Youst V. Longo

Is a racehorse owner entitled to tort damages when the harness driver of another horse*fn1 negligently or intentionally interferes with the owner's horse during a race, thereby preventing the owner from the chance of winning a particular cash prize?  It is a well-settled general tort principle that interference with the chance of winning a contest, such as the horserace at issue here, usually presents a situation too uncertain upon which to base tort liability. We agree that application of this principle should govern here. Further, even if the outcome of the race was certain, as a matter of public policy, we conclude that an action for interference with prospective economic advantage, occasioned as a result of allegedly tortious conduct occurring during a sporting contest, ordinarily will not lie. Finally, the Court of Appeal concluded that the California Horse Racing Board (the Board) has jurisdiction to award affirmative relief for the alleged tort liability