Cover image courtesy of Georgia Young Photography
Written by William Johnson
Last week’s result drew a line in the sand. We’ve debated long enough – the time for action is now.
This isn’t about the winners and losers from Rosehill. Most of us agree on the real issue: the future of Australian racing – how it is built, and who builds it.
What started as a vote against the sale of Rosehill has exposed cracks that run much deeper. It’s shown we need a reset – not just in NSW, but across the country. The status quo is broken. If we want a future, we have to build it differently.
William Johnson | Image courtesy of William Johnson Bloodstock
A national sport, not a patchwork of states
Let’s step back for a moment. Why is a global sport being run like a patchwork of disconnected state-run businesses, divided among 28 million people? Racing has been part of international sport for over 200 years. It wasn’t built to be carved up into small, isolated parts – it’s a shared product that spans continents.
Look at how the AFL runs its national competition. There’s a central body that protects the interests of each state, ensures fairness, and drives the sport forward. It’s time racing had the same – an organisation that manages the national product as a whole, ensuring no region is left behind, and no state operates in isolation.
The conveyor belt illusion
To borrow from Howard Marks, the industry has been moving along on borrowed momentum – like standing on a moving walkway at the airport. It feels like you’re making progress, but the moment you step off, the reality hits: you’re carrying your own luggage, and the grind is real.
Since the GFC, we’ve been gliding forward without addressing the real issues. Now we’ve hit the end of the belt – it’s time to walk. We need to put in the work and build a system that can carry the industry forward on its own strength.
Governance reform: the foundation for change
This isn’t just about wagering. The governance of the sport is outdated. The NSW Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 is nearly 30 years old and no longer fit for purpose. We need stronger frameworks across each state, real accountability, and transparency. No more band-aids – structural reform is the only way forward.
Three priorities for immediate action
1. Independent oversight
Every state’s PRA must face scrutiny. Racing Acts must be reviewed and rewritten, ensuring that Racing Integrity Commissioners, Auditors-General and when necessary, ICAC have proper oversight.
2. Board Renewal
The leadership of Australian racing must balance deep experience with fresh thinking. We need those who bring decades of knowledge, alongside those who can ask the hard questions about where the industry is heading in 5, 10, 20 years.
3. Infrastructure Reform
Can we really keep training horses in the middle of suburbia as our cities grow and property values soar? Shouldn’t we be asking whether it makes sense to maintain training centres in places like Randwick? Could these sites be redeveloped to unlock the funding needed for modern, purpose-built facilities in locations that actually support our workforce and the industry’s future?
Training Facilities | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A national industry needs a national vision
We must rethink Racing Australia – its structure, its purpose, and whether it’s ready to manage the future of this industry.
The racing calendar must match the foal crops of today and tomorrow. The Pattern needs streamlining so black type retains its value and relevance globally. Let’s look at the data and build a better model.
And the ownership system? It’s clunky and outdated. We need a centralised national account to manage payments, streamline administration, and hold non-payers accountable. If you’re not paying your bills, you shouldn’t be able to bounce from one stable or stud farm to the next unchecked.
Black type race at Doomben | Image courtesy of Trackside Photography
Building a future for the next generation
This is about the bigger picture: creating a product fit for the modern world, and building an industry that works for everyone: breeders, owners, trainers, staff, and punters alike.
It’s about recognising the value of experience while making space for new voices. It’s about building a future where racing thrives – not just for today, but for the generations to come.
Because here’s the hard truth: if my generation and the next can’t afford to buy a house, how are they supposed to afford $80,000 a year in training fees for a single horse?
