RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2024 9 7. Bleeder Rule – AR79 – amendment. Following advice from experts, this amendment to put a 2 month blanket ban on exercise following a first attack of bleeding was brought in for horse welfare and rider safety. 8. National Equipment Register Updates • Inclusion of STEP Stirrup Irons – stainless steel version • Inclusion of VIPA III Safety vets following confirmation of conformity to EN13158:2018 9. Race Riding Boots with embedded lead banned – AR186 amendments. This amendment was made to improve integrity and clarify AR186 as to where weight could be carried. 10. Trainer conclusively treated as representative of the owner for the purposes of procedural fairness and natural justice - AR109A and AR223. 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 trainer or trainer’s representative. The amendment to AR223 clarifies that any relevant investigation or inquiry is not required to have commenced for prizemoney to be withheld. 11. Care and Welfare of horses - AR231 amendment. This amendment is in response to a September 2020 Victorian Supreme Court decision in the matter of Jody Thompson which limited the ambit of AR 231(1) (b). Following extensive consultation, the amendments were made to reverse the precedent established in that case. It is considered these amendments are necessary for the promotion and championing of equine welfare 12. Prohibited Practices – AR88C, AR88D, AR88E, AR85 amendments. Specific amendments were introduced to explicitly prohibit persons from these practices, bringing the rules into alignment with AR86, AR87, AR254 and AR254A. These rules represent the racing industries commitment to continual review and improvement of horse welfare, health and safety. Racing Australia in conjunction with the PRAs will continue to review and, if appropriate, introduce rules that promote and improve racing. RESEARCH Racing Australia maintains a research and development fund specifically aimed at horse and participant welfare and safety. Projects are evaluated on an ongoing basis for their ability to deliver positive outcomes for welfare and safety. At present Racing Australia is in the final stages of evaluating a critical research project into predicting catastrophic bone fatigue to reduce equine injuries. Further announcements regarding this project are expected in the near future. RACING AUSTRALIA BOARD During the year Racing Australia farewelled with thanks Board Members Mr Russell Balding AO, and Mr Greg Nichols and welcomed Mr Peter V’landys AM and Mr Tim Eddy. Racing Australia farewelled Alternate Director Mr Andrew Jones and welcomed Alternate Directors Mr Pete Sweney and Mr Aaron Morrison. INTERNATIONAL REPRESENTATION Racing Australia is a member of the following International Horse Racing Organisations: • Asian Racing Federation • International Federation Horseracing Authorities and has representation on the following International Committees: • Asian Racing Federation Executive Committee • Asian Racing Federation Drug Control Committee (DCC) • Asian Racing Federation Asian Pattern Committee • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Executive Committee • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Gene Council on Anti-Illegal Betting and Related Financial Crime (AIBRFC) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Gene Doping Control Subcommittee • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Advisory Council on Equine Prohibited Substances & Practices (ACEPSP) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Horse Welfare Committee (HWC) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities International Grading and Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities International Harmonisation of Racing Rules Committee (IHRRC) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities International Movement of Horses Committee (IMHC) • International Federation Horseracing Authorities Technical Advisory Council (TAC) • International Stud Book Committee • Asia and Oceania Stud Book Committee
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