Rule Change
15 January 2025
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 1 February. Details can be found here.
Rule Change
3 February 2024
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 14 February to make provision for Rider weight allowances. Details can be found here.
Rule Change
14 January 2024
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 1 February. Details can be found here.
Rule Change
19 June 2023
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 19 June. Details can be found here.
Rule Change
12 June 2023
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 12 June to modify the safety provisions for hurdle races. Details can be found here.
Death of Hugh Raymond
11 April 2023
The CIHA are saddened to hear of the passing of Hugh Raymond. He will be missed by everyone connected with racing in these Islands for his unwavering support of the sport.
Announcement on "Bedding in Period" for new whip rules
3 April 2023
Announcement on "Bedding in Period" for new whip rules
At the request of the Jersey Race Club Executive (JRCE) and following constructive discussions at a meeting between the JRCE, the Channel Islands Horseracing Authority and the Stewards, on Thursday 30th March 2023, it has been agreed to a ‘Bedding in Period’ of the new whip rules.
The ‘Bedding in Period’ is for the first four meetings of 2023 being Sunday 7th May, Sunday 21st, May, Sunday 11th June and Friday 23rd June 2023.
The implementation date for the revised whip rules in racing is therefore the Friday 7th July meeting.
Throughout the bedding-in period all parties will try to identify where improvements could be made to the Raceday procedures and refine any rules as appropriate.
Rule Changes
26 February 2023
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 1 March. Details can be found here.
Consultation on the use of the whip
1 December 2022
The results of the whip consultation are as follows:
Total participants = 70 of which Owner 15, Trainer 4, Rider 8, Bookmaker 1, Racegoer 30, Other 12
73% believe in following the BHA to back hand only;
73% think that the current number of permitted strikes is correct (of those who wanted a reduction 4 strikes was the most popular number);
62% though the number should be more in a jumps race
69% believe in disqualification for serious over use of the whip.
25 August 2022
The Channel Islands Horseracing Authority is conducting a public consultation on the use of whip. Please click on this link Whip consultation if you wish to participate.
The consultation will close on 30 September 2022.
Rule Change
28 January 2022
The temporary additional 3lb allowance for Riders at the scales has been made permanent. Rule (B)22.9 has been amended accordingly.
Rule Changes
30 November 2021
The Rules of Racing will be amended on 3 December. Details can be found here.
Rule Change
30 July 2021
The Rules of Racing have been amended following consultation with stakeholders. Further details can be found here.
Rule Change
21 June 2021
At the request of trainers and riders, the allowance for Riders at the scales has been increased from 3lb to 6lb to compensate for riders not having access to saunas during the Covid pandemic. Rule (B)22.9 is accordingly temporarily amended.
EHV - 1 Outbreak in Europe
12th March
The Channel Islands Horseracing Authority is aware of an outbreak in Europe of EHV-1. We are monitoring the situation and are kept up to date by the European & Mediterranean Horseracing Federation, France Galop and the European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee. The Equine Pathology Epidemiological Surveillance Network also monitor developments, which we are kept abreast of.
Whilst travel to France is currently restricted, we would remind all trainers that they should ensure that all horses brought to the island from Europe are vaccinated properly and should now be checked for EHV1. Vaccination programmes in France have recently changed and trainers should ensure that they follow current rules for that Country.
We are aware that the outbreak started in Valencia, Spain but cases are now reported in the following French Departments; Calvados, Haute Savoie, Hérault and Seine et Marne. Beyond France cases of EHV1 have been confirmed in Belgium, Germany & Switzerland.
It has also come to our attention that there maybe now a case in the United Kingdom.
Whilst this is not a notifiable disease an outbreak on the island will lead to the suspension of all horseracing activity at a crucial time in the build-up to the racing season as well as impact other equine pursuits and the threat to the island should be taken seriously.
If you are in any doubt, please contact us or your Vet.
Cancellation of fixture in Guernsey until 2022
5 February 2021
Following a request from the Guernsey Race Club the Race Meeting on 3rd May 2021 at L'Ancressse Racecourse, is cancelled due to the current Covid situation.
The Guernsey Race Club have indicated that they look forward to a return to racing in May 2022.
Cancellation of fixtures in Jersey until July
3 February 2021
Following the announcement by the Bailiff's Chamber that no mass gatherings will be permitted in Jersey until July at the earliest, all fixtures of the Jersey Race Club for April, May and June have been cancelled. It is hoped that a revised schedule of fixtures can be announced in due course for July, August and September.
Appointment of new Inspector of Courses
7 January 2021
The CIHA is pleased to announce the appointment of Mark Evans as its Inspector of Courses.
Cancellation of Racing in 2020
14 May 2020
In light of the Government's Safe-Exit Protocols and the inability to hold gatherings of more than 25 people when Level 1 is reached, the Jersey Race Club has requested that all of its fixtures in 2020 be cancelled. We agree with the Jersey Race Club that there is little prospect of Government permitting large public gatherings in the timeframe of the season and Government advice indicates an expectation that any sports which resume will be behind closed doors for a considerable period of time.
