the bulletin board exposed to the public and announced via public address system (Section 15(a)).
Racing Clubs must use a modern centralized communication system controlled by the Board of Stewards connecting to outposts, towers, electronic computers, ticket sales division, PHILRACOM box, starting gate, public announcer, clinic, jockeys’ quarters, and saddling paddock (Section 16(a)).

Racing club records and required lists

Racing Clubs must keep and file with PHILRACOM a complete list of licensed jockeys and all horses running in their tracks, including each horse’s owner and trainer (Section 17(a)).

Club officials: roles and disqualifications

Racing Clubs must have officials and personnel including a Racing Manager and Assistant Racing Manager, Racing Judges, Paddock Stewards, Racing Handicappers, Superintendents/Supervisors, Veterinarians, Starters and Apprentices, Clockers, Clerks of Scales, Physicians and nurses, Security Personnel (Riot Squad), Outrider, Race Callers, Starting gate helpers, Farriers, and all other necessary personnel, all duly licensed and registered with PHILRACOM (Section 18(a)).
The Racing Manager must be of legal age, good moral character, pass PHILRACOM examination, and obtain the required license (Section 19(a)).
The Racing Manager is Official-in-Charge of preparation, scheduling, and holding of races as determined and approved by PHILRACOM, ensures no suspended jockeys or disqualified horses participate, ensures races are run as scheduled, prevents admission of banned persons into the club premises, maintains proper behavior of employees, ensures certification of equipment and facilities safety before the first race of the day, and certifies after visual inspection that required equipment and facilities are in good condition (Section 20(a)).
The Racing Manager must ensure the following are kept and maintained in good and safe condition: race track and grandstands, starting facilities, photo finish devices, weighing machines, modern centralized communication/sound systems/loud speakers, sirens, photo patrol equipment or video tapes, electronic computers, clinic and two (2) ambulances with two (2) paramedics, saddling paddocks, and jockeys’ quarters (Section 20(a)).
The Racing Manager is disqualified from acting as a Steward, Judge, or Handicapper (Section 20.0).
For rule violations or misrepresentation and false certification, the Racing Manager is punished by fine not less than PHP 500.00 but not more than PHP 50,000.00 and/or suspension or revocation of license (Section 20.1).
The Assistant Racing Manager must be of legal age, good moral character, pass PHILRACOM examination, and hold the required license (Section 20.2).
The Assistant Racing Manager assists and assumes duties and responsibilities when the Racing Manager is temporarily or permanently incapacitated (Section 20.3).

Racing Judges and Board of Judges

Racing Judges must be of legal age, good moral character, physically fit as certified by the PHILRACOM physician, pass PHILRACOM examination, and obtain their licenses (Section 21(a)).
Judges are disqualified from acting as a Steward unless separately licensed, and they shall not act as Handicappers (Section 22.0).
A Board of Judges exists on every racing day with a Chairman and two (2) members, appointed and compensated by the Racing Club concerned, from among PHILRACOM-licensed judges (Section 22.1).
During incapacity of members, the PHILRACOM (Chief) Racing Officer or other licensed judges fill in (Section 22.1).
The Board of Judges decides win/place/show and other warranted placings; its decision requires confirmation by the Board of Stewards; if Stewards disagree, Stewards’ decision prevails (Section 22.2(a)).
The Board considers nose position at finish; consults photo finish if needed; if photo finish is unclear or unavailable after a photo finish decision, it declares a deadheat (Section 22.2(a)).
The Racing Club must take a photograph of arrivals from first through at least fourth place in each race (Section 22.2(a)).

Paddock Stewards and their penalties

At least two (2) licensed Paddock Stewards must exist during racing days as Officer-in-Charge of the saddling paddock (Section 23(a)).
A Paddock Steward must be of legal age, good moral character, pass PHILRACOM exam, and obtain a license (Section 23.0).
Paddock Stewards enforce saddling paddock rules, report violations with recommendations, inspect horses for approved standard equipment, exclude unauthorized persons, supervise behavior of owners/trainers/jockeys/helpers/grooms and accompanying persons, and perform other assigned duties (Section 23.1(a)).
A Paddock Steward cannot act as Handicapper; cannot also act as Judge or Steward unless separately licensed, and only during temporary incapacity of Judge or Steward (Section 23.2).
For failures to comply, orders, resolutions, or decisions, or for imprudence or negligence, the fine is not exceeding PHP 200.00 and/or suspension or revocation of license (Section 23.3).

