Dear Breeder, 

Kindly note the below for your attention.

The microchipping and DNA parentage verification for the 2025 foal crop will take place between January and March 2026, conducted by the Onderstepoort Veterinary Genetics Laboratory (VGL). To ensure efficient service delivery and to mitigate previous financial losses arising from unregistered foals, microchipping will only be carried out once payment has been received.

2024 Registration Deadline

The deadline for the 2024 foal registrations was initially set for 31 July 2025. This has been extended to 31 October 2025 to allow breeders additional time to complete their registrations. Please note that late registrations submitted after this date may be subject to penalties.

Mare Registrations

We have noted an increase in the number of late mare change-of-ownership submissions, which often create administrative difficulties for both Stud Book and breeders. In terms of the Rules, every mare owner is required to notify the Chief Executive, on the prescribed form, of any change of ownership within 21 days of the event. However, a number of transfers continue to be submitted well after this period.

To address this, Stud Book will be introducing a late registration penalty for each delayed mare change of ownership. The amount of the penalty will depend on the extent of the delay.

Furthermore, breeders are reminded that a mare return must be submitted to Stud Book by 15 July of each racing season. This return must declare either (a) the result of the mare’s covering by a stallion, or (b) the decision not to cover the mare.

Stallion Registrations

Stallion managers are required to submit, by no later than the 15th day of the following month, a list of all mares covered by their stallion or stallions during each calendar month. At the time of registering a stallion for the ensuing year, stallion owners must also provide the Chief Executive with a list of all shareholders, together with the number of shares held by each. A Stallion Syndication Agreement, as amended from time to time, must be prepared in writing and a copy lodged with the Chief Executive.

Where a stallion is owned by a syndicate, the syndicate must prepare audited annual financial statements within 16 months of the conclusion of the stallion’s covering season, which is deemed to end no later than 31 December each year, and must hold an annual general meeting no later than 31 May each year, with the proceedings duly minuted. Copies of both the audited financial statements and the minutes of the annual general meeting must be provided to all shareholders of the syndicate, as well as to the Chief Executive for record purposes, within 30 days of the meeting.

Vaccinations

• African Horse Sickness (AHS)

As per Rule 39.1, all horses and all foals shall be vaccinated against AHS by a veterinarian, using a registered, non-expired vaccine according to the manufacturers’ recommendations. Such vaccine shall be supplied by the veterinarian administering the vaccine. 

All horses except registered stallions and mares, standing on stud farms, and those resident in the AHS free or surveillance zones, shall receive; 

• two sets of vaccines as foals between the ages of 6 and 18 months, not less than 30 days apart and where possible, between 1 June and 31 October, and thereafter 

• one set every calendar year between 1 June and 31 October in order to compete

All registered stallions and mares, standing on stud farms, except those resident in the AHS free or surveillance zones,  shall be vaccinated against AHS at least once every calendar year and where possible, between 1 June and 31 October.

Horses resident in the AHS controlled area (AHS protection, surveillance and free zones) as described in the Animal Diseases Act (Act 35 of 1984) and Regulations, may legally only be vaccinated between 1 June and 31 October. No horse resident in the AHS free or surveillance zones, shall be vaccinated against AHS unless written permission of the Director of Animal Health of the Republic of South Africa has been obtained.

The owner, trainer and/or any other person responsible for the care, treatment or training of a horse shall be individually and jointly responsible for ensuring that such horse is so vaccinated and shall be guilty of an offence if such horse is not vaccinated as prescribed. 

• Equine Influenza

All horses and all foals shall be vaccinated by a veterinary surgeon against Equine Influenza both in accordance with the programme of vaccinations and with a non-expired vaccine.

Foals shall be given a primary course of vaccinations consisting of 2 vaccinations, administered between 4 and 6 weeks apart, both to be given after the age of 6 months but before 31 July of the year following its birth. Both vaccinations must be the same vaccine from the same manufacturer. Subsequent vaccinations must be given at intervals not exceeding 6 months.

Any horse or foal not vaccinated in accordance with rule 39.7.1 will be required to be re-vaccinated according to the vaccination programme. 

Passports

A passport must remain with a horse for the duration of its natural life. In the event of a sale or change of ownership, the passport must be handed over to the new owner. No individual may withhold the passport of a horse from a person lawfully entitled to it, as doing so constitutes a contravention of our rules.

Breeders Online Portal

We have commenced the transition to the Breeders Online Portal, which allows breeders to check the status of their registrations, make payments, and access other services. This initiative is aimed at providing a more efficient and streamlined service. If the stud farm has not yet been registered, kindly contact Stud Book for assistance.

Should you have any registration queries, kindly email  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.