The Channel Islands are one of the few jurisdictions in the world that receive no public funding, whether through state ownership, grants or betting levies. Consequently, it is not financially viable for the Jersey Race Club to race behind closed doors.
The CIHA has therefore reluctantly agreed to this request pursuant to its powers under Rule (F) 10.3.1. of the Rules of Racing.
Coronavirus update
16 April 2020
In light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Jersey Race Club has requested that its fixtures on Sunday 14 June and Friday 26 June be cancelled.
The CIHA has acceded to this request pursuant to its powers under Rule (F) 10.3.1. of the Rules of Racing.
Equine Influenza - Vaccination Period
3 April 2020
The Channel Islands Horseracing Authority (CIHA) has today approved a proposal from its vets regarding the vaccination schedule for equine influenza in Channel Island trained racehorses.
The move has been made in order to help trainers, owners and vets tackle the significant logistical challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and provide clarity for all.
During the remainder of 2020, for a horse to be eligible to compete in the Channel Islands it will be necessary to have received an approved equine influenza vaccination within a year, instead of the existing eight-month requirement.
Coronavirus update
28 March 2020
In light of the ongoing coronavirus outbreak, the Jersey Race Club has requested that its fixtures on Sunday 10 May and Monday 25 May be cancelled.
The CIHA has acceded to this request pursuant to its powers under Rule (F) 10.3.1. of the Rules of Racing.
The Jersey Race Club has requested a replacement fixture on Sunday 13 September. The CIHA has (subject to the permission of the Bailiff) granted this request pursuant to its powers under Rule (F) 10.2. of the Rules of Racing and this date has been added to the Racing Calendar. Details of the race programme for 13 September will be published in due course.
16 March 2020
The CIHA has been liaising with other racing authorities across Europe in respect of the outbreak of coronavirus and has been keeping the Jersey Race Club up to date regarding developments across Europe.
Notwithstanding that there are no restrictions in place yet in Jersey on public gatherings, it became clear over the course of the weekend that the direction of travel across Europe is such that there was no realistic prospect of the Jersey Race Club’s fixture on 13 April being able to go ahead.
The CIHA therefore acceded to the request of the Jersey Race Club to cancel the Easter Monday fixture pursuant to its powers under Rule (F) 10.3.1. of the Rules of Racing.
The CIHA will continue to monitor the position and will comply with whatever directions are issued by the States of Jersey regarding sporting events on the Island.
Equine Strangles
3 February 2020
It has been confirmed on social media that there is another case of strangles in Jersey in a non-racing yard in the north west of the Island. As ever, we ask all trainers to observe strict bio-security measures at their yards.
Rule Changes
2 January 2020
The changes to the Rules of Racing proposed in the consultation are now in effect. Further details can be found here.
Consultation on Rule Changes
21 October 2019
The Authority is launching a consultation into its proposed changes to the Rules of Racing for 2020. Details of the rule changes and how to comment can be found here.
Equine Influenza - Vaccination Period
30 September 2019
The Authority is granting an additional grace period of one month in respect of equine flu boosters for the remainder of 2019 meaning 9 months between boosters for practical purposes. The period will revert to 8 months on 1 January 2020.
Equine Influenza - Vaccination Period
19 August 2019
The Authority has amended Rule (E)17 of the Rules of Racing regarding the maximum time permitted between booster vaccinations for equine influenza. The period has been increased from 6 months to 8 months in line with the British Horseracing Authority.
Clarification for UK Trainers entering horses to race in the Channel Islands
11th June 2019
The Channel Islands Horseracing Authority (the Authority) has received a number of requests from trainers based in the United Kingdom regarding the qualifications required for running a horse in the Islands.
If a trainer holds a ‘National Hunt Permit Licence’ or a ‘National Hunt Trainers Licence’ issued by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) then the CIHA will allow that trainer to enter dual purpose or flat horses to run at L’Ancresse or Les Landes Racecourse in flat races.
BHA licensed flat trainers are not allowed to enter hurdle races.
No Point-to-Point licensed trainers or jockeys may participate in racing in the islands.
All jockeys must hold a recognised BHA licence. Amateur Riders must hold a Category B amateur riders permit and will not be allowed to ride if they only hold a Category A riders permit.
Fully fledged professional flat jockeys are permitted to ride over hurdles. Apprentice jockeys are not.
For any further clarification please contact the Registry Office.
Jersey Race Club, Les Landes Racecourse
Monday 21st April - Easter Meeting
Sunday 11th May – Jersey Guineas
Saturday 24th May - Warwick Vase
Friday 13th June – Evening Meeting - St. Leger
Friday 27th June – Evening Meeting - Mid-Summer Evening
Friday 11th July – Evening Meeting - July Meeting
Sunday 27th July – Derby Day
Sunday 10th August – Ladies Day
Monday 25th August – Champions Day
(Champion Hurdle, Jersey Bullet, Clarendon)
Guernsey Race Club, L'Ancresse Racecourse
No meeting in 2025