NOTICERACING INDUSTRY PERSONNEL
CRITERIA FOR THE ISSUE OF OCCUPATIONAL PERMITS
GENERAL NOTES:Applications for Occupational Permits must be made by answering all questions on
the prescribed application forms which may be obtained at the Welfare Office,Caymanas Park, or at the Jamaica Racing Commission, 8 Winchester Road,
Kingston 10.
Permits will be granted only to applicants who are in good standing with theJamaica Racing Commission and in respect of whom there are no factors to cause
disqualification.
Permits will be granted in the absolute discretion of the Commission as provided
by Rule 15 (1), 138 (1) and 154 of the Racing Rules, 1977.
Each applicant for a new permit or for renewal of an existing permit must indicate
on the application form whether the application is new or a renewal by deleting
the word not relevant from the heading “New/Renewal”. The applicant must
attach to the completed form, one (1) recent passport sized photograph, in thecase of a new applicant and one (1) in the case of a renewal one every five years,
with submission of the application.
Applicants under the age of sixteen years will not be considered for OccupationalPermit. Proof of age may be required.
Applicants who have been convicted of a criminal offence other than for a breachof the Road traffic Act may be denied Occupational Permits.
All applicants must be able to read and write up to level- Easy HEART
Permission will not be granted by the Commission for a licensed Trainer, AssistantTrainer, Groom, Stable Assistant, Farrier, Assistant Farrier, Exercise Rider or
Jockey’s Agent to hold a Jockey’s Permit concurrently.
The licence year begins on February 1 of a prescribed year and ends on January
31 of the subsequent year. Permits will therefore be granted effective from thedate approved and will be valid until the 31st of January of the subsequent year.
All new Grooms and Exercise Riders who have not held an occupational licence inany of the occupational groups other than that of a Stable Assistant, must havebeen licensed as a Stable Assistant for a period of not less than twelve (12)calendar months, prior to applying for such Groom’s or Exercise Rider’spermit/licence.
Each applicant must apply for membership in the Life, Health and PersonalAccident Group Insurance Scheme, by paying the relevant premium.

1

N.B.
NO PERMIT WILL BE GRANTED UNTIL THE RELEVANT INSURANCEPREMIUM HAS BEEN PAID
TRAINERS (RENEWAL OF PERMIT) – FOR PERSONS LICENSED THE
IMMEDIATE PREVIOUS YEAR
1.

An applicant should have at least one horse under his/her care. In theevent that a trainer does not have at least one horse under his/her careduring the period of the Permit, the Commission reserves the right towithdraw the said Permit.

2.

The applicant should possess suitable stable facilities at Caymanas Parkpursuant to Rule 155 of the Racing Rules, 1977. Failure to maintain suchfacilities may result in the withdrawing of the said Permit.

3.

The applicant must present an up-to-date Wage Book to the Welfare Officer
for inspection and approval. FOR TRAINERS LAST LICENSED IN 2020,THE UP-TO-DATE WAGE BOOK MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY PROOF
OF PAYMENT OF STATUTORY DEDUCTIONS FOR ALL LICENSEDEMPLOYEES FOR THE YEAR 2020 AND PROOF OF THE TAXRETURNS FOR THE YEAR 2019. TRAINERS LAST LICENSED PRIORTO THE YEAR 2020 MUST SATISFY THE ABOVE REQUIREMENT FORTHE YEAR IN WHICH THEY WERE LAST LICENSED.

4.

A Permit will not be issued to an applicant who at the time of application isin breach of the Racing Rules.

5.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

NEW TRAINERS
An applicant for a Permit:
1.

should have served the required apprenticeship period of 4 years as an
Assistant Trainer; or in the case of a Jockey or a Groom who has served 10years in such position, a required apprenticeship period of 3 years as anAssistant Trainer;

2.

should have had progress reports/recommendations submitted by theTrainers to whom he/she is attached in the form prescribed by theCommission;3.

should have attended the approved training courses and have beensuccessful in the examination set by the Jamaica Racing Commission.

