The National Horse Racing Alliance (NHRA), representing a large number of owners, trainers, breeders, bloodstock agents and organisations, has reaffirmed its support for the actions being undertaken by the current board and CEO of Racing NSW in relation to the Racefields Legislation and the protection of funding to the NSW Racing Industry.
Since forming in late 2009, the NHRA has argued that future investment and employment in the racing industry was largely dependent on wagering operators paying an appropriate product fee based on betting turnover rather than gross profit. The NHRA has been formed to give industry participants a national voice and influence on issues affecting their very livelihoods. In December 2009 in both its oral and written submissions to the Productivity Commission, the NHRA highlighted the need for certainty based on a fair return to those trainers, owners, jockeys, strappers, farriers, transport drivers, breeders and numerous others who produce the racing product. A product fee based on anything other than turnover was too great a risk and provided unreasonable levels of uncertainty.
The CEO and Board of Racing NSW have demonstrated their determination to secure a fair outcome for all racing industry participants, despite significant resistance from free riders to a product fee based on turnover. The NHRA is well aware of the damage cAUSed to the UK racing industry from wagering operators unwilling to pay a fair price for the racing product in that market, and is not prepared to endorse the same strategies that will further damage the Australian Racing Industry.
The inaugural members of the NHRA include Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association (TROA), NSW Trainers Association (NSWTA), Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), Inglis, Magic Millions and the Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA).
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