When one is passionate about horses, breeding and racing can be quite fulfilling and exhilarating. But, like anything else, there is the administrative side that can become arduous for those that might not have the experience.

Since 1906, the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) has been the official registrar for all thoroughbreds born in Canada under the Animal Pedigree Act and we would like to take this time to give a quick review of the process.

Below is a step-by-step overview of the registration process for foals born in Canada:

1. Dual Registered
Canadian-breds must be duel registered with both The Jockey Club (TJC) and the CTHS to make them eligible to run in Canadian restricted races, provincial restricted races and provincial breeder bonuses.

2. Timeline
Breeders/Owners have one year from the date of foaling to submit all requirements to both TJC and CTHS to avoid late fee penalties.

3. Live Foal/No Foal Report
Breeders/Owners are required to submit a live foal/no foal report to TJC within 30 days of foaling. This report triggers the Registration/DNA Application Kit to be issued. A No-Foal Report indicates that no foal will be registered that year for any of the indicated reasons.

4. Requirements
Dual Registered means registered as a thoroughbred with The Jockey Club and registered with CTHS as a registered Canadian-bred thoroughbred. All requirements must be completed before the deadline to be registered without penalty.

A) The Jockey Club: Registration Application

• DNA, hair sample will prove parentage.

• Microchip, implanted in either (your choice) neck or nasal area (upper lip area) and microchip number reported on Registration Application as well as on the Canadian-Bred Declaration Form.

• Photos, minimum four clear colour photos are needed showing full views of (top of ears to bottom of feet); left side, right side, rear and front. Close-up photo of head and of any white chin or lip markings is recommended.

• Markings, please write clear and detailed descriptions of any WHITE markings.

Cowlicks, look closely and mark all cowlicks/whorls on the form. Every horse has a cowlick on both the left and right side of the neck.

Registration Fee, in USD.

Stallion Service Certificate (SSC), can be released by the stallion owner after the stud fee has been paid. Contact the stallion owner to arrange for the SSC to be released.

B) The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS)

• CTHS Membership, the CTHS asks Breeders registering a foal be members of the CTHS with a completed & signed Membership Form on file and applicable fees paid.

• Canadian Registration Fee, see Timelines Section.

• Canadian-bred Declaration Form, is enclosed with the Registration/DNA Application kit. The form needs to be completed, signed and returned to the CTHS National Office.

• Provincial Requirements, some provinces require additional forms to be completed to gain Provincial Status.

Foals born in Ontario require the Ontario Resident Mare Declaration Form be completed, signed by the breeder and submitted. If someone other than the Breeder is completing this form, then an Authorized Agent form signed by the breeder is required to be on file with the CTHS.

Foals born in provinces other than where the breeder/owner resides require the Out of Province Foaling Certificate be completed, signed and submitted.

* All forms can be found online at the CTHS National Office website, www.cthsnational.com under the forms section.

5. Digital Registration Certificates and Certificate Manager
Starting with the 2018 foal crop, Jockey Club Registration Certificates will be issued digitally. That means that there will be no paper certificate issued for foal crops of 2018 and on. The CTHS will be going digital as well.

How to get your Digital Certificate:
You need to have an Interactive Registration (IR) Account with The Jockey Club. If you have already been submitting your registration applications online, it is the same account. If you do not have an account, you may sign up for one at: www.registry.jockeyclub.com

If you are unfamiliar with computers or do not have one, you may assign authorized person(s) to be the “Certificate Manager” such as family member, friend, agent, trainer, CTHS Division or CTHS National Office.

Registration Applications for 2018 and on:
On the Registration Application in Section E “Digital Certificate Manager”, it asks who the “Certificate Manager” is. This is the person/the account that the Digital Certificate will be sent to. This is just like the name and address of the person receiving the paper Certificate previously, only now it is digital.

The Digital Certificate(s) will NOT BE ISSUED until a Certificate Manager is named.

If you have questions, please contact the CTHS National Office (416 675-1370).

A more detailed version of this document can be found on the CTHS National Website.