Agreement Reached On Breeder Rule

TBA Chairman Basil Nolan | tbaus.com

Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia have come to an agreement on the rules of racing relating to breeders and foal owners. Racing Australia announced plans earlier this year to bring breeders under the rules of racing, making Thoroughbreds traceable from birth for integrity and welfare reasons. The rule amendment also included a requirement to declare ownership of foals, and meant breeders would be governed by the rules of racing when signing stallion and mare returns or new breeder registration forms.

The TBA opposed this move due to concerns of increased administrative and financial burdens on stud farms. Racing Australia and the TBA have been working together to come to an agreement, and revealed on Friday that stewards would only be given access to stud farms to test for steroids in young horses, prohibited substances in racehorses and to monitor the health and welfare of all horses. Therefore, owners and breeders filing foal ownership declarations agree to be bound by the rules of racing related to welfare, traceability, banning of steroids and prohibited substances in racehorses.

The organization also revealed plans to form a Racing and Breeding Advisory Committee, with representatives from both sectors, to address future issues concerning racing and breeding.

“Integrity and a drug-free racing environment is critical to the confidence of the public in the Thoroughbred racing industry,” said John Messara, chairman of Racing Australia. “Equally as important is ensuring the health and welfare of our horses. It is our aim that Australia has rules of racing that represent world's best-practice and address all of these issues.”

“These new rules ensure that there is traceability of all Thoroughbred horses from birth until they are rehomed when they are no longer involved in the Thoroughbred racing industry,” Messara added.

TBA Chairman Basil Nolan, added, “The board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is pleased that we have come to an agreement with Racing Australia and I would say both parties have discussed our issues in good faith. We look forward to continuing this consultative relationship with the newly established Racing and Breeding Advisory Committee.”

“Everybody involved in racing and breeding knows that welfare is of paramount importance to what we do and I think all participants can take comfort from the fact the Australian industry is setting world's best-practice,” Nolen added.

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