6 RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2021 As Racing Australia’s first Independent Chairman I would like to thank the Directors for the opportunity and responsibility to continue the work and advances achieved by the outgoing Racing Australia Chairman, Greg Nichols, who remains on the Board as a Director representing Racing Victoria. Greg has made an excellent contribution as Chairman, particularly over the last 16 months, dealing with the many challenges our industry has faced due to the direct and indirect impacts of Covid-19. Australia has a dynamic and energetic Thoroughbred Racing and Breeding framework delivering returns to owners that are unprecedented. Returns to owners and participants has increased by approximately 82% in the last 10 years and that trajectory looks set to continue with the Total Returns available for racing season reaching over $870m. In the past year the economic resilience of the Australian Thoroughbred Industry was to the fore when Covid-19 restricted our movements and disrupted our daily lives. However, racing and breeding continued, maintaining employment and investment. Yearling sale results demonstrated that very same commitment by participants with the gross increasing year on year by over 30%. The value of the continuity of service provided by the Racing Australia Team during such a period of uncertainty should not be underestimated; racing continued, breeding continued and expansion in our regulatory framework continued to ensure the health and wellbeing of athletes, both equine and human. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The Racing Australia Board has implemented initiatives in 2020/21 that will change the fabric of Racing and Breeding for the betterment of our sport. WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT FORUM In a first for the Industry, Racing Australia with the Principal Racing Authorities, Godolphin and Thoroughbred Industry Careers hosted a Workforce Development Forum which provided a creative environment to share ideas to expand our workforce via the theme Obtain.Train.Retain. Left to right on Panel: Ciaron Maher, Toby Liston, Chris Waller, Katie Page, Lizzie Jelfs.
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