FactBook 2014-2015

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4 5 RACING AUSTRALIA FACT BOOK 2014/15
AUSTRALIAN RULES OF RACING
The Racing Australia Board is the only authority which is
empowered to set and amend the Australian Rules of Racing
which for more than a century have provided common practices,
conditions and integrity standards for thoroughbred racing
throughout Australia.
The individual State and Territory Principal Racing Authorities (PRA’s)
may make Local Rules for specific local conditions provided that
they are not inconsistent with the principles established by the
Australian Rules of Racing.
Broadly described, there are nine parts to the Australian Rules of
Racing:
I. INTERPRETATION
II. STEWARDS
(Providing for the appointment, functions and powers of the
Stewards)
III. REGISTRATION
(Providing for the registration of race clubs and race meetings
and the appointment, functions and powers of the Registrar
of Racehorses)
IV. RACE MEETINGS
(Providing uniform conditions for the conduct of race meetings
including nominations and acceptances, stakes and forfeits,
weight penalties and allowances, scratching, weighing out and
weighing in, starting, running, judging and protests)
V. LICENSING
(Providing for the licensing of jockeys, apprentice jockeys,
amateur riders and trainers, their movement between States
and outside Australia, apprentices allowances, rider safety)
VI. SYNDICATES
(Regulating the formation, conduct and termination of racing
syndicates)
VII. OFFENCES
(Proscribing dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or
dishonourable actions or practices in connection with
racing, including setting out the regime relating to prohibited
substances)
VIII. PENALTIES
(Providing the penalties of fines, suspension, disqualification,
warning off)
IX. CONSTITUTIONAL
(Providing the structure, powers and functions of the
Australian Racing Board)
The major benefits of the Australian Rules have been:
(I) FREE TRAFFIC BETWEEN STATES.
Uniform rules allow horses, trainers and jockeys to move
freely between States.
(II) MUTUAL RECOGNITION OF DISCIPLINARY AND
PROTECTIVE ACTION.
The Australian Rules provide a disciplinary code that has
been tested to the level of the Privy Council, and allow
mutual recognition of disciplinary and protective actions
across the Commonwealth and internationally.
(III) INTERNATIONAL
Racing and wagering are globalising rapidly. The Australian
Rules are recognised by international racing authorities and
wagering operators.
PRINCIPAL RACING AUTHORITIES
The Racing Australia Board’s membership consists of the six State
and two Territory racing authorities, which are recognised by the
Australian Rules as Principal Racing Authorities.
The Principal Racing Authorities in each State and Territory are
as follows:
New South Wales Racing NSW
Victoria Racing Victoria Limited
Queensland Racing Queensland
Western Australia Racing & Wagering Western Australia
South Australia Thoroughbred Racing S.A. Limited
Northern Territory Thoroughbred Racing NT
Tasmania Tasracing Pty Ltd
Australian Capital Territory Canberra Racing Club Inc.
