The IHRC have decided that the 2012 penalty free season is to be extended to 20th May 2013.
- End of Season Lifts and Age related allowances where applicable for the 2012 season will be applied on 1st January 2013.
- Any Penalty Free earnings from the start of the Penalty Free period (i.e. 1st October 2012) will remain on the handicap earnings of a horse
- At the end of the Penalty Free period on the 21st May 2013 any Penalty Fre earnings of qualifying horses in qualifying races between 1st October 2012 and 20th May 2013 will be deducted
Penalty Free Criteria to the 20th May 2013
- Horse must be cleared for racing in the current season (i.e. owner must be licensed, trainer must be declared and licensed, race fee must be paid and relevant paperwork submitted)
- Total race purse must be €490 or less
- Maiden and Novice horses will not be included in Penalty Free (due to the earnings of Maiden and Novice horses not being applicable after the horse qualifies as Grade 1)
- Penalty Free runs will not be included in any End of Season Lifts
Penalty Free Criteria from 1st October 2013:
- Horse must have completed six betting races under IHRC Rules between 21st May and 30th September 2013
- Total race purse must be €490 or less
- Maiden and Novice horses will not be included in Penalty Free (due to the earnings of Maiden and Novice horses not being applicable after the horse qualifies as Grade 1)
- Penalty Free runs will not be included in any End of Season Lifts
Horses that are eligible under the above conditions and compete in Penalty Free races will have any prize money won added to their handicap through the Penalty Free period, and at the end of that period those horses will revert to the handicap mark applicable to them.
Any races that have a total purse in excess of €490 will not be classed as Penalty Free. All prize money paid out will be incurred as a handicap penalty on horses competing in these races.
Horses may compete in more than one Penalty Free race on the same fixture date (e.g. Heat and Final) provided that the races qualify under the above conditions and that section M32 of the IHRC Rules and Regulations is adhered to.
Horses that have not completed the relevant number of betting races are still eligible to compete during Penalty Free periods but will incur a handicap penalty on any winnings as in standard racing.
Maiden and Novice horses will not be included in Penalty Free racing due to the fact that earnings as Maiden and Novice are not carried through the handicap after the horse qualifies as Grade 1.
