Huge opportunity for ACT government to improve equine welfare

An almost year-long review into the wellbeing of retired racehorses produced six key recommendations the club is desperately keen to introduce, which include improved tracking of thoroughbreds after their racing careers, and inspector powers to add another layer of welfare protection.

Crucially, the report has given the ACT government an opportunity, and a key reason, to support an industry it has long been opposed to, largely on the grounds of animal welfare concerns.

Productive talks have been held between the Canberra Racing Club and the government. The club also held a promising meeting with the RSPCA this week, to discuss the findings of the report.

Its release comes almost 12 months after Greens MLA Jo Clay tabled a petition which called on the ACT government to withdraw all public funding to the industry - an industry which contributes more than $50 million to the capital in economic activity each year, and underpins the equivalent of more than 440 full-time jobs.

The Canberra Racing Club appointed Chris Polglase as equine welfare officer this year. He has spent all of 2021 compiling a report which paves the way for safeguarding the future of retired racehorses.

Polglase's review follows on from a Racing NSW law introduced in 2017 which prevents retired horses being sent to slaughter.

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Contrary to popular belief around horse racing, only 10 per cent of retired thoroughbreds are euthanised in NSW each year, and only ever on veterinary advice.

Yet what to do with retired thoroughbreds has always been a major challenge for the industry. Racehorses are registered upon birth, and required to be tracked until they retire, but the trail is broken when a horse is moved onto a second owner.

One of Polglase's recommendations is to firm up this link in the chain, making it compulsory for horses to be tracked right through their post-racing life. Specifically, he suggests each horse should be registered with Access Canberra like a domestic pet.

And the ACT, given its size, offers a perfect test case for which to observe such a protocol. Should the territory successfully implement such a strategy, other racing jurisdictions in Australia would likely move to follow the Canberra Racing Club's lead.

The report's second recommendation - to grant inspector powers "for the purposes of conducting welfare inspections of thoroughbreds within the Australian Capital Territory that are not domiciled within a licensed thoroughbred facility" - also requires government support.

Such powers have recently been granted in South Australia, with a member of its equine welfare department appointed as an inspector under the Animal Welfare Act.

Clay and the Greens have welcomed the report, but were quick to point out it was "an in-house industry review conducted on industry policies, procedures and functions, rather than an independent investigation of practices on the ground".

But they have indicated they would be willing to explore the review's suggestions.

"I welcome the recommendation to require adequate care to horses that have been retired, and clearer injury reporting," Clay said.

"Myself, along with the ACT Greens, value animals as sentient beings who deserve to be free from direct and indirect harm, and any measure to improve the lives of these horses is welcome.

"We will be discussing this industry review with the community and Thoroughbred Park, and will then consider the best way to achieve the best possible futures for retired thoroughbreds."

The government also welcomed the report.

"The ACT government recognises the importance of Canberra's local racing industry being well-managed, well-regulated and sustainable," a spokesperson said.

"We welcome the Canberra Racing Club's equine welfare report and will examine the details and proposed recommendations closely."

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