Great Britain: Registrations


How to register a horse in Great Britain


Great Britain: Registrations

How to register a horse in Great Britain

Horse Passport Legislation 

The current legislation relating to horse passports means it is a legal requirement for equidae in Great Britain to be issued with a passport by an authorised Passport Issuing Organisation.  


REGISTRATIONS REMINDER 

Click here to view an important reminder about registrations.


IMPORTANT NOTICE 

Click here to view the legal requirements for horse owners.


Stallion registration

Initial Stallion Registration

An Initial Stallion Registration must be completed before covering certificates can be issued. 
 
Discounted fees apply for registrations completed online at www.weatherbysgsb.co.uk.
 
Alternatively, please download, complete and return the form below, together with the stallion’s passport and the indicated fee.

 - Initial Stallion Registration Form (PDF)

Annual Stallion Registration

Apply for covering certificates online at www.weatherbysgsb.co.uk. Alternatively, an Annual Stallion Registration form will need to be completed and returned with the relevant fee.  
 
For all stallion queries please email: [email protected] or call +44 (0)1933 304808.

Internet Covering Service

Coverings may be recorded online and lodged electronically by using the Internet Covering Service. If this service is chosen, login details will be provided once the Initial and Annual Stallion Registrations are complete.

Change of Ownership

To change the ownership of a registered stallion please visit www.weatherbysgsb.co.uk.  Alternatively, please download, complete and return the form below with the stallion’s passport and the indicated fee.

 - Stallion Change of Ownership (PDF)

 Useful Links

 - GSB Online
 - Internet Covering Service
 - Stallion Book Online
 

Broodmare registration

A broodmare registration must be completed for any mare which will produce a foal in Great Britain or Ireland to be registered in the General Stud Book or Non-Thoroughbred Register.
 
Discounted fees apply for registrations completed online at www.weatherbysgsb.co.uk.

Alternatively, please download, complete and return the form below with the mare’s passport and the indicated fee.

 - Broodmare Registration Form (PDF)

Registering a Mare Not Previously Registered with Weatherbys in the Non-Thoroughbred Register

If you would like to register a mare as a foundation broodmare in the NTR, please email: [email protected], or call +44 (0)1933 304808.

Broodmare Change of Ownership

If you acquire a mare that has already been registered as a broodmare, and wish to continue breeding to Weatherbys registered stallions, please visit www.weatherbysgsb.co.uk to register ownership.

Alternatively, please download, complete and return the form below with the mare’s passport and the indicated fee.

 - Broodmare Change of Ownership Form (PDF)

If you have acquired a registered broodmare but do not wish to continue breeding, or do not intend to register progeny with Weatherbys you can also register ownership online or download an application form from the Change of Ownership section.

Notification of Dead, Sold or Retired Broodmares

It is an EU requirement that you advise Weatherbys when your broodmare dies, within 30 days, and return the passport.  The passport will be recorded as "Void".

Broodmare notifications can also be made via email to: [email protected]

 

30-Day Foal Notification

The BHA Equine Anti-Doping Rules state that all horses born in Great Britain from 2018 onwards must be notified with the General Stud Book within 30 days of birth. If the horse is not notified within this timeframe, then it will not be eligible to race in Great Britain.

This process will enable the BHA to trace the welfare and whereabouts of foals before they arrive in a registered training yard and the information gained will improve transparency and traceability around the care that breeders and owners provide to thoroughbreds at all stages of their lives.

Notification of birth should be completed by breeders and owners through our General Stud Book Online system, which has been operational since 22nd January 2018. Foal notification can be completed at the same time as foal registration (which is a separate process) and will be on the same platform, cutting out any need for double entry. 

We have created an instructional video which can be viewed below.

There will be no additional fees for notification of birth if carried out within the 30 day timeframe. Failure to notify a foal in accordance with the requirements may result in the horse being ineligible to race in GB, or an additional cost for the BHA sampling process which may be required in order for the horse to be eligible to register to race in Great Britain.



Foal registration

Before you can register a foal, ensure your mare is correctly registered as a broodmare. Please see the Broodmares section above for more information. 

A Weatherbys covering certificate will also need to be obtained from the stallion owner, unless it is lodged electronically.

Once your foal has been born, you can use the Internet Foal Service to register your foal online. A discount will apply for online foal registrations completed before 31st July each year.  Alternatively, if you do not use the online registration service, you should receive a foal registration form to complete and return to Weatherbys with the current fee and covering certificate before 31st July.

The BHA Equine Anti-Doping Rules state that all horses born in Great Britain from 2015-2017 inclusive must be registered with the General Stud Book within 12 months of birth. If the horse is not notified within this timeframe then it will not be eligible to race in Great Britain.
 
See the British Horseracing Authority’s information on 30 day foal notification/registration by clicking here.
 
Anyone who has a horse that is not yet registered/notified in accordance with the requirements, or has a horse that is not yet registered but will shortly exceed the specified 12 month timeframe should contact the BHA Traceability Helpdesk, [email protected] (in advance of this period expiring, where applicable).

DNA Sampling and Microchipping

Once born, a foal should be DNA sampled and microchipped within four weeks. Sampling kits and microchips are sent directly to vets each year. Please contact your vet to make an appointment. The narrative on all foal markings must now be typed by your vet in order to comply with the Equine Identification (England) Regulations 2018.  A fillable pdf is available by clicking here.

Registration Deadlines

The initial foal registration deadline is 31st July within the year of birth. Any applications received after this date will be charged at a higher rate. For full details on Foal Registration fees please see the GB Stud Book Fees (PDF).

Late Returns

If you would like to register a horse outside its year of foaling, please email The Customer Services Team or call +44 (0)1933 304808.

Additional information is provided in this guide:
 - Identification of Horses Booklet (PDF)