The Régie des alcools, des courses et des jeux has published a draft regulation proposing amendments to Quebec’s rules governing Standardbred horse races held at amateur race tracks. The proposal would amend the Rules respecting Standardbred horse races held at an amateur race track under the Act respecting racing.

A central feature of the proposal is stronger race supervision and equipment control. For race programs with official performances, an equipment judge, electronic timer official and horse identifier would be required. A patrol judge could also be appointed. The equipment judge would inspect horses before races, maintain equipment cards, verify that equipment matches those records and report changes to the paddock judge. The patrol judge would monitor activity on the racing strip, communicate continuously with the racing judge and report violations, horse-condition concerns, equipment irregularities and other events that could affect a race.

The amendments would also modernize race-entry procedures. A declaration would be defined as receipt by the race secretary of a properly completed application for a horse to participate in a particular race. Declarations could be submitted in person or through an association-approved method that provides proof of receipt before the closing deadline. The proposal clarifies that late declarations generally cannot be accepted, except where an omission resulted from the error or negligence of a racing official or association employee.

Restrictions on participation would also be tightened and clarified. A horse could not be declared for more than one race on the same day, and required attestations would have to be filed at least one hour before the horse’s race. Generally, no more than two horses owned by the same owner or trained by the same trainer could be entered as separate betting interests in a purse or regular race, although stake races would be exempt. The proposal would also change rules concerning preference and post positions where multiple horses have common ownership or training relationships.

Several amendments address race equipment and track infrastructure. References to flexible posts would be added alongside existing provisions concerning hub rails, while certain equipment requirements would be revised or repealed. Rules governing how horses may be directed on the racing strip would also be adjusted, including provisions dealing with interference and possible unfair advantages.

The proposal places particular emphasis on official race times. Before a race time can become official, the distance between the starting and finishing lines must be measured three feet toward the outside of the track from the inside hub rail or flexible posts. The measurement must be certified by a civil engineer or land surveyor and repeated whenever the inside rail or flexible posts are moved. A separate provision would restrict corrections to published official times where a correction could favour a horse or its owner unless racing judges, after consulting the race timer, determine that an error should be corrected.

Quebec (Draft) August 19, 2026
Disclaimer: Insights are for informational purposes only and does not reflect RRI’s official position or constitute legal opinion.