Having given with one hand,
Racing NSW announced that they would take back with the other by
"clipping the ticket" of owners prizemoney, as they introduce a 1% industry levy (tax) which they will deduct from owners prizemoney to establish a much needed
Horse Welfare Programme.
This levy will put aside
over $2 million per annum for a horse welfare programs including the re-homing of thoroughbreds, to be funded totally as per the announcement, by Racehorse Owners. It appears Racing NSW do not contribute any funding.
Racing NSW simply act as the administrators of this scheme.
It's a sign of the times, as Racing NSW reacts to the state governments shutting down of the greyhound industry.
By retaining 1 per cent of the $204 million in prizemoney to look after horse welfare, retired racing stock will finally have a clear pathway to happiness rather than the current ad hoc processes of owners making their own arrangements..
Racing NSW say they will spend the Owners levy to form a new department, including paying the wages to vets and Racing NSW staff to re-train racehorses and place them within the horse community, beyond their retirement from the track.
Racing NSW’s role will be to use the Owners monies to establish partnerships with riding schools, pony clubs and other equestrian organisations to promote re-homing of thoroughbreds.
"I believe that thoroughbred horses are one of the best looked after and cared for breed of animals by their owners, and this program is just another initiative to continue the great work already being done," said Racing NSW CEO V'landys.
"We need to be aware of community standards and we are being proactive in making sure our horses are cared for throughout their lives.
"The first year there will be more than $2 million to start this initiative and the plan is to keep building it into the future."
V’landys said this initiative will
“ensure that all NSW thoroughbred horses will be appropriately cared for outside of their racing careers.
"This includes ex-racehorses as well as those thoroughbred horses that have never made it to the racetrack."
Racing NSW will spend Owners monies providing resources for the care, retraining and eventual re-homing of all NSW thoroughbred horses including for new careers as equestrian horses, companion or pleasure horses.
Specifically, Racing NSW will administer the:
* Appointment of a dedicated team of staff to manage the program, including a Horse Welfare Veterinarian;
* Establishment of partnerships with riding schools, pony clubs, local agricultural societies and other equestrian organisations to promote the re-homing of thoroughbred horses;
* Expansion of the current Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Program with additional re-trainers to vastly increase the capacity for new horses;
* Raising awareness for thoroughbred welfare and undertaking training days for their new owners.
The initiative is timely and necessary given the focus on animal husbandry and welfare issues since the Baird Government’s controversial decision to shut down the greyhound industry.
The welfare scheme was a central pillar of a package that takes racing in NSW to a level beyond and the envy of any other open jurisdiction in the world.
The benefits were spread across the three sections, metropolitan, provincial and country racing.
The ATC also announced plans for an expanded night racing series and has the goal of putting lights in at Rosehill and Randwick in coming years.
ATC chief executive Darren Pearce confirmed the club is looking to have a synthetic racing surface in Sydney with Warwick Farm the preferred option.
Also there is the desire to introduce an equine centre of excellence at the Olympic equestrian centre at Horsley Park, along with the ATC's willingness to focus on further infrastructure for the industry.
"It's time to make Sydney racing the strongest and most competitive racing in the world," Pearce said.
"These prizemoney increases are just one part of the ATC's focus and long-term strategy to grow a stronger and sustainable future for Sydney racing for decades to come.
"The ATC will continue to help fund investment into racetracks, training infrastructure and our spectator facilities, for the benefit of everyone in racing."
There has never been a better time to be an Owner of a Racehorse than RIGHT NOW and NSW Leads the WORLD for Prizemoney returns to its owners.
