Stewards will be able to declare a horse a non-runner in any race without starting stalls if they deem that contender has been denied a fair start after a rule change was made by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA).
Beginning next Wednesday, the rule change brings both NH and Flat together. There was already a similar rule in place since last May for horses jumping from the starting stalls. Stewards will be able to deem a horse a non-runner if they believe the horse did not get a fair start for reasons outside of its control, with its chances materially affected as a result.
If the stewards decide a horse is “in a position at the actioning of the start that denied them the opportunity to start on equal terms, such as facing the wrong way or being significantly detached from the field” it can be deemed a non-runner, but contenders that hinder their chance by their own behaviour – such as planting themselves or spinning round after the start is effected – will not fall under the rule change.
Shaun Parker, BHA head of stewarding, said, “This rule change provides clarity for participants and bettors, harmonising the rules in Britain across the two codes to provide greater consistency. It also ensures that all of our races, regardless of starting procedure, align with the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) model rule and the approach applied by other major jurisdictions.”
A horse will also not be declared a non-runner where it simply refuses to race, as Shishkin did at Ascot in November 2023.
The BHA added, “It is important to stress that each case will be assessed on its own individual merits, considering the specific set of circumstances that have presented themselves in that given moment.
“Any consideration by the stewards will always precede the 'weighed in' signal, with participants, racegoers and the betting public alerted that an incident at the start of the race is being reviewed.”
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