The 1977 Jamaica Racing Commission (JRC) Racing Rules make for interesting analysis and, therefore, prospects for change. Consequently, many of the practices of the promoting companies informed by the rules fall into this category as well. There are several areas where decisions made in the past by the boards of the two entities are no longer relevant or practical in the 2026 environment.

Let’s take a look at some of the rules that should either be amended or abandoned as time wears on, starting with Rule#44. The incidence of unruly horses at the start is now a frequent occurrence. “Permission may be granted by two of the stewards by the trainer or groom to lead the horse to the post.” Trainers and grooms are aware of the temperament of their charges and should be allowed to take advantage of this at their discretion without requiringany such permission.

Rule#25 in part states: “The promoter is the sole person responsible to the Stewards for the general arrangements of the meeting…” This surely includes an ambulance with a registered medical doctor; however, according to Rule#50, it is the Starter who has the power to “send back to the Paddock any jockey who in his opinion is intoxicated or otherwise incapacitated”.