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Licensing

NZTR Licensing

What is Licensing?

NZTR licensing ensures the people involved in thoroughbred racing in New Zealand meet the standards expected of the industry, in terms of integrity, safety and professionalism.

Holding a licence confirms that an individual has the skills, experience and conduct required to participate, whether as a Trainer, Jockey, Rider, Stable Employee, Agent, or in another licensed role.

Licensing also ensures that all participants operate within the Rules of Racing, NZTR policies and directives, and meet the minimum standards required to safeguard horse welfare and participant safety. This includes ensuring people understand their responsibilities and carry out their role in a safe, compliant and professional manner.

Licences are renewed annually at the start of June, while new applicants follow a structured application process.
All applicants must meet the requirements set out in the NZTR Licensing Policy and NZTR Suitability Policy, including suitability checks, relevant experience, and qualification standards.

NZTR Licensing

Experience and Qualifications

Licensing is based on demonstrated experience and capability.

For a number of licence types, including Trainers and Jockeys, applicants must show a relevant licensing history, either in New Zealand or internationally, that meets the standard of the licence being applied for.

Qualification expectations across the industry have also been strengthened, with a focus on practical, vocational pathways that build capability and lift standards over time.

Getting Started

If you're looking to get involved in racing, the first step is to understand which licence you need. Anyone working for a licensed Trainer, in any capacity, must hold an appropriate licence.

Applications are grouped by licence type below. We also include the Accredited Persons Pass for contractors and officials who require access to carry out duties on raceday, and links to all Jockey Miscellaneous and Medical forms.  All applications are completed online and can be submitted from any device. 

Stablehand & Trackwork Rider Licences

Jockey Licences

Trainer Licences

Rider Agent Licence

Accredited Persons Racecourse Pass (Contractors/Officials)

Jockey Miscellaneous & Medical

Miscellaneous

Whether you need demonstrated experience, a licensing history, relevant qualifications, or to complete specific assessments will depend on the type of licence you are applying for.

Full details are set out in the NZTR Licensing Policy.
If you're unsure which licence applies to you, our Licensing team can talk you through the options and help guide you through the process.

Licensing Forms

Stablehand & Trackwork Rider Licences

Trackwork Rider (Fast) | Class B | Miscellaneous
Granted to those competent in riding Thoroughbred horses at full pace in training. Must have previously held a Trackwork Licence.
Online Form
Trackwork Rider (Slow) | Class B | Miscellaneous
Granted to those who have not previously held a trackwork licence and may only ride thoroughbreds at half pace or less.
Online Form
Trackwork Rider | International Licence
A Visiting Trackwork Riders License is granted to those with an equivalent license, aiding Visiting Trainers in training for a limited time.
Online Form
Stablehand Licence | Class A | Miscellaneous
Granted to those employed full-time by a Trainer in a racing stable, training establishment, or facility.
Online Form
Stable Assistant Licence
Granted to those who assist a Trainer part-time basis, or strap horses at race meetings.
Online Form
International Licence | Stable Assistant
A Visiting Assistant’s License is granted to those with an equivalent license, employed by a Visiting Trainer for training assistance.
Online Form
Trackwork Rider Attestation
For the purpose of gathering evidence of the individual applicants' competency to control horses in fast trackwork.
Online Form
NZTR Nominated Training Horse

NZTR mandates the suitability of training horses for track work, requiring endorsement from Trainer and licensed Rider.

 

Online Form

Jockey Licences

Rider's Licence | Class A | Jockey

Granted to those who have completed a Jockey Apprenticeship (or an international equivalent), allowing participation in flat races unless otherwise specified.

Online Form
Rider's Licence | Class B | Apprentice Jockey

Granted to aspiring jockeys progressing through NZTR’s Apprentice Jockey programme toward qualification.

Online Form
Rider's Licence | Class C | Probationer Jockey

Granted to persons who aspire to become jockeys and who have been assessed as competent to ride Thoroughbreds in trackwork, for the purpose of enabling NZTR to assess whether the person is suitable to become an apprentice jockey. 

Online Form
Rider's Licence | Class D | Jumps Jockey

Granted to those competent in riding Thoroughbreds in Jumps Races, and highweight races once qualified.

Online Form
Rider's Licence | Class E | Amateur Jockey

Granted to those proficient in riding thoroughbreds in amateur races. This licence also provides an entry into an NZTR-supported development pathway for riders aiming to become a Class D Jumps Jockey.

Online Form
International Licence | Jockey

A Visiting Rider’s Licence is granted to those with an equivalent license from another racing authority, for temporary racing.

