Inquiry/Objection Template for Announcers
This template is designed to enable stewards to more easily provide an accurate and consistent message to announcers to allow them to inform the public about specific inquiries or objections while at the same time educating them about the actual rules and processes that are consistently used when officiating races.
Although the rules in racing jurisdictions are similar in intent, the wording of the rule is not. Stating the rule that is being used drives home the point to the public that the stewards aren’t just “making decisions as they go” but are carefully considering the specific rules that dictate the decisions they can make.
This template should be customized to allow the announcer to access information quickly that is accurate and specific to the jurisdiction. It will take a little bit of time at the beginning of the meet to “fill in the blanks” with the specific information and the rule numbers. But after that, in many cases, stewards can simply mark the statements applicable to the incident and the messaging to the public will the accurate and consistently presented. It will reinforce the fact that there are rules that must be followed in determining how incidents in the races must be adjudicated.
This template uses the process of analyzing race films that is taught by Level 1-accredited stewards and judges in the 60-Hour Accreditation School. It’s very structured and systematic and has been found to be very successful in teaching film analysis. It is just as valuable when used to communicate decisions to the wagering public via the announcer.
This template uses the ARCI Model Rules of Racing (in blue) as an example and to show how jurisdictional rules can be easily integrated.
A. Announcements immediately after the race while the stewards deliberate
1. If there is an inquiry
There has been an inquiry brought by the stewards into the running of the ____ race. The stewards are currently reviewing the running of the race and all the camera angles of the incident.
2. If there is an objection(s)
There has been an objection lodged by ______ (a participant name/or the number) in the _____ race regarding the running of the race. The stewards are currently reviewing the running of the race and all the camera angles of the incident.
3. If there is both an inquiry and objection(s)
There has been both an inquiry brought by the stewards, as well as an objection lodged by _________ a participant name or the number), into the running of the ____ race. The stewards are currently reviewing the running of the race and all the camera angles of the incident.
B. Announcement made after the stewards have determined the outcome of the inquiry/objection during the race
1. No interference/foul
After a full review of the race the stewards have determined that there was no interference in race that affected the outcome of the race or cost the horse(s) the opportunity for a better placing. Therefore, the original order of finish is unchanged.
2. Interference/foul with no change
-After a full review of the race and using Model Rule #3 (stating the applicable sections)
Model Rule (3) Maintaining a Straight Course
(a) When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course, but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse, it is a foul.
(b) The offending horse may be disqualified, if in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful or the result of careless riding.
(c) If the stewards determine the foul was intentional, or due to careless riding, the jockey may be held responsible.
(d) In a straightaway race, every horse must maintain position as nearly as possible in the lane in which it starts. If a horse is ridden, drifts or swerves out of its lane in such a manner that it interferes with, impedes or intimidates another horse, it is a foul and may result in the disqualification of the offending horse.
-The stewards have determined that although there was interference/foul in race, it did not affect the outcome of the race/cost the horse(s) the opportunity for a better placing. Therefore, the original order of finish is unchanged.
-Narrative of specific event/action in the race:
3. Interference/foul with disqualification
After a full review of the race and Using Model Rule #3 and #4 and #5 (stating the applicable sections)
The stewards have determined that there was interference/foul in race ____ and it was of a nature that did affect the outcome of the race/cost the horse(s) the opportunity for a better placing.
Narrative of specific event/action in the race:
The stewards have determined that Number (Horse name and number) is in violation of rule (interference rule number) which reads in part. (see rules provided below) Example: a horse that causes interference by jostling, intimidating or crossing over when not clear and causes another horse the opportunity of a better placing, may be disqualified. The stewards have ordered the disqualification of (Horse name and number) from 2nd to 3rd place.
Model Rule (3) Maintaining a Straight Course
(a) When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course, but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse, it is a foul.
(b) The offending horse may be disqualified, if in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful or the result of careless riding.
(c) If the stewards determine the foul was intentional, or due to careless riding, the jockey may be held responsible.
(d) In a straightaway race, every horse must maintain position as nearly as possible in the lane in which it starts. If a horse is ridden, drifts or swerves out of its lane in such a manner that it interferes with, impedes or intimidates another horse, it is a foul and may result in the disqualification of the offending horse.
Model Rule (4) Disqualification
(a) When the stewards determine that a horse shall be disqualified for interference, they may place the offending horse behind such horses as in their judgment it interfered with, or they may place it last.
(b) If a horse is disqualified for a foul, any horse or horses in the same race owned or trained by the same interests, whether coupled or uncoupled may also be disqualified.
Model Rule (5) Multiple Disqualifications.
