8 RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2024 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. In 2022 – 2023, a pilot study was expanded to include some of the pathogens that commonly cause respiratory symptoms and abortions, alongside the original menu of Klebsiella pneumoniae capsule serotypes 1, 2, and 5, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the pre-breeding panel. In 2023 – 2024 the pilot program transformed into a standard offering for breeders along with an expansion of testing in infectious causes of abortions. 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 PRAs, engaged with the Federal Government to provide positive representation on a number of issues. We have engaged the services of the Diplomacy lobby group to increase effectiveness in this area. 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. As part of this engagement Racing Australia established the Parliamentary Group “Friends of Thoroughbred Racing” and held a successful inaugural event at Parliament House in early October 2024. In relation to visas and Core Sills 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. For the first time in a number of years Racing Australia was asked to address the National State Racing Ministers Conference held in Sydney. 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 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. Adoption of Asian Screening Limit (ASL) for Dexamethasone. Dexamethasone is used in horses as an antiinflammatory corticosteroid muscle relaxant. This amendment brings Australia into line with the Asian Screening Limits. 2. Adoption of International Screening Limit (ISL) for Procaine (in plasma) and Asian Screening Limit (ASL) for Procaine (in urine). 3. Australian Residue Limits (ARL) and Definition (Rule) & Preamble. AR2 and AR257B. 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. 4. Cannabinoids – addition to Prohibited List A. This addition was put in place to deal with a loophole created following TGA approval of a new cannabidiol substance. 5. Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs) – amendment to AR248, AR17, AR253, AR286 and Definition for SARM’s Clearing Certificate. Interest in SARM’s has increased following in vitro and in vivo studies showing these compounds to be effective anabolic agonists, without side-effects often associated with anabolic-androgenic steroids. The persistent threat of SARM misuse necessitated a review the Rules of Racing, specifically AR248 Administration of anabolic androgenic steroids, to ensure that the principle to control the long-term effects of anabolic substances is applied to SARM’s and maintain integrity and welfare. 6. Eligibility to Race (Horse) - Specified Prohibited Practices • Blistering - AR88C • Chemical - Castration AR88D • Bloodletting - AR88E The above where deemed prohibited practices from a welfare, treatment effectiveness and integrity perspective. In proven cases the ineligibility to race is 12 months.
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