Rules and Services
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Rules of the Australian Stud Book User Guide - Online Mare Returns
 
User Guide - Online Declaration of Service User Guide - Online Stallion Returns
 
Veterinarian Information Brochure
 
Mare Returns      When is it due?
An annual Mare Return is to be lodged by the breeder each year advising:
  • The result of the colour, state, sex and date of birth of a foal
  • Whether the mare has no live foal and the reason for no foal (ie: slipped, missed etc)
  • Foaling location
  • Whether the breeder’s details have changed or advising of a new breeder.
     Due to be returned to the Stud Book or submitted online within 30 days of the birth of a live foal

or

in the case of no live foal, 12 months from the last date of service.
Not Served Mare Returns      When is it due?
Breeders with a mare that has previously been to stud but has not been served during the current season must submit a ’Not Served Mare Return'.       Due to be returned to the Stud Book on 15 March of the season the mare was not covered.
A 5% discount is applicable to all mare returns lodged online. Access the online services program by logging in via the home page.
Identification of Thoroughbreds
Foal Identification Card (Passports)      When is it issued?
A Foal Identification Card (FIC) is produced at the time a horse is parentage verified.

The Foal Identification Card must be relinquished to the Registrar of Racehorses at the time an application for naming is submitted. A new card (Thoroughbred Identification Card) with the horse’s name on it will be issued by the Registrar of Racehorses upon naming.

In previous years, a passport (or Identification Papers) has been produced for Australian thoroughbreds.  The production of these papers ceased for 2003 foals onwards and has been replaced by the Foal Identification card at the time the horse is parentage verified. 		     Foal Identification card is produced at the time a horse is parentage verified.
Parentage Testing      When will my kit be sent?
Every foal born from 2003 onwards and every broodmare in Australia is required to have a DNA test (referred to as Parentage Testing). Only authorised ASB veterinarians can carry out the extraction of hair required for this test .  An identification kit will be sent to the breeder by the ASB. Upon positive parentage verification, a Foal Identification Card (FIC) will be sent to the contact associated with the horse.

Please note that if a foal dies prior to microchipping and DNA sampling, the microchip must be returned to the ASB as soon as possible. Upon receipt of the microchip, the ASB will issue a refund of the parentage testing fee.		     
The ASB will advise breeders of a two-month period in which their foal/s must be parentage tested. This is done at the same time as microchipping.

See our Foal Identification Checklist.
What's in the Parentage Testing Kit?
Veterinarians will receive:
  • DNA cards
  • Plastic Bags
  • Reply paid envelopes
Breeders will receive:
  • 2 x DNA Labels (pre-printed with the horse's parents) to attach to the DNA card
  • 1 x MBS form
  • 1 x Microchip applicator with 8 barcode labels
Imported Horses Parentage Testing      When is it due?
All imported horses are required to be DNA typed to enable acceptance into the ASB.      An import application form is due within 30 days of the horse’s arrival. Click here to download an Import application.

The ASB will forward an identification kit to the import applicant.
Microchipping      What is the process?
All foals born in Australia from 2003 onwards are required to be microchipped.      The ASB will send breeders an identification kit and advise them of a two-month period in which their foal/s must be microchipped.  This is done at the same time as parentage testing.
All imported horses born 2003 season onwards are required to be microchipped in Australia if not microchipped in their country of origin or previous country of residence.      For imported horse, an import application form is due within 30 days of the horse’s arrival.  Click here to download an Import application.
Only authorised ASB veterinarians can carry out the implanting of microchips.  The ASB will forward the microchipping kit to the breeder. Breeders should then organise the authorised ASB vet to implant the microchip.      Microchipping is to be done at the same time as DNA sampling.
The veterinarian is required to complete a Microchip, Brand and Sample (MBS) form and return it to the Stud Book.      MBS form due within 7 days of microchipping and DNA sampling.
Thoroughbreds microchipped in Victoria - Legislation was enacted by the Victorian Government on 1 September 2009, which requires horses microchipped in Victoria to be recorded with a separate licensed registry. To assist Thoroughbred breeders to comply with the requirements, the ASB’s microchip supplier, which owns one of the registries approved by the Government to record horses, is offering its services at a reduced rate to enter a Thoroughbred into its registry. To further assist, a preprinted PetSafe Register form will be included in the DNA kit sent to breeders in Victoria to provide to your veterinarian at the time of microchipping, if you choose to use this registry.  Click here to download a non-preprinted Petsafe Register Form.       
Mares and stallions born prior to 2003 and Shuttle Stallions are not required to be microchipped.       
The microchip remains the sole and absolute property of the Australian Stud Book at all times.       
Freeze Branding      When do I freeze brand my foal?
All Thoroughbred horses in the Australian Stud Book are required to be freeze branded. Freeze branding is optional for imported horses going straight to stud. 

