You can view the latest list of Colours by clicking on the following link - 'Registered Racing Colours'
The registration of Racing Colours allows the registered owner exclusive use of those Colours throughout NSW for the period that the Colours are registered and renewed (5 Year Cycle, renewable).
Other States register colours separately, but should as per practice allow use of the NSW colours unless there is a direct clash of colours in an interstate race in which your horse runs, in which case the State Registered Colours would take precedence.
The Racing NSW Application Process and conditions relating to the Registration of Colours follows:
For New Applications
- The initial registration fee is $100 and will entitle the ownership of the registered colours until the next renewal date (1 March each year).
- The subsequent renewal payment is $135 and will entitle the owner to a further five years of registration ending 1 March in the ‘renewal’ year.
- You will need to complete an Application to Register Racing Colours form and lodge it with the appropriate fee
- If you would like to amend a current set of racing colours, an Application to Amend Racing Colours form must be completed and sent with the relevant fee. All amendments are at the discretion of the Colours Department.
For renewal of Currently registered colours
- The renewal date is 1 March. Renewal notices will be sent out early in February, and payment of $135 for 5 years renewal is required PRIOR TO 31st March.
- If payment is not received the ownership will lapse, and the colours will be deemed available for new registration at 31st May (Please be advised that this means you may LOSE your colours if the renewal is not paid by this date.)
- If you try to renew after this period it will be subject to a comparison check and the fee will be that of the initial registration. i.e. $100 for 1 year followed by the $135 renewal fee at the next renewal date.
- If you have changed your address, please use the Change of Address form below or if you have NOT received a renewal notice by 28 February , please contact Racing NSW Colours Department on (02) 9551 7529 urgently.
Fees for registering & renewing NSW Racing Colours
Untitled Document | Transaction type | Fee $ |
| New registration (February to August) | 100 |
| New registration (September to January) | 50 |
| Renewals | 135 for 5 yrs |
| Late Renewals (after May) | 100 rego + 135 renewal for 5 yr |
| Amendment | 50 |
New registrations only register the colours up until the next renewal period.
Choosing Your Racing Colours
Racing Colours are comprised of a set of Jacket, Sleeve and Cap Markings and the racing colours themselves. Different colours can be used for the Jacket, Sleeve and Cap backgrounds and for the markings on each of these. See the rules below for limitations.
Rules and Conditions
Local Rule of Racing 101 and 102 apply to Racing Colours in NSW. In addition, Racing NSW Conditions apply as per below:
LR 101.1. All colours are subject to the approval of the Board.
2. Nominators of horses must declare by stable return the colours to be carried and such colours must be worn by the horse's rider. Provided that at any time, the Stewards or an authorised official of the Club concerned may direct that alternative colours must be worn.
3. Every horse which races within the Metropolitan Area must carry colours registered by the nominator (or if more than one, by one of the nominators). Provided that the Stewards, or an authorised official of the Club concerned, may give permission for other colours to be worn.
4. If 2 or more persons declare the same colours at the time of entry, the Committee of the Club or the Stewards shall decide which person shall have the use of such colours and direct or authorise the other person or persons to adopt other colours.
LR 102.
1. A register of colours shall be kept by the Board.
2. A fee to register colours may be set from time to time by the Board.
3. Subject to this rule, registration entitles the person registering to the exclusive use of the colours during the period covered by such registration.
4. Registration may be renewed on or before the 1st March each year or on such year determined by a 5 year renewal cycle period. If application is not made for renewal of registration within 3 months of the due date, any right of renewal shall lapse.[subrule amended 18.6.08]
5. The representatives of a deceased owner, or other person becoming entitled to race a horse on the death of an owner, shall subject to this rule have the exclusive right to use the deceased's colours without registration until the time for the annual renewal of registration.
6. The Board reserves the right to refuse the renewal of registration of any colours.
7. Disputes as to the right to any colours shall be determined by the Board.
The following conditions apply to registration of your racing colours:
1. Racing colours may be registered by up to ten nominators each of whom shall have equal rights to the use of the racing colours provided that they all have unequivocal agreement to these rights.
2. Identical jacket combinations shall not be allowed with a different coloured cap.
3. The following dimensions shall be used: -- Diamond, crossed and single sashes 100mm
- Braces 75mm
- Stripe 125mm
- Diamond 28Omm depth and 230mm width
- Star 28Omm point to point
- Checks and harlequin diamonds 100mm
- Stripes, diagonal stripes and hoops 75mm
- Horseshoes, circles, spots, diamonds and stars 100mm
- Horseshoes 28Omm depth and 230mm width
- Maltese cross 28Omm x 28Omm
- Band and armbands 125mm
- Checks in checked sash, band and armbands 60mm in rows of 2
- Striped cap two stripes of one the secondary colour
- Checked caps 60mm
- Spotted and horseshoes caps 8Omm one to each segment
- Quartered caps 6 segments alternating
4. Non traditional symbols are allowed, such as Palm Trees, Lightning Bolts or other symbols provided they are not offensive or Corporate (see point 5.)
5. Corporate logos and symbols are not allowed. However, consideration will be given to approval of colours that promote Ownership, including syndicates and Partnerships. Each application will be considered on its merits, as recommended by Racing NSW's General Manager-Racing & Commercial.
6. Should block (fully plain) colours become available, Racing NSW reserves the right to auction the colours or reserve the set for other purposes.
7. Colours (other than Block Colours) may be transferred from one Owner to another on application to Racing NSW. Such application would usually be approved, except Block Colours (see point 6), which cannot be transferred, provided that special application may be made by the Registered Owner of the Block Colours to Transfer them to another Owner (eg. Immediate Family member). Such application, if made, shall be at the discretion of Racing NSW.
8. To view the latest list of Colours click here - 'Registered Racing Colours'
How to Register Your Racing Colours
Please complete the Colours Registration form available
here.
Colours Department
Phone: (02) 9551 7529
Fax: (02) 9551 7587
E-mail:
colours@racingnsw.com.au- When the registration application is completed, please return it to Racing NSW with the relevant fee.
- Racing NSW will send written confirmation of the registration of your colours. Please do not have your colours made until this confirmation is received. If required, a list of makers may be obtained by contacting the Colours Department.
Change of Address
If you have changed your address, please use the Change of Address form below or if you have NOT received a renewal notice by 28 February , please contact Racing NSW Colours Department on (02) 9551 7529 urgently. Download the '
Change of Contact Details' form and send it to us with your new address details.