Mauritius has tightened the checks on anyone applying to run a racing stable in 2027. Applicants must now disclose their full ownership chain, prove they can fund the operation and meet new management requirements.
Applications for trainer and stable licences close on 30 November 2026. The Gambling Regulatory Authority says late applications will not be accepted.
Who has to be named
Applicants must disclose directors, shareholders, beneficial owners, ultimate beneficial owners and investors, with identity and corporate registration documents behind each name.
They must also supply bank references for the company and its shareholders, and certificates of character valid for six months covering directors, shareholders, beneficial owners and investors.
The money test
Existing companies must file financial statements or audited accounts for the previous two years. Every applicant must provide six months of bank statements showing the funds intended for use, a feasibility report and a business plan with three-year forecasts.
The hard numbers are a MUR3m bank guarantee, about US$64,000, payable when the licence is approved, and a list of at least 15 horses. The regulator also wants evidence of working capital sufficient to keep horses and staff.
Paperwork beyond the balance sheet
The guidelines ask for professional indemnity insurance cover, a stable lease letter of engagement with the HRO, a letter of intent to engage a trainer with a signed agreement, contracts with horse owners, and a declaration of assets and liabilities.
The requirements reach into staffing too. Directors and managers must each apply for a Personal Management Licence once the stable licence is granted, and grooms must be registered with the regulator.
Why it matters
The authority says the policy is meant to approve only operators who are competent, responsible and financially viable, protecting both racing integrity and horse welfare.
It is the same direction of travel seen elsewhere on the continent, where regulators are asking for more about who is behind a licence. Our coverage of the cross-border cooperation framework being drafted by African regulators sets out the wider picture, and the detail here was reported by Focus Gaming News.
Frequently asked questions
When do Mauritius stable licence applications close?
30 November 2026, for both trainer and stable licences. Late applications will not be accepted.
How much is the bank guarantee?
MUR3m, about US$64,000, payable at the point the licence is approved.
How many horses must a stable have?
Applicants must submit a list of at least 15 horses.
What financial documents are required?
Bank references, six months of bank statements, a feasibility report and a business plan with three-year forecasts. Existing companies must add two years of financial statements or audited accounts.
Do stable staff need licences?
Directors and managers must hold Personal Management Licences once the stable licence is granted, and grooms must be registered with the regulator.
