At the beginning of the 2022-23 racing season, New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing announced a proposed amendment to the Rules of Racing, around the naming of horses before being allowed to trial or presented for barrier certification.

NZTR has approved the Rule change whereby a horse may only be entered for, and start in, a race, or a trial (or a jump-out or test for certification purposes) if it is registered and has been named in accordance with the Rules of Racing.

Why has NZTR approved this Rule change?

• The rationale behind this Rule change is to better align with regulations currently upheld in Australia.
• Naming your horse before a race, trial or test for certification purposes will ensure there is no delay or refusal of nomination.
• IT will also provide improved financial accounting. Accounts will be sent directly to the owner, rather than to the trainer as is the case with unnamed horses at present.
• The new Rule change provides improved punter visibility of horses.
• It will also aid traceability for welfare purposes, tracking the current location and ownership of horses more efficiently.
• The migration to the Single National System (SNS) means that unnamed horses will not be accepted when taking nominations for trials. This is a default of the system and cannot be changed.

How will the Rule change impact me?

• NZTR’s IT system has been updated so that unnamed horses cannot be nominated through the National Racing Bureau and the Trainer’s Service Centre from 1 August 2023.
• Unnamed horses are still able to enter jump-outs but only if they are not undergoing a test for certification purposes.
• Previously there have been concerns expressed regarding possible GST implications. However, NZTR has received advice that GST does not become payable until the horse participates in a race. Naming horses before they trial will therefore have no effect on the time that GST becomes payable.