Racing Australia Fact Book 2017/18

2 RACING AUSTRALIA FACT BOOK 2017/2018 RACING AUSTRALIA Australian Thoroughbred Racing Structure Major Race Clubs Australia has 385 race Clubs, the major race clubs in each State and Territory are: State Club Racetrack(s) Victoria Victoria Racing Club Flemington Melbourne Racing Club Caulfield Sandown Mornington MooneeValley RacingClub Moonee Valley New South Wales Australian Turf Club Randwick Rosehill Canterbury Warwick Farm Queensland Brisbane Racing Club Eagle Farm Doomben South Australia South Australian Jockey Club Morphettville Western Australia Pertth Racing Ascot Belmont Park Tasmania Tasmanian Racing Club Hobart (Elwick) Tasmanian Turf Club Launceston (Mowbray) ACT Canberra Racing Club Canberra Northern Territory Darwin Turf Club Fannie Bay Equine Genetics Research Centre The establishment of Australian racing’s first equine genetics laboratory service was announced in October 2017. The Racing Australia Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) was officially opened by Mr John Messara AM and Mr Russell Balding AO on April 23, 2018 in Scone, NSW. The Core Business The EGRC will perform parentage verification and DNA profiling for the Australian Stud Book and approximately 30 other breed associations. The Centre will also initially offer DNA testing for 11 genetic diseases and 18 other phenotypic traits, many of these related to colours and markings. These include three new tests that were not previously offered. Projected numbers of tests processed annually * Australian Thoroughbreds – parentage verification 12,700 Imported Thoroughbreds – DNA profiled to confirm identity 1,500 Non-Thoroughbred – parentage verification 5,500 Non-Thoroughbred – diagnostic testing 1,600 Total DNA tests performed annually 21,300 * Figures based on previous numbers processed The Research The Director of the EGRC is a contributing member of the International Equine Genome Mapping Workshop, a group of international scientists that collaborate to develop resources and knowledge to support horse genetics research. She currently has projects investigating: • leading a world first program to develop tests to detect gene doping in racehorses. • the discovery of areas of the genome under selection in Thoroughbreds – what makes Thoroughbreds different to other breeds? • the association of inbreeding levels with declines in performance • novel genetic markers for coat colour patterns • the genetic cause of a congenital heart defect in Arabian horses In 2018, the EGRC participated in the International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) in Dubai, March 2018; the Asian Racing Conference (ARC) in Seoul, May 2018 and the International Equine Genetics Workshop in Pavia in September 2018. The Director is also a member of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities Gene Doping Control Subcommittee. Outreach and Education The Centre can offer advice on how to avoid breeding horses affected by genetic diseases. It will hold educational seminars to all interested parties including a general information evening for Thoroughbred breeders early in the new year and will host its first international guest speakers for an all-breeds forum in March 2019.