On Thursday, 17 September, Racing Australia announced a time-limited, one-off window for eligible owners to resolve Late Foal Ownership Declaration (FOD) issues and have affected horses’ embargoes lifted.
The process, which has a strict series of deadlines, requires owners to first lodge any outstanding Foal Ownership Declaration, then lodge a Late FOD Appeal. If that appeal is denied, the owner will have 30 days to elect to pay a $2,500 fee, after which the AR 287 embargo can be lifted.
What you need to do
If you have an outstanding Foal Ownership Declaration for a foal born in the 2025 season or earlier:
Foal Ownership Declaration must be lodged by 5.30pm AEST, Friday 9 October 2026
Late FOD Appeal must be lodged by 5.30pm AEST, Friday 13 November 2026
If an appeal is denied, the owner will then have 30 days to elect to pay the $2,500 fee to have the embargo lifted.
Racing Australia has advised that owners whose appeals have already been denied will be contacted directly about the 30-day payment option.
You May Have An Outstanding FOD Without Realising It
Racing Australia advises there are currently 102 outstanding Late Foal Ownership Declarations, including declarations relating to horses born in earlier seasons.
TBA is also concerned there may be breeders and managing owners who do not yet realise they have missed a Foal Ownership Declaration deadline, and therefore may be unaware that their horse could be facing an embargo.
Please do not assume your records are complete
Please do not assume everything is up to date. Check each foal, confirm who is responsible for lodging the declaration, and make sure it has been completed within the required timeframe.
Importantly, this also applies to the current foal crop
All Foal Ownership Declaration must be lodged within 30 days of birth.
Your Foal. Your Declaration. Your Deadline
Need help with your Foal Ownership Declaration?
Contact the Australian Stud Book on (02) 8072 1900 or studbook@racingaustralia.horse