Should the stewards determine that there is more than one incident of interference in a race where disqualification is warranted, the stewards shall deal with the incidents in the order in which the incident occurs during the race from start to finish; except in the case where the same horses are involved in multiple incidents. Once a horse has been disqualified, it should remain placed behind the horse with which it interfered. The stewards shall make a conscious effort to place and maintain as placed, every and all horses placed behind others for interference.
Therefor the final order of finish has been corrected to __ ___ ___ thus placing the interfering horse behind the horse/all of the horses it affected
4. The horse caused own problem
After a full review of the race the stewards have determined that the apparent interference in the race was caused by the horse in question. Therefore, the original finish order stands
Narrative of specific event/action in the race:
C. Announcement made after the stewards have determined the outcome of an issue at the gate
1. After a full review of the race and using Model Rule #1 (stating the applicable sections); The stewards have determined that the horse in question caused its own issues in the gate and in considered a starter for pari-mutuel purposes. Therefore, the order of the horses across the wire stands
Model Rule (1) The Start
(a) The starter is responsible for assuring that each participant receives a fair start.
(b) If the stewards suspect a false start has occurred, the shall post the inquiry sign and may disqualify the horse(s), declare it a non-starter, or take no action.
(c) If, when the starter dispatches the field, any door at the front of the starting gate stalls should not open properly due to a mechanical failure or malfunction or should any action by any starting personnel directly cause a horse to receive an unfair start, the stewards may declare such a horse a non-starter.
(d) Should a horse, not scratched prior to the start, not be in the starting gate stall thereby causing it to be left when the field is dispatched by the starter, the horse shall be declared a non-starter by the stewards.
(e) Should an accident or malfunction of the starting gate, or other unforeseeable event compromise the fairness of the race or the safety of race participants, the stewards may declare individual horses to be non-starters, exclude individual horses from all pari-mutuel pools or declare a "no contest" and refund all wagers except as otherwise provided in the rules involving multi-race wagers.
Narrative of specific event/action in the race:
2. After a full review of the race and Using Model Rule #1 (stating the applicable sections); The stewards have determined that the horse in question did not have the opportunity for a fair start and is considered a non-starter for pari-mutuel purposes and the monies wagered on that horse will be refunded or transferred to another horse in the race as per the pari-mutuel rules relating to the specific types of wagers
Model Rule (1) The Start
(a) The starter is responsible for assuring that each participant receives a fair start.
(b) If the stewards suspect a false start has occurred, the shall post the inquiry sign and may disqualify the horse(s), declare it a non-starter, or take no action.
(c) If, when the starter dispatches the field, any door at the front of the starting gate stalls should not open properly due to a mechanical failure or malfunction or should any action by any starting personnel directly cause a horse to receive an unfair start, the stewards may declare such a horse a non-starter.
(d) Should a horse, not scratched prior to the start, not be in the starting gate stall thereby causing it to be left when the field is dispatched by the starter, the horse shall be declared a non-starter by the stewards.
(e) Should an accident or malfunction of the starting gate, or other unforeseeable event compromise the fairness of the race or the safety of race participants, the stewards may declare individual horses to be non-starters, exclude individual horses from all pari-mutuel pools or declare a "no contest" and refund all wagers except as otherwise provided in the rules involving multi-race wagers.
Narrative of specific event/action in the race:
D. Announcement regarding rider penalties – clarifying to the public that rider actions are not a part of the evaluation of a disqualification for pari-mutuel purposes.
The determination of the disqualification of the horse for pari-mutuel purposes is based solely on the effect the horse’s action had on the outcome of the race.
The rider’s actions, or inaction, is not a part of the determination of interference affecting the race for parimutuel purposes. The actions of the riders, and any penalties that may be imposed due to those actions, will be determined the following day and the results of those decisions maybe found _________.
Model Rule (2) Interference, Jostling or Striking
(a) A jockey shall not ride carelessly or willfully so as to permit his/her mount to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse in the race.
(b) No jockey shall carelessly or willfully jostle, strike or touch another jockey or another jockey's horse or equipment.
(c) No jockey shall unnecessarily cause his/her horse to shorten its stride so as to give the appearance of having suffered a foul.
Model Rule (3) Maintaining a Straight Course
(a) When the way is clear in a race, a horse may be ridden to any part of the course, but if any horse swerves, or is ridden to either side, so as to interfere with, impede or intimidate any other horse, it is a foul.
(b) The offending horse may be disqualified, if in the opinion of the stewards, the foul altered the finish of the race, regardless of whether the foul was accidental, willful or the result of careless riding.
(c) If the stewards determine the foul was intentional, or due to careless riding, the jockey may be held responsible.
(d) In a straightaway race, every horse must maintain position as nearly as possible in the lane in which it starts. If a horse is ridden, drifts or swerves out of its lane in such a manner that it interferes with, impedes or intimidates another horse, it is a foul and may result in the disqualification of the offending horse.