Horse racing contracts for racing professionals
In the world of horse racing, every contractual relationship must be rigorously regulated to ensure the legal security of transactions and compliance with horseracing regulations. Inscio Avocats offers expertise dedicated to companies in the sector: trainers of harness racehorses, flat and jumping racehorses, owners and professional investors.
Boarding contracts – Securing accommodation and care
The boarding contract is essential for regulating the care of the horse.
It distinguishes between accommodation services (subject to a reinforced obligation of means) and training services (subject to a simple obligation of means).
Our contracts include, in particular:
- An analysis of the legal risks relating to your activity
- A precise description of the services provided (stalls, paddocks, care, handling)
- Guidance on your contractual liability
- Prevention of disputes and limitation of the risk of non-payment
These elements protect the professional while reassuring the horse owner.
Training contracts – Regulating performance and liability
The training of a racehorse is governed by an obligation of mean.
Our training contracts include:
- Sporting commitments and performance objectives
- Terms and conditions of remuneration for the professional
- Rules for termination and notice (often 30 days according to standard agreements)
- Obligations to provide information on the horse’s health and treatment.
We ensure compliance with horseracing regulations, particularly in regards to safety, doping and veterinary monitoring.
Collective ownership contracts – Organising shared property
Setting up racing clubs or co-ownership allows costs to be shared and provides access to ownership.
Our services include:
- Reviewing the file
- Drafting of articles of association or collective ownership agreement
- Defining the rights and obligations of the partners
- Organising governance (decisions, managers, duration)
- Approval by parent companies (France Galop, LeTROT).
We assist project leaders with all legal and tax procedures.
Private sale contracts – Securing racehorse transactions
The private sale contract for a racehorse is important because it limits the risks for both parties.
Our contracts provide for:
- Agreement on the item and the price (constituent elements of the sale)
- Applicable guarantees (latent defects, fraud, exclusions)
- Conditions precedent (veterinary examination, approval)
- Traceability and administrative compliance (SIRE, registration)
Race career lease agreements
Horserace regulations governing trotting and gallop racing provide for a specific form of exploitation of a racehorse’s sporting career: racecareer leasing.
The lease agreement is a contract between the horse owner and the trainer, authorising the latter to exploit the horse’s racing career.
Race career leasing offers a number of advantages for the racehorse owner, in particular through the sharing of related costs. However, to protect the trainer, the termination conditions are demanding.
The lease agreement must be signed and declared to the parent companies’ commissioners on the basis of standard forms.
These contracts may be supplemented by additional contractual elements.