Cover image courtesy of Equate
Following the success of the inaugural Equate forum in Scone in 2024, the second annual forum will be held at Flemington Racecourse on July 24 this year. Equate '25 promises to deliver bold insights at the intersection of artificial intelligence, data analytics, animal welfare and equine performance. A field trip is being planned for Wednesday July 23.
“Around three years ago, I launched Breedr, a digital stallion booking portal but I quickly realised that it was immediately taken up by younger people but there is an inertia around adopting technology across the racing and breeding industry,” said Equate founder Tom Seymour.
“I wanted to try and address that, and so I created Equate, an event designed to grow awareness around existing and future tools to help the industry. I also wanted to showcase all the other talented people who work in the technology space, and all the amazing products and outputs they do across the innovation field. Equate provides a platform to let the industry know about the myriad of little companies like Breedr all fighting the technology headwind.
Tom Seymour | Image courtesy of Equate
“I could see what other industries were doing, with investment into innovation and practical tools that were having huge benefits in animal welfare and equally large efficiency gains in labour and workplace safety. That was the key driver for me. In some ways, it was born of frustration through seeing what other industries were doing too.”
Equate 25 keynote speakers
"Equate champions the quiet achievers, the developers, start-ups, vets, breeders, and data specialists, who are building tools that improve care, management, and performance. This isn’t about ego, it’s about betterment for everyone.
"We want to showcase the talent and technology already available in our industry, or thriving in other AgTech sectors. We want the industry to appeal as a career option to the next generation."
The keynote speakers who have been announced for Equate 25 are: Neal French, Director at Google who will speak on the evolution of AI and the next wave of transformational technology; Josh Kadlec-Cavanagh, Head of Data & Performance at Ciaron Maher Racing, talking about how advanced analytics are extending equine athletic performance and durability; and Garnett Hall, Founder of VetChip, on the rise of real-time biometric tracking to improve equine welfare and performance monitoring.
Joining them is Michael Ristuccia, GM of Technology at Tabcorp, outlining what’s next in wagering innovation and how it will reshape the punter experience; and Melissa Green, former Meta executive, on harnessing Facebook and Instagram for modern equine marketing and introducing Meta’s AI-powered wearables set to change horse inspections. Dr John Penry, Principal Scientist at Dairy Australia, will discuss how targeted innovation funding has improved productivity, welfare, and staff retention in dairy, and what the thoroughbred sector can learn.
The day will also feature an innovation yard, showcasing breakthrough products, services and startups reshaping the equine industry.
The inaugural Equate in 24
“Last year, we held the inaugural even in Scone and it was supported by a broad cross section of the industry, all ages and levels of experience, which was exactly what we were trying to achieve. Off the back of last year, we felt there was a tangible shift from audience engagement and a change in perception and an appetite for more which is really encouraging.”
Video: Watch a video of Equate 24 here
Frustration didn’t dampen the enthusiasm
After 2024's successful event, Seymour canvassed the state PRAs and Racing Australia to build support for more. “We optimistically wanted to do a road show and broaden the awareness and reach but unfortunately could not generate a single digit of interest from any our regulators or governing bodies.
"The spirit of collaboration at Equate ’24 was a breath of fresh air. If regulators won’t engage, we’re left with no choice but to push forward together. Equate exists to close that gap, and with the amazing support of some key stakeholders in the industry, we’ve been able to make Equate 25 a reality in Victoria.”
“With the amazing support of some key stakeholders in the industry, we’ve been able to make Equate 25 a reality in Victoria.” - Tom Seymour
On the funding for the event, Seymour was equally as bold. “We’ve strategically not asked the stud farms for money, who sponsor everything in this industry, because we are adamant that this should be an industry funded event. Any other agricultural sector with similar state bodies hold similar events. Dairy Australia hold three of this type of event a year.”
Beef Australia has a massive event once a year, attended by a record 125,000 people in 2024, which includes a technology forum.
“This year is full steam ahead and I’m so grateful to our speakers who have generously donated their time to support the innovation cause and help the industry awaken from its innovation slumber. We want to help both those with existing careers in the industry and also those looking towards us as potential career pathways.
“I’m so grateful to our speakers who have generously donated their time to support the innovation cause and help the industry awaken from its innovation slumber.” - Tom Seymour
Reframing the narrative around technology
Seymour's passion for using technology to improve how people engage with various aspects of the Thoroughbred industry shines in the discussion.
“Just like last year, we will do some workshops so it’s not all just being talked at, and last year people felt these were engaging and they came away with new skills. I’m sympathetic to people who struggle with tech, because if their first experience has been tricky then it’s off-putting to try again. I want people to be encouraged to learn again and have another go at using technology in their world.
“Equate 25 will be the best exposure to what the (technology) landscape will look like in the next five years.” - Tom Seymour
“Equate 25 will be the best exposure to what the (technology) landscape will look like in the next five years, and I believe that will help businesses understand how to plan for their own futures better too.”
Equate 25 isn't just about showcasing the available technology and removing the 'scare' factor for engaging with it. Seymour also wants the industry leaders to engage with technological tools and feels Equate 25 is the place to begin this journey of building solutions that assist everyone.
"There’s a growing disconnect between rule-makers and the people on the ground. Equate creates a neutral, constructive space for all stakeholders to engage. We urgently need to rebalance funding, with less towards endless academic research, and more toward tangible cost-saving tools that help the ‘now’ and sustain our industry into the future."
