About the Australian Racing Board

The Australian Racing Board (ARB) was established in June, 1998. The precursors to the ARB were the Australian Conference of Principal Racing Clubs (ACPC) and the National Office of Australian Racing (NOAR). The ACPC was a meeting of the Principal Clubs – held at Easter in Sydney and during the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne – which can be traced back to the early 1900s. The NOAR was established in 1990 to provide a secretariat for the ACPC.

In 2003 the ARB was incorporated and the Australian Racing Board Limited (ARBL) then became constituted as a company limited by guarantee. It is a not-for-profit organisation with objectives that are concentrated on developing, encouraging and promoting the sport of thoroughbred racing throughout Australia.

Its members are the Principal Racing Authorities (PRAs) that supervise and control thoroughbred racing in each State and Territory.

Under its Constitution ARBL is established to make, change and administer the Australian Rules of Racing and to otherwise do all things whatsoever that the Board considers to be conducive to developing, encouraging, promoting or managing the Australian thoroughbred racing industry.

ARBL has established the following structure to carry out its charter:

Australian Rules of Racing

The Australian Rules of Racing are the standard gauge railway on the basis of which Australian racing events are conducted. They consist of:

1.Interpretation

2.Stewards

(Providing for the appointment, functions and powers of the Stewards)

3.Registration

(Providing for the registration of race clubs and race meetings and the appointment, functions and powers of the Registrar of Racehorses)

4.Race Meetings

(Providing uniform conditions for the conduct of race meetings including nominations and acceptances, stakes and forfeits, weight penalties and allowances, scratching, weighing out and weighing in, starting, running, judging and protests)

5.Licensing

(Providing for licensing of jockeys, apprentice jockeys, amateur riders and trainers, their movement between States and outside Australia, apprentices allowances, rider safety)

6.Syndicates

(Regulating the formation, conduct and termination of racing syndicates)

7.Offences

(Proscribing dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable actions or practices in connection with racing, including setting out the regime relating to prohibited substances)

8.Penalties

(Providing for the penalties of reprimands, fines, suspension, disqualification, warning off to be applied in circumstances of breaches of the ARR)

9.Constitutional

(Describing the structure and powers of ARBL)

Advancing Racing’s Political Objectives

ARBL works to ensure that the ARI’s interests are coordinated and advanced in dealings with Governments at State and Federal levels.

This has included negotiation of numerous major national and state issues, including:

The impact of GST on the racing and breeding sectors and securing ATO funding for Australia-wide industry GST education (completed);

The impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) quarantine protocols on the importation of horses for the Spring Racing Carnival and shuttle stallion breeding operations (completed);

The granting of a wagering carveout in the (Cth) Interactive Gambling Act 2000 (completed);

Representations to State Governments on Principal Club restructuring (ongoing)

Securing GST-free status for thoroughbreds exported within 12 months of sale (completed);

Formal integration of Australian Racing into Tourism Australia decision making and programs by:

a formal link between Tourism Australia and the ARB or indirectly through a specific sports tourism program including racing;

appointment of racing industry participants as International Tourism Ambassadors;

recognition of Australian Racing in National Events Calendar; and

quarantine protocols for the import of horses to race and breed in Australia.

Biosecurity Australia and AQIS import risk assessments relating to horses entering Australia to race or breed (ongoing)

The Australasian Conference of Racing Ministers consideration of betting exchange and cross-border betting issues (ongoing)

Commonwealth Government treatment of betting exchanges and enforcement of Interactive Gambling Act prohibitions by financial transactions controls (ongoing)

Government

Establishing and fostering strong working relationships at the political and departmental levels, including participation in government/industry partnerships, ensuring that the Commonwealth and State Governments are at all times aware of the views and objectives of ARBL.

Industry

Establishing effective lines of communication with industry stakeholders which inform the industry of ARBL’s views and objectives and involve them in meaningful consultation.

Media

Developing and maintaining a strong media awareness of the ARBL as a primary source of industry information and credible advice on issues relating to the racing industry, promoting positive understanding, knowledge and media coverage of the industry.

International

Establishing the ARBL as the globally recognised representative of the Australian thoroughbred racing industry with the capacity to promote the industry’s interests internationally.