The BHRC Council met on Saturday 16th August and after much debate decided on a force majeure basis that we need to insert the following addition to the rules for Health & Safety reasons as well as the better management of the sport.
M31 – For clarification purposes for both licence holders and Stewards we would bring your attention to the fact that this rule relates to the horse and not the driver:
M31. If a horse is declared to have fallen during a race, it shall not be permitted to run in any rerun or race at that meeting. Such declaration shall be made if the horse’s quarters and/or shoulder touch the ground, or the driver has been unseated.
There can be no on the day interpretation of the rule, if a horse has fallen or the driver has been unseated the horse cannot race again on that day.
The Council have decided that a new rule should be added as M36. And that states:
M36 – If any driver or jockey is unseated at any period whilst on the track or during a race that driver or jockey must attend the official trained medical personnel in attendance before driving or riding in any subsequent race on that day.
This addition has been made on Health & Safety grounds.