Standardbred ownership rules/laws/questions

[KingsOfLeo]

Hi there,

I’m trying to find out information regarding Standardbred ownership in the United States. A friend of mine had acquired a Standardbred back in 2009, but ownership was never transferred to her. She was not planning on racing him, as she owned horses for personal use (riding) only. She has since sold this horse, and again, ownership was not transferred. The horse’s original owner still appears on USTA Pathway from 2005. Because the horse is still shown as owned by the original owner, does the original owner have any right to the horse? Meaning, could the original owner take possession of the horse again, even though the horse has changed hands and it has been almost 10 years since the horse was “acquired”?

Note: I do not know exactly how my friend acquired the horse—what arrangements, if any, with the original owner were made, or what circumstances led to this horse essentially being given away. I am asking just out of curiosity.

Thank you!

[jvanrens]

Often ownership of Standardbreds isn’t transferred after they are not racing anymore it seems.

As far as proof of ownership, registration papers isn’t it. A signed bill of sale is proof of ownership regardless of the breed.

I’m sure the owner of record with USTA/SC isn’t a concern at this stage in the horse’s life.

[Laurierace]

The only thing that proves ownership of any horse in the US is a bill of sale. As long as the current owner has that everything is fine.

[Scribbler]

Yes, we had this conversation on COTH within the past year in regards to OTTB.

Often when a horse is retired from racing the owners don’t sign over the registration papers. Bill of sale and registration papers are separate entities unlike with cars.

Even with registered QH, Arabs,WB, PRE, etc the registration typically is transfered some time after the sale, requires paperwork with the breed association, and may get mucked up if a previous owner didn’t do their paperwork.

Horses lose connection to their registration papers all the time at the low end of the market.