In discharging its responsibility for the control and supervision of
thoroughbred racing in its State or Territory each of these bodies
has such functions as:
• Registering and supervising race clubs
• Licensing trainers, jockeys, bookmakers, bookmakers’ clerks
and other industry participants
• Handicapping
• Industry Marketing
• Industry Publications
• Administration of industry funding
• Appointing Stewards’ panels to apply the Rules of Racing
• Industry strategic planning
MAJOR RACING ASSOCIATIONS
Major Racing Associations are bodies that represent a number
of race clubs within a specific region, usually a group of non-
metropolitan race clubs within a State. The Major Racing
Associations in each State and Territory are as follows:
New South Wales Provincial Racing Association of
NSW Racing NSW Country
Victoria Country Racing Victoria Inc
Queensland Queensland Country Racing
Committee
Western Australia W A Provincial Racing Association
Country Racing Association of WA
South Australia South Australian Racing Clubs Council
The roles of these bodies include:
• To provide collective representation on behalf of race clubs
to Principal Racing Authorities
• Encourage participation and provide benefits from racing for
members, owners, on-course and off-course customers, and
industry participants within their jurisdiction
• Develop relationships with other industry bodies
• Maintaining and enhance racing and training facilities
• Maintaining and enhance customer service and facilities
MAJOR RACE CLUBS
Australia has 371 race Clubs, The Major Race Clubs in each State
and Territory are as follows:
State Club Racetrack(s)
Victoria Victoria Racing Club Flemington
Melbourne Racing Club Caulfield
Sandown
Mornington
Moonee Valley Race Club 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 Western Australian Turf Club 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
Race Club roles and responsibilities include:
• Conducting race meetings
• Club promotion & events
• Club membership
• Management of club wagering and gaming products
• Manage club revenues, costs and assets
• Race programming
• Carnival/Feature race day strategy & development
• Corporate entertainment
• Race sponsorship
• Catering
• Provide training facilities
• Maintain grounds & facilities
INDUSTRY BODIES AND ASSOCIATIONS
There are a number of bodies in Australia that represent the
interests of different stakeholders within the racing and breeding
industry. Some of these bodies have State branches that
represent a smaller membership and provide delegates to a
national body.
National Industry Bodies and Associations are as follows:
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia
Aushorse Ltd
Australian Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Council
Australian Trainers Association
Australian Jockeys Association
Australian Bookmakers Association
Equine Veterinary Association
Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia Limited
The roles and responsibilities of Industry Bodies and Associations
include:
• Representing members at a State and national level
• Represent the interests of members with Federal & State
• Governments
• Liaising with other organisations on behalf of members
• Industry marketing and promotion
NATIONAL INDUSTRY SERVICES PROVIDER
Racing Australia Limited
Racing Australia is the national industry body representing
Thoroughbred racing in Australia.
Commencing operations on the 13th of April 2015, Racing Australia
merged the functions and assets of the Australian Racing Board
(ARB), Racing Information Services Australia (RISA) and the
Australian Stud Book (ASB) into one entity.
Racing never stops and neither does Racing Australia. Its key
Trainers and Racing Service is open seven days a week and other
specialist services operate whenever racing is taking place. Racing
Australia’s escalation and support services are available 24/7, 365
days. Racing Australia’s website provides access and the ability to
transact specific industry functions at any time.
With established products and services and a team of committed
people, Racing Australia is Australia’s leading provider of
innovative low cost services to the Racing Industry.
Importantly, Racing Australia commercialises the industry’s racing
materials on a national basis, through the sale of a variety of
products and services such as Fields, Form and Results to
a diverse range of print and digital publishers domestically
and internationally.
Racing Australia continues to develop and expand the number
of integrated products and services available to Principal Racing
Authorities, race clubs, owners, breeders, trainers, jockeys,
punters and racing enthusiasts.
Industry Governance & National Coordination
Rules - Administer and amend the Australian Rules of Racing and
the Rules of the Australian Stud Book in adherence to world’s
best practice standards of integrity and animal welfare.
Government - Foster strong working relationships at the political
and departmental levels, including participation in government/
industry partnerships, ensuring that the Commonwealth and
State Governments are at all times aware of the views and
objectives of the Australian Thoroughbred racing industry.
Industry - Maintain and build upon effective lines of consultation
and communication which will inform industry stakeholders and
customers of Racing Australia’s aims and objectives.
Media - Promote a better understanding, knowledge and media
coverage of Thoroughbred racing as a local, regional and
national industry and sport.
International - Build on Racing Australia’s position as a globally
recognised influence and standard-setter of Thoroughbred
racing with the capacity to promote Australia’s interests
internationally.
Racing Australia is a member of:
IFHA - International Federation of Horse Associations -
ARF - Asian Racing Federation -
ISBC - International Stud Book Committee -
AUSTRALIAN THOROUGHBRED RACING
STRUCTURE