Racing NSW has issued a strongly worded statement addressing what it says is “widespread misinformation” surrounding the future of Australia’s Black Type system and the Pattern, accusing unnamed media outlets of pushing advertiser-driven agendas and misrepresenting the facts.
The controlling body said it remained fully committed to implementing the Asian Pattern Committee–endorsed Black Type Guidelines, along with supporting the establishment of an independent Black Type Advisory Group (BTAG) to provide impartial, expert oversight of race gradings in Australia.
In its statement, Racing NSW outlined the purpose of the Black Type system — the structure that determines Group 1, Group 2, Group 3 and Listed race status — stressing that the integrity and fairness of race gradings are critical both for breeding and for wagering, the industry’s primary revenue source.
The organisation emphasised that:
- Group 1 races must be approved by the Asian Pattern Committee to ensure they meet global standards.
- Lower-level Black Type upgrades and downgrades (Group 2, Group 3 and Listed) have traditionally been the responsibility of Racing Australia.
- Races that do not meet required benchmarks should be downgraded — a point Racing NSW says some jurisdictions are resisting.
Racing NSW explained that over the past 12 months, Racing Australia, the Asian Racing Federation and the Asian Pattern Committee had worked collaboratively to revise the Australian Black Type Guidelines so they aligned with international rules while remaining compliant with Australian competition law.
These revised guidelines received formal endorsement from both the Asian Pattern Committee and the Asian Racing Federation.
However, Racing Australia did not approve the updated guidelines, with Racing NSW claiming that “some jurisdictions don’t want any of their races downgraded” and are being influenced by their race clubs to maintain the current structure.
Racing NSW stressed it supported the changes — even though the revisions could see two NSW Group 1 races downgraded — and said the current stalemate was not caused by any action taken by the NSW body.
The governing body also clarified that its 2024 upgrades to several Group 2, Group 3 and Listed races were conducted under the Black Type Guidelines unanimously adopted by Racing Australia in September 2024, guidelines that remain active and unchanged.
It emphasised that Asian Pattern Committee approval is only required for Group 1 races, meaning the NSW upgrades complied fully with established processes.
Racing NSW reaffirmed its backing for the formation of an independent Black Type Advisory Group, which would advise Racing Australia on:
- the overall structure of the Australian Pattern,
- historical and cultural significance of races,
- downgrading decisions and allowable exceptions,
- comparative race quality,
- operation of the guidelines, and
- future elite race programming.
Racing NSW said the purpose of BTAG would be to deliver a Black Type system that is “strong, fair, transparent and internationally credible”.
In closing, Racing NSW said it would continue to act in the best interests of the state’s racing industry and “will never capitulate to self-interest groups who only consider themselves and not the health and viability of the industry”.
The organisation reiterated its view that Racing Australia should approve the revised Black Type Guidelines developed alongside the Asian Pattern Committee and Asian Racing Federation.
