DUAL LICENSE RULE GETS THE GREEN LIGHT IN QUEENSLAND. IT COMES INTO EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 5

By HRO | Friday, November 2, 2018

On the back of the recent prize money increases there has been more evidence of positive movement for Queensland Racing with QRIC releasing a press statement today confirming that dual licenses will now be allowed in Queensland. The new rule will come into effective from Monday, November 5. The statement reads:

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) has approved an amendment to the Thoroughbred Licensing Scheme allowing Trainers and Jockeys to hold both licences with the new rule being effective from November 5.

Commissioner Ross Barnett said the change that will come into effect on Monday, 5 November allowing for dual licences permits jockeys to hold more than one licence in the Queensland racing industry, giving them the ability to train horses as well if they meet the licence requirements.

“It had been a long held view that that the associated responsibilities of each licence category were separate and distinct and allowing a participant to engage in both activities was an integrity risk,” he said.

“In recent years our interstate counterparts have progressively moved towards trainer/jockey dual licences with conditions, but jockeys in Queensland have been restricted to riding only.

“We have consulted with the respective Jockey and Trainers’ associations and have agreed that there will still be appropriate regulatory oversight of the industry for jockeys while enabling an increase in career pathways and sustainability with the expanded capacity through the incoming dual licensing provisions.”

Queensland Jockey’s Association (QJA) president Glen Prentice supports the move which benefits the association’s members.

“The QJA congratulates QRIC on today’s announcement of the Dual Licence Jockey/Trainer category,” Mr Prentice said.

“It provides Queensland jockeys with an important opportunity to properly plan a career pathway from jockey to trainer. Career transitioning is never easy, but this initiative will certainly go a long way to assist in this important area.”

There are new conditions associated with holding a dual Trainer/Jockey licence including:

*A Trainer/Jockey Licence Holder shall not, train in partnership with another trainer;

*No person who has been granted permission to train in partnership with another trainer shall be eligible for consideration for a Trainer/Jockey Licence;

*A Trainer/Jockey Licence holder shall be entitled to train no more than five (5) horses at any given time as registered by the lodgement of stable returns pursuant to the Rules.

*A Trainer/Jockey Licence holder shall not have any ownership interest in any horse.