When must I arrive on course, and what are the jockeys' room rules?

Q: When must I arrive on course, and what are the jockeys' room rules?

Under Rules 56 and 57 of the NHA Rules of Racing: Arrival: report to the clerk of the scales at least 60 minutes before the official start of your first race (Rule 57.5.1), and record your arrival and departure in the Jockey Weighing Room Register. Stay in: from reporting until you are allowed to leave, stay in the jockeys' quarters or weighing room except when riding. You may not leave the course until 15 minutes after your last race without a stipendiary steward's permission. No outside contact: without a steward's consent you may only have contact with the owner (or their authorised agent) or groom of your horse, the racing operator's representative on duty and licensed officials. No phones: you may not take any telephone, transmitter or similar device into the jockeys' quarters or weighing room, or use one. No smoking in the jockeys' quarters or weighing room. If you have no booked rides but are available, report to the stewards and you are then confined to the jockeys' quarters on the same terms. May 2026 penalty guidelines: late reporting R500; leaving the room without consent R500; phone in the room R2 500 (switched off), investigation and R5 000 or more (switched on), R10 000 (used).

Question

Accepted Answer

Under Rules 56 and 57 of the NHA Rules of Racing:

Arrival: report to the clerk of the scales at least 60 minutes before the official start of your first race (Rule 57.5.1), and record your arrival and departure in the Jockey Weighing Room Register.
Stay in: from reporting until you are allowed to leave, stay in the jockeys' quarters or weighing room except when riding. You may not leave the course until 15 minutes after your last race without a stipendiary steward's permission.
No outside contact: without a steward's consent you may only have contact with the owner (or their authorised agent) or groom of your horse, the racing operator's representative on duty and licensed officials.
No phones: you may not take any telephone, transmitter or similar device into the jockeys' quarters or weighing room, or use one.
No smoking in the jockeys' quarters or weighing room.
If you have no booked rides but are available, report to the stewards and you are then confined to the jockeys' quarters on the same terms.

May 2026 penalty guidelines: late reporting R500; leaving the room without consent R500; phone in the room R2 500 (switched off), investigation and R5 000 or more (switched on), R10 000 (used).