Australian Groups Agree on Rule Amendments

Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, at odds for months over new rules that bring breeders under racing administrators, have been working together and amended regulations pertaining to breeders and foal owners.

Earlier this year, Racing Australia announced its efforts to make Thoroughbreds traceable from birth while citing the need to ensure the integrity of racing and the welfare of horses. Many breeders have been adamantly opposed to the new rules—they previously had no say in how they would be administered—including one that would require them to agree to come under the rules of racing when lodging a mare return.

Racing Australia has since agreed to form a new body called the Australian Racing and Breeding Committee, with representatives of both racing and breeding, which will meet at least four times a year to discuss industry issues.

As a result of recent discussions between the two groups, rules now clarify that the stewards will only have access to studs and farms to test for anabolic androgenic steroids in young horses, prohibited substances in racehorses, and to monitor the health and welfare of horses generally, Racing Australia said in a Sept. 16 release.

Racing Australia also has clarified that a representative of a foal owner, such as a farm manager, can return the Foal Ownership Declaration when they have written approval to act as an agent for that owner. Earlier this year, Racing Australia said the new racing and stud book rules would make acceptance into the Australian Stud Book conditional on foals being registered within 30 days of foaling and their owners being declared within a further 30 days.

"The clarification will provide comfort to many farms and studs, especially those with large numbers of clients or those which complete paperwork on behalf of clients," TBA said on its website.

Racing Australia chairman John Messara, also owner of Arrowfield Stud, said integrity and a drug-free racing environment is critical to the confidence of the public in the Thoroughbred racing industry.

"Equally as important is ensuring the health and welfare of our horses," he said. "It is our aim that Australia has rules of racing that represent world's best practices and address all of these issues. These new rules ensure that there is traceability of all Thoroughbred horses from birth until they are re-homed when they are no longer involved in the Thoroughbred racing industry. It's pleasing that the matter has finally been resolved with the TBA."

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia chairman Basil Nolan said: "The board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is pleased that we have come to an agreement with Racing Australia and I would say both parties have discussed our issues in good faith. We look forward to continuing this consultative relationship with the newly established Racing and Breeding Advisory Committee.

"Everybody involved in racing and breeding knows that welfare is of paramount importance to what we do and I think all participants can take comfort from the fact the Australian industry is setting world's best practice."