What happens in a dead heat?
Rule- South Africa
- National Horseracing Authority
- Horse racing
- All ages
- NHA Rules of Racing
- 2026
- Racegoers
Under Rule 64 of the NHA Rules of Racing:
- A dead heat for first is not run off. The stake money for the places involved is split equally between the owners, and each horse counts as a winner for any future weight penalty, as if it had won outright.
- A dead heat for second or a lower place: the place money for those places is split equally between the owners.
- A dead heat in a match (two-horse race): no result is declared.
The judge only gives a dead heat when there is no discernible difference between the horses' noses on the photo-finish (Rule 65.5).
Added 22 Oct 2026