Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
The latest Parliamentary Friends Of Thoroughbred Racing event was held in Canberra on Monday night with a focus on country racing. Co-chaired by Senator Anthony Chisholm and Dan Tehan MP, and hosted by Jason Richardson, the event showcased a number of racing participants from country racing.
“Country racing is just so important to all of us. If we don’t have country racing, we don’t have racing at all – it’s the backbone to everything,” jockey Kate Pateman told racingwa.com.au after winning last Saturday’s Carnarvon Cup on Pharoah Show (American Pharoah {USA}).
Strong cross section of attendance
The event was hosted by Jason Richardson and co-chaired by Senator Anthony Chisholm and Dan Tehan MP.
Political attendees included Speaker Milton Dick, Cameron Caldwell MP, Senator Raff Ciccone, Senator Carol Brown, Dan Repacholi MP, Senator Susan McDonald, Aaron Violi MP and Rick Wilson MP.
Jockeys Harry Coffey and exciting West Australian apprentice Holly Nottle spoke about the industry’s economic, social and community contribution.
John Manzelmann | Image courtesy of John Manzelmann
Queensland’s retired trainer John Manzelmann was invited to attend by Lachlan Murray, the CEO of Racing Queensland. His son, trainer Lachie Manzelmann recently won the iconic Birdsville Cup with Raetihi (NZ) (Savabeel).
“It was a good experience for me. I haven't been to Canberra before. Everybody there was very positive and it was good to rub shoulders with the people making decisions,” Manzelmann said.
“It was a good experience for me. I haven't been to Canberra before. Everybody there was very positive and it was good to rub shoulders with the people making decisions.” - John Manzelmann
Having a strong cross section of participants from across Australian racing showcased the breadth and depth of the industry.
Representation of leadership across the board
Leaders from across racing were strongly represented with Racing Australia’s Chair Rob Rorrison and CEO Paul Eriksson both attending from the federal body. The event’s focus on racing’s rural impact was made clear with several Size And Scope reports to pull data from.
For example, the 2024/25 Queensland Size And Scope report found that 52% of the $2.5 billion in value generated by the Queensland racing industry was directly contributed and benefited regional economies.
From the state Principal Racing Authorities, Racing Victoria Chair Tim Eddy and CEO Aaron Morrison, Racing NSW Chair Dr Saranne Cook and interim CEO Graeme Hinton, Racing Queensland CEO Lachlan Murray were all in attendance.
Country Racing SA representative and Penola Racing Club deputy chair Justin Kain, Geelong Racing Club CEO Luke Rayner, and Coonamble Jockey Club vice-president Michael Heaney, all spoke on a panel about country life and the contribution of racing to rural communities.
| Breeders | 2234 | 4538 | 6772 | 67% |
| Breeders Staff | 1977 | 4889 | 6866 | 71% |
| Trainers | 811 | 2985 | 3796 | 79% |
| Trainers Staff | 4653 | 8407 | 13060 | 64% |
| Owners | 38746 | 46687 | 85433 | 55% |
| Racing Club Staff | 7508 | 12625 | 20133 | 63% |
| Administration | 1198 | 368 | 1566 | 23% |
| Jockeys | 332 | 554 | 886 | 63% |
| Volunteers | 2213 | 19212 | 21425 | 90% |
| Total | 59672 | 100265 | 159937 | 63% |
Table: Racing Australia Size And Scope Report. Participant data, year unknown
Breeders represent rural communities
Thoroughbred Breeders’ Australia (TBA) represented the farmers and breeders who live in rural communities and employ many people in the rural section. TBA & Aushorse Chairman and Widden Stud Principal Antony Thompson along with TBA & Aushorse CEO Andrew Hore-Lacy were both in attendance.
“It was terrific to see such strong support for the thoroughbred industry from across the political spectrum, and we’re very grateful to Dan Tehan MP and Senator Anthony Chisholm for their leadership of the Parliamentary Friends group and for bringing together such a broad cross-section of political representatives around the importance of country racing,” Thompson said.
Antony Thompson | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“Racing and breeding make a significant contribution to regional Australia, not only through jobs and economic activity, but through the volunteers, businesses and community connections that are such an important part of country life.”
Lobbying events like these keep horse racing at the forefront of the minds of those in power in government and by bringing in a selection of country participants, this event was an effective demonstration of racing’s contribution to rural life.
