All I am able to assume regarding this, is that because one union issues rings early, the RPRA are jumping on the bandwagon instead of vilifying the practice. 2018 YB's are all born on 1st January, or at least should be just as all racehorses are. I receive my rings mid-December. I sort them into Club batches and supply the Clubs by late December. The Secretaries are instructed to, and to the best of my knowledge, distribute the rings to members not before 1st January.