Model Rules & Standards

The ARCI Model Rules of racing and wagering are recognized worldwide as a standard for the independent and impartial regulation of horse and greyhound racing as well as the conduct of pari-mutuel wagering.
In some racing jurisdictions, the Model Rules have the force of law as they have been adopted by reference statutorily or through a regulatory rule making. In others they form the basis upon which rules are written ensuring substantial uniformity in the regulation of the sport.

About Model Rules

The development of Model Rules, standards, and best practices is an ongoing project of ARCI member agencies.

Relying upon the collective expertise of regulatory personnel in member jurisdictions in consultation with regulated entities, industry stakeholders, fans and individuals, ARCI committees consider ways to improve and enhance the regulation of racing.

The Model Rules are all encompassing. They affect thoroughbred, standardbred, quarter horse, and greyhound racing. Regulatory entities are encouraged to adopt the Model Rules by reference as a way to enhance uniformity of regulation in a sport that has evolved to be multi-jurisdictional.

To ensure the quality of drug testing programs as well as to ensure the security of the wagering system, ARCI has adopted standards for drug testing labs as well as the totalizator systems that process the individual wagers of millions of racing fans.

Next Meeting & Pending Proposals

The next Model Rules meeting will be held at the ARCI Summer Meeting at The Saratoga Hilton, Saratoga, New York on August 12, 2024. Agenda and materials will be available closer to the meeting date.

Propose a Rule

The ARCI Model Rules Committee meets three times each year to consider modifications that have been forwarded to it by other committees. Members of the public and racing industry are welcome to propose Model Rule language.

Proposals must be submitted using this form (Proposed Model Rule Form) and should be emailed to [email protected] or mailed to 2365 Harrodsburg Road, Suite B450, Lexington, KY 40504. Committee meetings are open to the public.

Current Model Rules and Standards

Model Rules Version 13.1 — August 2024 Update (PDF Version)

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

1. Section ARCI-010-030 - Added (31) - limitations for toe grabs on quarter horses

2. Section ARCI-022-015 - Amended to define owner's beneficial interest

3. Section ARCI-020-015 - Amended to define when judges are required to be in the stand

4. Section ARCI-023-015 - Amended to define splitting divisions in harness races

5. Section ARCI-024-030 - Amended to require taped hobbles and driving lines

6. Section ARCI-021-020 - Added N - requiring warning light system at every extended pari-mutuel track (Harness)

7. Section ARCI-021-020 - Amended A (6-9) - to define requirements for presence of human ambulance during racing hours

Model Rules Version 13.1 — August 2024 Update (WORD Version)

Historical Horse Racing Standards Version 1.0 — April 2023

Controlled Therapeutic Medication Schedule for Horses Version 4.2.1 — December 2020 Update

New Content

Uniform Classification Guidelines and Recommended Penalties Model Rule Version 18.0 — March 2024 Update

The following changes were made to the UCG:

1. Fritillaria alkaloids modified to Drug Class 4, Penalty B.

Uniform Drug Testing Lab Standards

ARCI Endogenous, Dietary, or Environmental Substances Schedule Version 4.1 — December 2019 Update

ARCI Totalizator System Standards — December 2020 Update

Model Rules Archive

Please note: Current version of ARCI Model Rules is 13.1

Model Rules Version 13.0 - March 2024 Update (PDF Version)

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

Section 006-015 & 020-015 were modified to remove ROAP as the designated accreditation program for stewards and judges.

Model Rules Version 12.1.3 — December 2023 Update (PDF Version)

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

1. Section 008-010 & 022-010 were modified to include language about illegal racing subject to future resolution.

Model Rules Version 12.1.3 — December 2023 Update (Word Version)

Model Rules Version 12.1.1 — July 2023 Update

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

Typo correction in ARCI-007-025 Operations, Subsection A which listed a 45 hour restriction on substances. It was corrected to 48 hours.
Correction of several spelling errors.

Model Rules Version 12.1 — June 2023 Update

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

007-025 OPERATIONS; Subsection A. Security – changed Restricted Administration Time from 24 hours to 48 hours with list of exceptions.
007-025 OPERATIONS; Added Subsection J – Biosecurity Protocols (Flat Racing) Protocols provided in Appendix A
011-015 PROHIBITED PRACTICES – changed Restricted Administration Time from 24 hours to 48 hours.
011-023 TESTING; Added Subsection G – Results Management Reporting – Reporting requirements for ADMC results on annual basis
021-025 OPERATIONS; Added Subsection G – Biosecurity Protocols (Harness Racing) Protocols provided in Appendix A
024-035 RACING RULES; Added Subsection O – No Contest Rule – provides guidance for Judges for consideration of declare a heat or race a no contest
Added Appendix A – Biosecurity Protocols from AAEP which are referenced in 007-025 J and 021-025 G.

Model Rules Version 12.0 — April 2023 Update

The following changes were made to the Model Rules:

Section ARCI-004-050 was added detailing the rules for Historical Horse Racing
Section ARCI-004-105 Part II detailing rules for instant racing was removed.

Model Rules Version 11.1 — July 2022 Update

The following language was added to ARCI-023-020 Claiming Races:

(11) A claim shall be voided if a horse is a starter and the horse:

(1) Dies on the racetrack; or

(2) Suffers an injury which requires the euthanasia of the horse, as
determined by a State veterinarian, while the horse is on the racetrack.

(12) A claim is voidable at the sole discretion of the new owner, for a period of up to 1 hour after the race is made official, for any horse that:

(1) Is vanned off the track after the race at the discretion of the State or racetrack Veterinarian; or

(2) Is sent to the detention barn and observed to be lame by the State Veterinarian.

Model Rules Version 11.0 — December 2021

Footnote added to thyroxine noting the requirement of a hypothyroid diagnosis.

Model Rules Version 10.1 — November 2021

Minor clerical correction from Version 10.0, Scale of weights was referenced but not included at ARCI-010-020 Weights, (D) Scale of Weights

Model Rules Version 10.0 — May 2021

Model Rules Version 9.5 — December 2020

Model Rules Version 9.3 — October 2020

Model Rules Version 9.2 — December 2019

Model Rules Version 9.1 — August 2019

Model Rules Version 9.0 — April 2019

Model Rules Version 8.5 — December 2018

Model Rules Version 8.4.1 — September 2018