-
allowing
for the successive rounds of spending in the economy which follow from expenditure
by the racing industry, direct plus indirect income and employment due to
the racing industry in Australia totals some $ 7.7 billion and 240,000 Australians
(or 77,000 full time equivalents) respectively.
-
Breeding
and racing are amongst the most labour intensive of all Australian industries
and provide jobs in a diverse range of callings. Much of this employment
consists of jobs in regional areas where genuine local employment opportunities
are scarce.
-
Measured
by attendances, racing is Australia's second most popular sport. 1.7m people
attend a race meeting at least once a year. This is second only in popularity
to Australian Rules football. For most rural communities their Cup race
day and the agricultural show are the two social highlights of the year
- and for those not large enough to have an agricultural show the annual
race day is their major opportunity to socialise as a community.
-
Australian
racing spans both the calendar and the continent. A total of 22,000 races
are held each year, staged in Australia and equating to an average of 60
races per day.
-
Australian
Racing is a significant contributor to both the economy and way of life
in regional Australia. Almost half ($3.8 billion) of the gross economic
impact from the thoroughbred racing industry is generated in non-metropolitan
regions.
-
Per capita
Australia is the world's leading country in ownership of thoroughbred racehorses.
Australia also has more race clubs and racecourses than any other country
in the world. Moreover Australia's 454 race clubs have over 150,000 members.
