Racing Australia is the top Australian racing and breeding management body, comprising two territories and six state racing authorities. This article offers a detailed insight into Racing Australia, including its history, current role, and structure.
Racing Australia History
Thoroughbred horse racing is one of the most popular spectator sports in Australia. The horse racing industry in the country is a billion-dollar enterprise comprising hundreds of race clubs and racecourses and employing thousands of individuals in various roles.
The Australian Racing Board was established in 1998 as the country’s top administration organisation for thoroughbred racing. The organisation was responsible for overseeing the affairs of the Principal Racing Authorities, which are the statutory bodies for horse racing in each territory and state. The Principal Racing Authorities established the Australian Racing Board via a consensual agreement to enforce and follow the Australian horse racing rules within the board’s authority.
In September 2014, the Australian Racing Board, the Australian Stud Book, and Racing Information Services of Australia were merged via a consolidation effort to form Racing Australia as the national body for managing thoroughbred racing in the country. The consolidation was enforced via the agreement of the eight Principal Racing Authorities of Australia.
As a prelude to the merger with Racing Australia, the Australian Stud Book was acquired from its joint owners, the Victoria Racing Club and Racing Information Services of Australia’s Australian Turf Club. The idea behind the unification of the databases of the authoritative bodies was to enhance the integrity and make the system more efficient and cost-effective. The newly formed Racing Australia officially began its operations in March 2015.
Racing Australia’s Role
As the top management body, Racing Australia supersedes the principal clubs’ authorities, which were previously the sovereign bodies in their respective states and continued to exert their authority until separate governing bodies were formed under government reforms.
As mentioned earlier, Racing Australia’s board constitutes the respective principal bodies in each state. The management board is responsible for determining racing rules, formation and upkeep of pattern racing committees, administering graded races, and establishing various advisory committees to maintain standardization in processes between the states and form a national racing calendar accepted across the board.
Principal Racing Authorities under Racing Australia
Racing Australia comprises two territories and six state racing bodies, termed the Principal Racing Authorities. They are mentioned below.
Australian Capital Territory
The Canberra Racing Club is the principal club for overseeing racing in the Federal Capital Territory.
Northern Territory
The Thoroughbred Racing Northern Territory, formerly known as the Darwin Turf Club, oversees racing in the region.
Victoria
Victoria is home to some of the most significant races held in Australia, including the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup. The primary racing club is the Victoria Racing Club, while the governing body is Racing Victoria Limited. There are two other clubs as well, including the Moonee Valley Racing Club and Melbourne Racing Club. Victoria is also home to many renowned racecourses, including Flemington, Mornington, Tatura, etc.
New South Wales
The Australian Turf Club is the principal race club in the state. The major tracks in the region include Kembla Grange, Canterbury Park, Rosehill Gardens, Warwick, and Randwick.
South Australia
The principal racing body in South Australia is called Thoroughbred Racing SA, while the leading club is South Australian Jockey Club. The club organises races at the Morphettville Racecourse. Previously, races were also organised at Victoria Club and Cheltenham until the early 2000s. South Australia is also home to the Oakbank Racing Club’s Oakbank Easter Racing Carnival.
Queensland
Next, we have Queensland, where Racing Queensland is the governing body, and the Brisbane Racing Club is the primary club. The Brisbane Racing Club was formed through the merger of the Brisbane Turf Club and Queensland Turf Club. Queensland is home to the renowned Stradbroke Handicap, which is held at Eagle Farm and has a distance of 1400m. Besides Brisbane, there are other racecourses, including the Toowoomba Racecourse and the Gold Coast. Queensland is also known for its country racing features, the most prominent race being the Roma Cup, held in November every year.
Western Australia
The principal racing authority in Western Australia is Racing and Wagering Western Australia, a government-run enterprise. The primary race club in the region is Perth Racing, previously known as Western Australia Turf Club. The most prominent racecourses in the area are the Ascot Racecourse and Belmont Park. Other courses include Pinjarra, Geraldton, York, and Northam, among others.
Western Australia is home to Perth Cup, which is held at the Ascot on New Year’s Day annually. Other prominent races include Kingston Town Classic, Winterbottom Stakes, and Railway Stakes.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council is the primary racing authority in the region, while the main club is the Tasmanian Turf Club. The most prominent racing facilities include the Elwick Racecourse, Tasman Park, and the King Island Racing Club.