4.

is required to furnish letter(s) of intent from owners indicating theirwillingness to engage the applicant to train horse(s) if and when a Permit isgranted.

5.

is required to name all the horses he/she will be training and state thelocation or barn number at which the horses will be stabled at Caymanas
Park, and in addition present a written document from the promoter statingthat the applicant will be allotted a stable/stall, if a permit is granted.

26.

is required to otherwise satisfy the Commission as to his/her being a fit andproper person to hold a Trainer’s licence.

7.

each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

Applicants who are licensed Trainers overseas who have not satisfied items (1),(2) and (3) above will, in addition to items (4), (5), (6) and (7) above, be required
to submit:(a)documentary evidence of training activities including careerrecords, or if none exist, subject to the Commission’s discretion,
documentary proof of training ability;(b)

official clearance from the Racing Authority of the country
in which they were licensed.

Within three months of the grant of the Permit, each new Trainer will be requiredto:(a)furnish valid Training Agreements for not less than four
horses in training under his/her care. In the event the number ofhorses in his/her care falls below four during the period of thePermit, the Commission reserves the right to withdraw the Permit.

(b)show that suitable training facilities at Caymanas Park are in place
for the care, training and security of the horses, failing which theCommission reserves the right to withdraw the Permit.

ASSISTANT TRAINERS (NEW & RENEWAL)
1.

2.

Applicants will be required to satisfy the Commission that they:(a)will be continuously assisting the licensed Trainers, who
had signed their applications, and to whom they will beattached, in the training and care of racehorses; and,(b)are otherwise suitable to hold Permits.

Trainers will be permitted to employ Assistant Trainers as follows:(a)a Trainer with 10-24 horses in training will be eligible for
one Assistant Trainer; and,(b)a Trainer with 25 or more horses in training will be eligible
for two Assistant Trainers.

3.

Trainers to whom Assistants are attached will be required to report to theJamaica Racing Commission annually on the progress of their Assistants.
The required forms for this report are provided by the Commission.

4.

(a)

Assistant Trainers (who were not Jockeys or Grooms for10 years) who wish to apply for a Trainer’s Permit, must
attend, on a regular basis, lectures and training courses approved by
the Jamaica Racing Commission. In addition, they will be required
to successfully sit examinations in the third and fourth years of theirapprenticeship.

3(b)Assistant Trainers (who are ex-Jockeys or Grooms and wereLicensed for 10 years) who wish to apply for Trainers’ permits, must
attend on a regular basis, lectures and training courses approved by
the Jamaica Racing Commission. In addition, they will be required
to successfully sit examinations in the second and third years of theirapprenticeship.

5.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

6.

Each applicant may be required to furnish his/her birth certificate or
passport as proof of age and proper name.

APPLICANTS ARE REMINDED THAT, AFTER ASSISTANT TRAINERS’PERMITS ARE ISSUED, THE HOLDERS MAY NOT ATTACH THEMSELVESTO ANY OTHER TRAINER WITHOUT THE PERMISSION OF THE JAMAICA
RACING COMMISSION
APPRENTICE JOCKEYS
1.

New applicants must have successfully completed the required course ofstudy at the Jockeys’ Training School operated by the Jamaica Racing
Commission.

2.

Each applicant (New/Renewal) must submit a medical report on theprescribed form completed by a Medical Officer(s) as directed by theCommission.

3.

Each applicant’s (New/renewal) bodyweight should not exceed 55kilograms.

4.

Each applicant (New/Renewal) must have his/her completed application
signed by his/her Apprentice Master.

5.

Each applicant must return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof being granted the permit.

JOCKEYS (RENEWAL)
1.

Each applicant must submit a medical report on the prescribed form,completed by a Medical Officer(s) as directed by the Commission.

2.

Each applicant’s body weight should not exceed 55 kilograms.

3.

Each applicant must return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof being granted the Permit.

4JOCKEYS (NEW)1.

