Horse racing cheats will be caught, with integrity to be the number one priority in the sport, Victoria’s racing chief says. Racing Victoria chief executive officer Bernard Saundry said there may be small pockets of people who want to try to beat the system, but that can happen in any… Read More »
Leading betting exchange Betfair has purchased the customer database of bookmaker Blue Square for STG5 million ($A7.36 million). The online firm, which was owned by the Rank Group, explains on its website that “Blue Square is now a part of Betfair” and directs its clients towards the Betfair site. “Betfair… Read More »
Embattled businessman Nathan Tinkler is reported to be selling his racing and breeding operation, Patinack Farm. Tinkler established Patinack Farm in 2007, investing millions of dollars buying yearlings, stallions and brood mares for his new thoroughbred venture at Sandy Hollow in the NSW Hunter Valley. One of his biggest assets,… Read More »
The challenge of growing one of Victoria’s biggest industries, and of maintaining its integrity, has been retained by the state’s new premier. Denis Napthine announced on Tuesday he would balance the racing portfolio along with that of regional cities and the state’s top job. Dr Napthine said the $2 billion… Read More »
A substance derived from chilli peppers and used to stop horses from chewing on fences has produced positive swabs in harness racing, prompting Racing NSW to issue a warning to thoroughbred trainers. Capsaicin is banned because of its effects on the nervous, cardiovascular and digestive systems and is also categorised… Read More »
Secrecy still surrounds the exact details but at least a new thoroughbred racing series planned for Sydney has a frontman. Well-known NSW racing administrator Ian Mackay has beaten “a field of outstanding applicants” to be named chief executive officer of the Racing NSW promoted series. In almost a decade working… Read More »
Broadcaster TVN will control the media rights for NSW and Victorian thoroughbred clubs in a landmark deal for Australian racing. A formal agreement to aggregate the media rights of all thoroughbred clubs in Australia’s two strongest racing states was signed on Monday. Under the agreement, TVN will hold the rights… Read More »
Victoria’s racing minister has questioned the sport’s governing body’s handling of the Damien Oliver case, urging the racing integrity watchdog to review the inquiry. Racing Minister Denis Napthine has asked Racing Integrity Commissioner Sal Perna to examine whether Racing Victoria acted appropriately in opting not to stand Oliver down from… Read More »
Victorian racing authorities have defended their failure to stand down Damien Oliver while an investigation proceeded into a $10,000 bet he placed which has resulted in a 10-month ban for the jockey. Racing Victoria chairman Michael Duffy said such action would have jeopardised the case against Oliver. “The investigators formed… Read More »
Racing NSW will form a special unit to help stewards address potential integrity challenges for thoroughbred racing in the state. To be known as the Investigations and Surveillance Unit, the body will be headed by a person with senior police officer experience with proven investigative skills in intelligence gathering, forensics,… Read More »
Embattled Victorian racing authorities have hit out at newspaper reports that the same drug that has rocked the cycling world is in widespread use in the state. The peak bodies in both thoroughbred and harness racing issued strongly-worded rejections of a story published in News Ltd papers on Sunday, declaring… Read More »
The blitz by Victorian stewards on raceday treatments has turned up another case with trainer Ricky Maund under investigation after fresh blood was found on the neck of a horse in his stable on Saturday. Stewards found the sign of treatment on Timely Truce, who was entered for the Listed… Read More »
Victoria Racing chief steward Terry Bailey says he arranged for security at his home after claiming disqualified jockey Danny Nikolic had threatened him. Bailey was giving evidence at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) hearing of an appeal by Nikolic against a two-year ban from racing. Nikolic missed out… Read More »
Structured, ladylike and Mad Men-inspired fashion is set to take over Randwick this Saturday, TV personality Zoe Balbi says. The 27-year old Sydney Spring Carnival fashion ambassador helped draw barriers for Saturday’s Group One Epsom Handicap at Sydney’s The Star on Wednesday. Balbi told AAP there would be a smorgasbord… Read More »
The Newcastle Jockey Club has received a major boost with the announcement of $11 million in upgrades, highlighted by the creation of an inside track. The new turf racing surface will mimic the Kensington track at Randwick and will span 20 metres across to cater for 14 starters. The course… Read More »
For the usual retiree, life after work consists of leisure and relaxation, but for NSW racehorses, retirement could soon involve starting a new career. Retraining retired NSW racehorses for other careers will be compulsory in the next few years if Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys gets his way. The… Read More »
The race which has become a gilt-edged form reference for the Melbourne Cup is in line for an upgrade in status after figuring in a major prizemoney increase. The Geelong Cup will carry $300,000 in stakes this year – up from $225,000 in 2011. It’s a lift which the Geelong… Read More »
The rugby league State of Origin decider will be shown live on the mega screen at Rosehill Racecourse. The Australian Turf Club (ATC) will open the course free to the public for the match from Brisbane on July 4. The screen, which was officially launched during the autumn carnival, is… Read More »
The combined might of the NSW and Victorian thoroughbred racing industries has secured a broadcast rights deal to take the sport into a new era. The thoroughbred industry-owned television company TVN will now control who broadcasts vision of all NSW and Victorian racing until 2028. Under the previous arrangement the… Read More »
The Australian Racing Board has doubled the number of individual owners allowed to share in the ownership of a racehorse. From next season, up to 20 owners will be permitted per horse, up from the previous maximum of 10. The change is the result of a request by the Australian… Read More »
