8 RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2025 exception of Japan, required compliance with EN 13158 and or ARB 1.1998. USA has additional standards relating to materials testing. The responses indicate that Racing Australia is predominantly in line with other International jurisdictions in relation to jockey vests standards, assessments and approval processes. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT The Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) continues to expand the offering to the equine industry for DNA based identification, genetic testing and disease control. The EGRC is one of only a few equine genetics laboratories internationally that offer pathogen testing alongside traditional genetic testing. The pathogen testing includes testing of pre-breeding panels and the infectious organisms that commonly cause respiratory symptoms and abortions. In May 2025, the infectious disease testing menu was expanded to include two faecal panels to identify common infectious causes of diarrhoea. These include three types of Salmonella, six types of Clostridium, Lawsonia and Cryptosporidium. This service is provided as a next business day turnaround allowing stud managers and horse owners to make timely quarantine and horse management decisions. INTERACTION WITH GOVERNMENT Racing Australia, in conjunction with the PRA’s, engaged with the Federal Government to provide positive representation on a number of issues. In relation to the 31 recommendations outlined in the Report into Online Gambling - Win Some, Lose More, Racing Australia has extensively engaged with both sides of Federal Parliament to explain and educate Ministers on the impacts to the racing Industry regarding Recommendation 16 Inducements and Recommendation 26 Advertising. Wagering is an intrinsic part of racing and exists in a symbiotic relationship with wagering providing over 85% of the funding for racing nationally. We have provided extensive information and examples of how minors and at risk individuals could be protected to achieve harm minimisation. In relation to visas and Core Skills Occupation List Changes, Racing Australia has been reasonably successful in explaining the challenges faced by the racing and breeding industry in relation to recruiting key roles locally. We have been successful in working with government on a number of visa issues. Over the last 12 months we have engaged with the Jobs Skills Council Stakeholder Forum and will continue to do so, looking at ways to promote careers within the industry. Racing Australia addressed the National State Racing Ministers Conference held in Broome. We were able to present our positions on: • Point of Consumption Tax • Win Some, Lose More – online gambling review • The need for a skilled workforce • Improvements in Integrity and Welfare • Improvements in Traceability • Impact of Late FOD enforcement • Research Projects • Changes to the Wholesale of Racing Materials We look forward to engaging with the National State Racing Ministers at their next Conference. AUSTRALIAN RULES OF RACING Throughout the year the Australian Rules of Racing were amended to strengthen welfare and integrity matters. The key amendments include: 1. Amendment of AR 167(2) To address a limitation in AR 167 (2) which restricted the ability to go higher than a 58kg acceptance topweight. 2. Introduction of AR 55A – Frequency of Race Starts Setting the frequency of race starts so that a thoroughbred may not race twice in the same day without permission of stewards and have no more than 5 starts in a 30 day period. 3. Introduction of AR 101A – Trainer responsible for administration of stable This amendment recognises that the trainer at all times has the ultimate responsibility for their stables and the horses under their care and control. 4. Amendment to AR231 - Care and Welfare of horses These amendments were made to promote and champion equine welfare specifically on the body condition of a horse and definitions around veterinary treatment. 5. Amendment to AR 231(5) and AR 283(6) - Use of electric or electronic apparatus To vary the penalty for use of electric or electronic apparatus from 2 years to 5 years disqualification period. 6. Amendment to AR 184 Method of weighing-out and weighing-in To exclude the weight of a breast plate when calculating a riders weight. 7. Amendment to AR2 and AR257B - Australian Residue Limits (ARL) and Definition (Rule) & Preamble. This amendment recognises Residue Limits which are in effect screening limits for substances of environmental origin or those that may be found naturally occurring in a horse’s diet. 8. Introduction of AR109A and Amendment to AR223 - Trainer conclusively treated as representative of the owner for the purposes of procedural fairness and natural justice. AR109A addresses the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice under the Rules of Racing for a horse owner to be given notice of, and an opportunity to be heard at, an investigation or stewards’ inquiry with the notice being given to the
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