Handicappers: club duties and approval

Club Handicappers must be of legal age, good moral character, pass PHILRACOM exam, and obtain a license (Section 24(a)).
Handicapping for duly licensed clubs’ races is prepared by club official handicappers subject to PHILRACOM approval; each Racing Club must have at least one (1) licensed Handicapper (Section 24.0).
Club Handicappers must be present from start of first race to end of last race; keep complete racehorse records including detailed performance and disability-relevant data; prepare draft racing programs immediately after the end of race day; meet for succeeding weekend races on the weekend following or on the day following holidays races or on time and day designated by PHILRACOM to prepare final race program; explain required changes; and furnish Racing Clubs lists of suspended horses/jockeys or any other disability (Section 24.1(a)).
In Handicapping Committee meetings, PHILRACOM may allow duly accredited representatives of horse owners or trainers to attend, deliberate, and vote; apprentice handicappers appointed by each Racing Club may attend to observe how horses are handicapped (Section 24.2(a)).
PHILRACOM shall not issue any handicapper license to an apprentice unless a certificate from the handicappers states that the apprentice underwent apprenticeship of not less than one (1) year and is qualified to act as handicapper (Section 25(a)).

Ticket-sale superintendents and control

Superintendents/Supervisors must be Filipino citizens, of legal age, good moral character, have sufficient experience in management of sale of tickets, and be registered and licensed by the Racing Manager with PHILRACOM (Section 26(a)).
Each ticket department for Pari-mutuel, Daily double, Forecast, Llave, Jackpot, Winner-Take-All, Quartet, and other betting schemes provided by PHILRACOM assigns a Superintendent/Supervisor (Section 26.0).
Superintendents/Supervisors hold absolute control over tickets to be sold in their departments; strictly supervise ticket sales to prevent tellers or other persons from buying tickets for themselves or others within the compartment or returning already sold tickets; refuse persons not officially connected unless expressly permitted in writing by PHILRACOM or the Racing Club; and report irregularities immediately to the Racing Manager, who then informs PHILRACOM or its authorized representative (Section 26.1(a)).

Starters, apprentices, and starting gate discipline

Club starters are club employees; they start races by Stewards’ order, ensure horses are in assigned places; recommend exclusion of horses with obstinate hostility, viciousness that obstructs a good start, or that unnecessarily delay start; supervise schooling of vicious horses with PHILRACOM veterinarians; conduct actual tests of the starting barrier immediately before entries reach it; recommend punishment of jockeys and starting gate helpers for insubordination or disobedience; notify Stewards immediately in false starts or untoward incidents for annulment; give orders necessary for a good start; keep a logbook of traits/characteristics of every horse, especially starting gate behavior; and perform other acts required by PHILRACOM (Section 27(a)).
Racing Clubs may appoint one or two apprentice starters allowed by PHILRACOM to observe starts during race days and training days (Section 28(a)).
PHILRACOM issues an apprentice starter license only if the apprentice submits a Racing Club certificate showing at least one (1) year apprenticeship and qualification to act as starter (Section 29(a)).

Club veterinarians, clockers, and scales

Each club must have at least two (2) veterinarians authorized to practice, experienced in treating racehorse diseases/injuries, and licensed by PHILRACOM (Section 30(a)).
Club veterinarians must be present from start of first race until the last race; inspect saddling enclosures/paddocks before races and immediately inform PHILRACOM veterinarians and Stewards of unsound/unfit horses; provide immediate assistance in emergencies to distressed horses and take steps to prevent further suffering when the owner/representative is absent; with concurrence of the PHILRACOM veterinarian, order removal of unsuitable/unsafe/ineffective racing plates/equipment and recommend punishment of responsible persons; recommend immediate destruction of horses that suffer accidents to avoid further suffering, and the owner/trainer must be paged three (3) times via public address, with failure to respond triggering measures; examine and investigate horses suspected under influence of drugs/stimulants with concurrence of PHILRACOM veterinarian and report findings and recommendation to PHILRACOM veterinarian and Stewards (Section 30(a)(e)–(g)).
A Clocker must be Filipino citizen, of legal age, good moral character, with sufficient timing and racehorse experience, and obtain a corresponding PHILRACOM license (Section 31(a)).
A Racing Club must have at least one (1) Clocker; clockers measure race time from start to finish, report it immediately to the Board of Stewards, keep a record of times, and perform other acts required by PHILRACOM