R 431.3230 Apprentice allowance and contract.

Rule 3230. (1) Any person 16 years of age or older who has never been previously licensed as a jockey in any country and who is qualified under the provisions of R 431.3225 may claim in all purse races, except stakes and handicaps, the following weight allowances: (a) Except as otherwise provided in this subrule, five pounds. This allowance shall continue for 1 year from the date of the apprentice jockey's fifth win. If the apprentice has not ridden 40 winners in the 1-year period, the allowance shall continue for a period of not more than 3 years from the date of the apprentice's first win until he or she has ridden 40 winners. Wins at recognized meetings where the rules do not permit apprentice allowances shall not count as wins with respect to this subdivision. (b) After completion of the conditions specified in subdivision (a) of this subrule, a contracted apprentice, for 1 year, may claim 3 pounds when riding horses owned or trained by his or her original contract employer. The holder of the contract when an apprentice rides his or her first winner shall be considered the original contract employer. (2) An apprentice jockey may enter into a contract with an owner or trainer qualified under R 431.3235 for a period of not less than 3, nor more than 5, years. Such contracts shall be approved by the stewards and filed with the executive director. Such contracts shall be binding in all respects on the signatories thereof. An apprentice who is not contracted shall be given an apprentice jockey certificate on a form furnished by the executive director. (3) If an apprentice is unable to ride for a period of 14 consecutive days or more because of service in the Armed Forces of the United States, physical disablement, or restrictions on racing, the stewards, after consultation with the racing authority which first approved the original apprentice contract or certificate, may extend the time during which such apprentice weight allowance may be claimed for a period not longer than the period such apprentice jockey was unable to ride. (4) After satisfying the conditions specified in subrule (1) of this rule, a rider shall be issued a license as a jockey before accepting subsequent mounts. Under these circumstances, the executive director may waive collection of an additional license fee.