Please read the following update provided by the Australian Stud Book regarding Mare Returns and Foal Ownership Declaration.
From 1 August 2024, Racing Australia introduced a process that required owners to provide a reason for lodging a late FOD via an online survey. Based on the results of this survey and feedback from the State Breeder associations Racing Australia has made the following changes to the enforcement process.
From 1 August 2025:
FODs that are lodged before 30 days will be accepted and charged the current standard fee of $140.
FODs that are lodged after 30 days but by 60 days will be accepted but a late fee of $360 will be charged. This late fee replaces the current late fee of $125 if lodged after 30 days and $200 if lodged in the following season.
FODs that are lodged after 60 days will be accepted and charged the current fee of $140 but the foal will be flagged as not eligible to race. An email will be sent with an option to Appeal the ineligibility. An Appeal can only be upheld if special or exceptional circumstances are proven and supported by documentation. A fee of $500 will be charged for the Appeal which will be heard by an independent 3rd party. If the Appeal is successful, the ineligibility to race will be removed and the Appeal fee will be refunded and the late fee of $360 charged.
In a further step to simplify the process Racing Australia has merged the Mare Return and FOD steps to a single process.
Owners selling an unregistered horse must disclose to potential purchasers whether there has been compliance with the lodgement obligations. Similarly, potential purchasers should make enquiries of a vendor to satisfy themselves the horse is eligible to be registered to race.
Racing Australia recognises that ineligibility to register and race your horse in Australia is a serious consequence for owners failing to comply with their lodgement obligations. However, enforcement of the Rules is paramount to ensuring ongoing improvements in horse welfare and traceability. For Rule details and owner obligations please click here for further information.