Applicants will be considered only if they are:(a)

Graduates of the Jockeys’ Training school or;(b)

Jamaicans who had Jockeys’ licenses overseas and are able topresent official clearance and career records from the Racing
Authority of the country in which they were based; or;(c)

Non-Jamaicans who hold Jockeys’ licenses overseas andare able to present official clearances and career records from theRacing Authority of the country in which they were based, and valid
work permits, entitling then to work in Jamaica.

2.

Applicants must submit medical reports, on the prescribed forms,completed by the Medical Officers(s) as directed by the Commission.

3.

Each applicant must return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

JOCKEYS – DAY LICENCE
1.

Each applicant shall submit a completed application form, which shall beaccompanied by a recent photograph of the applicant.

2.

Each applicant shall also submit a completed “Application for a Jockey’s Day
Licence” form duly signed by a trainer stating his/her intent to declare suchjockey on at least one named horse.

3.

Both application forms must be submitted and paid for at the registry office
to facilitate processing in a timely manner.

4.

Each applicant who is licensed or was last licensed in another jurisdiction
must present to the Stewards a letter of clearance/good standing from suchjurisdiction.

5.

Each applicant who is not a Jamaican citizen must present the relevant
work permit or waiver thereof, (in respect of the period he or she isscheduled to ride), issued by the Ministry of Labour.

6.

Applicants must submit medical reports, on the prescribed forms,
completed by the Medical Officers(s) as directed by the Commission.

7.

Each applicant must return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Operations Stewards may waive the test for
illegal/controlled substance(s) and medical report for an applicant requiring a“Jockey’s Day Licence”.

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“ALL JOCKEYS AND APPRENTICE JOCKEYS ARE REMINDED
THAT SHOULD THE COMMISSION RECEIVE AND ACCEPTINFORMATION THAT SUCH LICENSEE IS INVOLVED IN“TOUTING” I.E. SOLICITING OR ACCEPTING MONEY,PROMISE OR ANYTHING OF VALUE, IN EXCHANGE FORINFORMATION ON THE WINNING CHANCE OF A HORSE
RUNNING IN A RACE AT CAYMANAS PARK, HIS OR HER
LICENCE MAY BE WITHDRAWN”
GROOMS AND STABLE ASSISTANTS (NEW)All new Grooms who have not previously held an occupational licence must belicensed as a Stable Assistant for an accumulated period of at twelve months priorto applying for a Groom’s licence.
1.

All applicants applying for a Stable Assistant’s licence must be between theages of 16- 40 years old.

2.

Each applicant must attain a minimum HEART level- Easy.

3.

Each applicant will be required to sit and pass a literacy test set by theCommission.

4.

Each applicant will be required to furnish his/her birth certificate or
passport as proof of age and proper name.

5.

Each application must be accompanied by the recommendation of alicensed Trainer attesting to the applicant’s character and ability plus thewillingness to employ the said applicant in his/her stable.

6.

Trainers who are recommending a Stable Assistant’s licence should have
Registered Training Agreements of five (5) horses for each Stable Assistant.

7.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

GROOMS (RENEWALS)
1.

Applications must be signed by licensed trainers indicating their willingness
to employ said applicants if and when permits are renewed.

2.

Applicants must possess satisfactory personal records.

3.

Any grooms with no starters during the previous year of license and showsno evidence of their name in the Wage book of a trainer, maybe eligible for
an interview with the Stewards.

4.

Evidence of Wage book and statutory deductions must be shown by
trainers requesting the service of a groom.

5.

Applicants may be required to furnish their passport or birth certificate as
proof of age and proper name.

66.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

STABLE ASSISTANTS (RENEWALS)
Applications must be signed by licensed trainers indicating their willingness toemploy said applicants if and when permits are renewed.
1. Applicants must possess satisfactory personal records.
2. Applicants who served 12 months as a Stable Assistant maybe interview by
the Stewards, if they are applying for the same position.
3. A trainer recommending the renewal of a Stable Assistant’s licence will be
eligible to employ one (1) Stable Assistant for every five (5) horses in hisstable.
4. Applicants may be required to furnish their passport or birth certificate as
proof of age and proper name.
5. Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

EXERCISE RIDERS (RENEWAL)
1.

