At a recent IHRC Committe meeting a decision was taken to bring forward the penalty free season to commence from Saturday 21st September subject to the terms and conditions confirmed earlier this year. It was felt that this might help to sustain racing at the back end of the season in a year in which the number of runners has been in decline. A decision will be taken at a later stage in relation to the continuation of penalty free into the beginning of the 2014 season.
Penalty Free Criteria from 21st September 2013:
- Horse must have completed six betting races under IHRC Rules between 21st May and 20th September 2013
- Total race purse must be €490 or less
- Maiden and Novice horses will not be included in Penalty Free (due to the earnings of Maiden and Novice horses not being applicable after the horse qualifies as Grade 1)
- Penalty Free runs will not be included in any End of Season Lifts
Horses that are eligible under the above conditions and compete in Penalty Free races will have any prize money won added to their handicap through the Penalty Free period, and at the end of that period those horses will revert to the handicap mark applicable to them.
Any races that have a total purse in excess of €490 will not be classed as Penalty Free. All prize money paid out will be incurred as a handicap penalty on horses competing in these races.
Horses may compete in more than one Penalty Free race on the same fixture date (e.g. Heat and Final) provided that the races qualify under the above conditions and that section M32 of the IHRC Rules and Regulations is adhered to.
Horses that have not completed the relevant number of betting races are still eligible to compete during Penalty Free periods but will incur a handicap penalty on any winnings as in standard racing.
