Oklahoma Administrative Code
Title 325 - Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission
Chapter 35 - General Conduct
Section 325:35-1-5 - Trainer responsibility

(a) The Trainer is presumed to know the rules of racing and is responsible for the condition, soundness, and eligibility of the horses s/he enters in a race. The Trainer shall conduct his/her business of training racehorses with reasonable care and skill and in a humane manner, and with due regard to the interests of his/her Owners and to the safety of employees and Agents and of the horses in his/her care. Should the chemical analysis, urine or otherwise, taken from a horse under his/her supervision show the presence of any substance except as otherwise provided for in Chapter 45, it shall be taken as prima facie evidence that the same was administered by or with the knowledge of the Trainer or person or persons under his/her supervision having care or custody of such horse. Under the provisions of this Section, the Trainer is also responsible for any puncture mark on any horse s/he enters in a race, found by the Stewards upon recommendation of the Racing or Official Veterinarian to evidence injection by syringe. If the Trainer cannot be present on race days s/he shall designate an Assistant Trainer. Such designation shall be made prior to time of entry, unless otherwise approved by the Stewards. Failure to fully disclose the actual Trainer of a horse participating in an approved race shall be grounds to disqualify the horse and subject the actual Trainer to possible disciplinary action by the Stewards or the Commission. Designation of an Assistant Trainer shall not relieve the Trainer's absolute responsibility for the conditions and eligibility of the horse, but shall place the Assistant Trainer under such absolute responsibility also. Willful failure on the part of the Trainer to be present at, or refusal to allow the taking of any specimen, or any act or threat to prevent or otherwise interfere therewith shall be cause for disqualification of the horse involved; and the matter shall be referred to the Stewards for further action.

(b) In addition to the responsibilities of (a) of this Section, a Trainer has the following specific responsibilities:

(c) No Trainer duty or responsibility, whether listed in (a) or (b) of this Section or not, may be assigned to any person who is ineligible to hold a license or who is under suspension in this or any other racing jurisdiction.

(d) No licensed Trainer shall assume any of the responsibilities described in this Section for a horse not under his/her active care, supervision or custody.

(e) Trainers who are summarily suspended or suspended for more than sixty (60) days shall not be permitted to transfer their horses to family. A suspended trainer shall not provide financial assistance to, or have communication concerning care, custody, or control with a receiving trainer, once a transfer has been completed.