Racing Australia Annual Report 2019

8 | RACING AUSTRALIA ANNUAL REPORT 2019 CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORT Thoroughbred racing is an international sport. In April, racing’s global leaders assembled in Sydney to honour John Messara AM who was presented with the International Award of Merit by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). This prestigious Award was bestowed on John in recognition of the leadership, dedication and excellence demonstrated during his lifelong contribution to Thoroughbred racing and breeding. The owner of Arrowfield Stud near Scone, John has been closely involved in racing administration both locally and worldwide, including as Chairman of Racing Australia, Chairman of Racing New South Wales, Vice President of the Asian Racing Federation and as member of the IFHA’s Executive Council. In all roles, John has fearlessly pursued reforms designed to advance racing, including the 2016 traceability reforms when he stared down significant opposition from a number of breeders. IN BOTH THE BREEDING AND RACING SECTORS, THE AUSTRALIAN RACING INDUSTRY HAS DEMONSTRATED INNOVATIVE MEASURES AND COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE AND INTEGRITY WHICH IS RECOGNISED, AND OFTEN ENVIED, IN OTHER RACING NATIONS. Barry O’Farrelll, Chief Executive Officer The acknowledgement of John Messara highlighted a feature of racing often overlooked as industry participants work tirelessly at studs, stables and racetracks across the length and breadth of our nation: Australian racing is world class. Racing Australia’s 2016 traceability reforms led the world and have been replicated in Britain and other jurisdictions. Innovations like The Everest and the All-Star Mile, which have brought new fans to racetracks have been closely monitored internationally as global racing seeks to renew and refresh the sport to younger generations. With these achievements and advances comes challenges which Racing Australia continues to address. Nationally last year 181,981 Thoroughbreds started in 19,369 races at 354 racetracks Australia-wide. Racing Australia recognises and assists nationally the efforts made to ensure growth and benefits occur across all States and Territories. During the year Racing Australia strongly supported the proposal for a National Horse Traceability Register for all Horses. In April a submission was made to the Senate committee enquiring into the proposal. This type of register—which currently operate in countries like Ireland, Britain and across Europe— would offer a number of benefits to the Thoroughbred industry including strengthening our existing biosecurity and quarantine regimes in preventing disease outbreaks and pest invasion. However, its most important benefit would be to fill the ‘gap’ created when Thoroughbreds retire from racing. The 2016 traceability reforms ensure that from birth until racing retirement, the location and ownership records of the industry’s Thoroughbred horses are known to racing authorities, who if concerned about their welfare, mistreatment or doping, can enter properties to investigate. While the reforms provide authorities with the name and location of a racehorse up until it is sold at retirement, racing stewards and vets do not have the same authority to enter properties and monitor Thoroughbreds when they retire from racing. The introduction of the proposed National Traceability Register, while not envisaged to give additional powers to racing authorities, would for the first time ensure the ownership and location details were recorded and available to