Breeders who have a replicated brand (ie: other breeders have the same brand) must adhere to the Drop Numbers allocated when the brand was registered.

If you are unsure as to whether your brand is replicated or unsure of your drop number allocation, check on the ASB website Brands Register or contact the ASB on 02-8072 1900. 		     All foals must be freeze branded in sufficient time for their brands to be discernible by 31 March of their first year of life.

Brands must be clearly visible as permanent white hair markings before horses are microchipped and DNA sampled.
Brands Register      How do I register my brand?
The Australian Stud Book is accumulating a database of all registered thoroughbred brands in Australia. Subscribers to the ASB website can access the Brands Register.      Breeders should register their brands with the ASB as soon as possible to acquire a Brand Index Number.

Click here to download a Brand application.
Brand Index Card and Brand Index Number      What is my brand index number used for?
Once registered with the ASB, a Brand Index Card will be issued to the breeder, displaying the brand image, breeder’s name and Brand Index Number allocated to the brand registered.

The Brand Index Card must be provided to the veterinarian at the time the horse is microchipped and DNA sampled to enable him/her to enter the correct Brand Index Number on the relevant forms. 		     Veterinarians must quote the Brand Index Number on the Microchip, Brand and Sample form.
Foal Identification
Follow the steps below to see the requirements for new season foals. Dates and further information can be found in the Identification of Thoroughbreds section.
Checklist
Step 1 If you do not have your brand registered with the Australian Stud Book, click here to download a Brand application. Once registered you will be issued with a Brand Index Card displaying an image of your brand and Brand Index Number.
Step 2 Freeze Brand foals in sufficient time for their brands to be discernible by 31 March of their first year of life.
Step 3 Wait for the ASB to send your foal’s identification kit. The kit will provide you with the date period in which you are required to parentage test your foal (see kit contents above).
Step 4 Arrange for the veterinarian to visit in the month designated by the Australian Stud Book to implant the microchip. The vet will take a DNA hair sample and complete the Microchip, Brands and Sample form and return it to the ASB. The vet will require your Brand Index Card displaying your brand image and index number at this time (see step 1 above).
Step 5 Approximately two weeks after the vet has taken the sample, check that the foal has been parentage verified on the Unnamed Produce page of the website, found under the horse name dropdown menu.
Step 6 A Foal Identification Card (FIC) will be issued at the time of parentage verification. Upon receipt of the FIC, check the identity of the horse against the brands, markings description and microchip number. Any discrepancy must be reported to the ASB within 30 days of receipt. The FIC must remain with the person currently in possession of the horse, and must be relinquished to the Registrar of Racehorses at the time an application for naming is submitted.
Stallions
Stallion Return      When is it due?
Stallion proprietors must submit a Stallion Return each year for all stallions that serve mares.  This return notifies the ASB of:
  • The number of mares the stallion will cover during the season
  • The advertised service fee (including GST) for the season
  • The details of the stud and its location
These details are then displayed on the website under the stallions name. 		     All stallion proprietors with internet access are required to lodge Stallion Returns online through the ASB's Online Stallion Return System.

All Stallion Returns are due to be lodged with the ASB by 30 June each year.
Stallion Declaration of Service      When is it due?
A list of all mares served by a stallion, plus the first and last service date of these mares must be declared to the Stud Book. 

Stallion Proprietors who stand stallions that cover more than 40 mares are required to lodge service dates electronically through a stud management system (such as Ardex , Equimaster or Stable Eyes) or via the Online Declaration of Service facility on this website.  		    
Reporting of coverings are required to be lodged on a monthly basis as follows:
Covering Date Lodge with ASB
1-30 September 2024 by 15 October 2024
1-31 October 2024 by 15 November 2024
1-30 November 2024 by 15 December 2024
1-31 December 2024 by 15 January 2025
Later services 2025 by 15th day of next month
Certification of Paternity      When is it due?
Stallion Proprietor certifies that the covering stallion is the sire of the foal. 

The parentage verification process for the foal will commence once the Mare Return has been submitted by the breeder and the Certification of Paternity has been submitted by the Stallion Proprietor.  		    
Required to be certified Online by the Stallion Proprietor from 31 January of the covering season, once the breeding contract fee has been received from the breeder.
Horses Sold at Public Auction
Steps Owner Sales Company / Stud Book
1 Complete sale entry form (available from sale companies).

Send the horse’s Document of Description (if born before 2003) or Foal / Thoroughbred Identification Card to the sales company with the entry form. 		Sales company produces catalogue from entry forms received.
2 All horses born from 2003 onwards must be microchipped prior to sale. Contact the Stud Book if you have not yet received a microchipping kit.
3 Horse is sold at sale. The sale company forwards passport or FIC to purchaser.