Online Form

Trainer Licences

Trainers Licence | Class A
A Class A Trainer’s License is granted to those primarily offering Thoroughbred training services as their profession.
Online Form
Trainer's Licence | Class B
A Class B Trainer’s License is granted to trainers with horses having less than 50 raceday starts per year consistently.
Online Form
International Licence | Trainer
A Visiting Trainer’s License is granted to those with a foreign trainer license, allowing them to train and race in New Zealand temporarily.
Online Form
Pre-Trainer Licence
The Pre-Trainer’s License is granted to those preparing Thoroughbred horses for training and racing under another person.
Online Form
Assistant Trainer Licence
Assists the Trainer with the responsibilities of training horses and managing the racehorse training business
Online Form
Treatment Logbook
Treatment Logbook template and associated Rules.
Download

Riders Agent Licence

Riders Agent | Class C | Miscellaneous
Issued to those aiding Jockeys or Apprentice Jockeys' employers in organising riding engagements
Online Form
Riders Agent/Rider Authorisation
An authority for a Riders agent to act on behalf of Jockey/Apprentice Jockey
Online Form

Accredited Persons Racecourse Pass

Accredited Persons Racecourse Pass
Granted to Contractors/Officials who require a pass to carry out duties on a Raceday.
Online Form

Jockey Miscellaneous & Medical

Rider Support Pack

The Rider Support Pack includes essential information to assist participants in the event of an injury, as well as mental health and wellbeing support.

Download
Helmet/Vest Replacement Subsidy

Application for Jockeys and Trackwork Riders to the General Trust Fund for a subsidy to replace a helmet or vest damaged in an accident and confiscated by RIB Stewards.

Online Form
Transfer of Apprenticeship

Application for an Apprentice Jockey to transfer from one Trainer to another Trainer.

Online Form
Application to Loan Apprentice

Application for an Apprentice Jockey to go on loan to another trainer, either domestically or internationally.

Online Form
Apprentice Jockey's Fund Application

An apprentice Jockey Fund request application is for an apprentice Jockey to draw down on their funds for a purpose specified under the Apprentice Policy.

Online Form
Betting Account Declaration

A declaration for Jockeys for any betting account held with a bookmaker, totaliser or betting exchange, whether located in or outside New Zealand.

Online Form
General Trust Fund Application

Link to all applications for grants from the General Trust Fund, including First Week Payment (General Trust Fund Grant Application), Financial Hardship Application, and Helmet/Vest Replacement Subsidy.

Click Here
Medical Examination Form

Medical examination form for all Jockeys, which must be completed prior to application, and then every two years.

Download PDF
M2 | Brain Injury Assessment Form

Raceday on course Brain Injury assessment form.

Download PDF
Rider Illness or Injury Assessment

Raceday on course Injury or illness assessment form.

Download PDF
M4 | Medical Certificate - Riding When Pregnant

To be completed by a registered medical practitioner who has examined a pregnant rider seeking their advice in relation to their intention to race or participate in track work during a pregnancy, and who has read the NZTR Pregnancy Guidelines. 

Download PDF
M5 | Consent Form - Riding When Pregnant

Required to be completed by all riders intending to race or participate in track work during a pregnancy.

Download PDF

Miscellaneous

Digital Licence ID Guide

An easy-to-follow manual for adding your Digital Licence ID to your device.

Digital Licence Guide Guide for Clubs
Saving a Digital Licence to your Phone

In order to easily access your digital licence you will need to save it to your phone's 'Wallet'. This can be easily done on both Apple and Android devices. How-to videos for both can be found below. 

Saving to iPhone Saving to Android
Online renewals and updating details

To complete an online licence renewal or update any of your details with NZTR including licence photo, please complete this online form.

Online Renewals Update Details
Licence Card Application

You can apply for a physical licence card to complement your Digital ID.

Online Form
Change of details

For any current licence holder wishing to update their photo, email, phone number, and address.

Online Form
Training Agreement for the Primary ITO

Enrolment Form - Food and Fibre Industry Skills Board, trading as Primary ITO. This Training Agreement is a formal agreement between the Employee (Learner), the Employer, and Primary ITO.

Download PDF
NZEET Enrolment Form

Enrolment form - NZ Equine Education Trust (NZEET) is NZ Thoroughbred Racing’s (NZTR) Private Training Establishment (PTE) and is the mechanism which NZTR delivers industry training.

Download PDF
2024 Licensing Fees

Licensing Fee changes effective 1 February 2024

Download
Licensing Process

For more information and a breakdown of each of the steps in the licensing process, download the relevant spreadsheet below

Trainer Licences Rider Licences
Probationer Licence Process

For more information and a breakdown of each of the steps in the Probationer Licensing Process, download the PDF below.

Download PDF
Probationer Agreement

Three way agreement between the Probationer, the employer and NZTR to enter a Probationary period.

Download PDF
Racecourse Pass IDs
Digital ID & Licence ID Cards allow licence holders and accredited persons access to racecourses and training facilities to perform their obligations.
LEARN MORE