Horses with internal bleeding problems will be given an extra 'strike' before facing compulsory retirement.
In the past, any horse categorised as a bleeder has been banned for three months and then for life after a repeat, but a rewriting of the rules may offer one more three-month ban for a second attack and then a third strike before retirement.
'We reviewed the bleeding rules around the world to see how we compared and there are some wide variations - Japan and UK have no restrictions, nor does Dubai, but they are looking into the issue. On the other hand it's three strikes in Singapore and Malaysia and two in South Africa,' said the club's chief vet, Dr Brian Stewart, yesterday.
'Some trainers have told us we're too hard here with two bleeds before compulsory retirement and we decided that going to a third time would bring us more into line with international thinking.
'There is still discretion within the rules ... to recommend retirement for any horse where we feel there are health issues - bleeding or otherwise - impacting on consistency of performance, race safety and the welfare of the horse itself,' he said.