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CONTRACT NOW COMPULSORY
It’s official! Now every trainer must have a written contract
with the owners for whom they train. An amendment to the
Rules to this effect was published in the Racing Calendar on
27 October 2003.
The new Rule 11.6.2 states that “Every TRAINER and OWNER
shall ensure that there is Training Agreement duly signed in
respect of a HORSE(S) owned by the OWNER for whom the
TRAINER trains. Failure to comply with this requirement
without good reason shall constitute a breach of this RULE for
which a fine of not less than R1000 may be imposed upon both
the TRAINER and OWNER.”
The Rule sets out the issues which must be covered by the
agreement. These include inter alia :
• the basic training fee
• all other expenses
• the extent of the trainer’s authority
• variations in the basic training fee
• stakes percentage deductions
• time and method of payment
• any provision for a trainer’s’ lien
• any other matters required by The Jockey Club
The new Rule 97.4.5 will be welcomed by the trainers because
it allows them to apply to The Jockey Club to post any owner
who does not pay his training bills as a defaulter.
According to Colin Hall, the Racing Administration Manager
of The Jockey Club, this is a big step forward in the racing
industry. He says that in the past, trying to help trainers was
more often than not a frustrating and fruitless process as there
was no written document which stated clearly what the
obligations of each party were. In addition to this, trainers often
entered into some very complicated agreements which often
ended up as unresolvable disputes. With proper contracts there
will be a much greater chance that we will be able to help
trainers collect their fees, he said.
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