Each application must be accompanied by an affidavit signed by five (5)licensed Trainers indicating their willingness to contract the applicant as an
Exercise-Rider.

2.

Applicants must possess satisfactory personal records.

3.

Applicants may be required to sit literacy tests.

4.

Applicants may be required to furnish proof of age and proper name (birthcertificate or passport only).

5.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s) conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

6.

Each applicant must be certified medically fit by the Doctor(s) appointed by
the Commission for this purpose.

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EXERCISE RIDERS (NEW)Each applicant who was not previously licensed as a member of the OccupationalGroup (Groom, Jockey, Trainer, Assistant Trainer) must have been licensed as aStable Assistant for an accumulated period of at least twelve months prior toapplying for an Exercise Rider’s licence.
1.

Each applicant must attain a minimum HEART level- Easy.

2.

Each applicant may be required to sit and pass a literacy test set by theCommission.

3.

Each application must be accompanied by an affidavit signed by five (5)licensed Trainers indicating their willingness to contract the applicant as an
Exercise-Rider.

4.

Applicants must possess satisfactory personal records.

5.

Applicants must produce proof of age and proper name (birth certificate or
passport only).

6.

Each applicant must be certified medically fit and competent by theDoctor(s) and Committee appointed by the Commission for this purpose.

7.

Applicants may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s), conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

8.

Each applicant must submit a certificate of competence signed by thestarter.

FARRIERS AND ASSISTANT FARRIERS (RENEWAL)
1.

Each applicant may be required to furnish his/her birth certificate or
passport as proof of age and proper name.

2.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s), conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

FARRIERS AND ASSISTANT FARRIERS (NEW)1.

Each applicant must attain a minimum HEART level- Easy.

2.

Each applicant will be required to sit and pass a literacy test set by theCommission.

3.

Each applicant will be required to furnish his/her birth certificate or
passport as proof of age and proper name.

4.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s), conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

8JOCKEYS’ AGENTS (RENEWAL)
1.

Each applicant is allowed the agency of a maximum of four Jockeys at any
time which may include a maximum of two Apprentice Jockeys or Jockeys
who are graduates of the Jamaica Racing Commission Jockeys School andare still under contract with the Commission.

2.

Each applicant may be required to furnish his/her birth certificate or
passport as proof of age and proper name.

3.

Each application for a Jockeys’ Agent’s licence shall be accompanied by atleast one (1) Jockeys’ Agent agreement with a licensed Jockey.

4.

Each applicant may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s), conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

JOCKEYS’ AGENTS (NEW)1.

Each applicant must attain a minimum HEART level- Easy.

2.

Each applicant will be required to sit and pass a literacy test set by theCommission.

3.

Each applicant must be at least 21 years old at the time of application.

4.

Each applicant will be required to furnish his/her birth certificate orpassport as proof of age and proper name.

5.

Applicants may be required to return a negative finding from tests forillegal/controlled substance(s), conducted by the Commission as a conditionof granting the Permit.

6.

Each application for a Jockeys’ Agent’s licence shall be accompanied by atleast one (1) Jockeys’ Agent agreement with a licensed Jockey.

NOTE
1.

TRAINERS ARE REMINDED THAT STABLE-ASSISTANTS ARE A PART OF
THE BROADER CATEGORY CALLED “STABLE-EMPLOYEES’ AND THEIRNAMES MUST APPEAR IN THE WAGE BOOK OF THE TRAINERS TO WHOMTHEY ARE ATTACHED.

2.

IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL PERSONS IN THE INDUSTRY WHO HAVENOT ATTAINED THE MINIMUM REQUIRED LITERACY LEVEL (I.E. LEVEL 4JAMAL) SHOULD HAVE THEIR LITERACY SKILLS UPGRADED.

JAMAICA RACING COMMISSION5TH JANUARY, 20219