South Australian Racing and Breeding in Limbo

Media Release - Friday November 2
In a spate of announcements across Australia, State Governments have been declaring their support of the local racing and breeding industries in their respective States with rebates from taxes recently imposed on betting operations.

The South Australian racing industry is the only major jurisdiction without any assurance that any of the budgeted $37m raised from the controversial "Point of Consumption" tax in South Australia will be returned to the industry.

South Australia's tax rate of 15%, compared to 10% in NSW and 8% in Victoria, has seen corporate bookmakers offer less incentives for punters to wager on South Australian racing leading to a downward spiral in industry revenue.

President of the South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Chris Watson is concerned that whilst other States are now being compensated for the income lost due to the new taxes, the State Government in South Australia is yet to provide the local industry with any assurances of support.

"Our industry is at least $5m worse off every year as a result of a tax that is raising $37m and the current Liberal Government seem ambivalent," Watson lamented.

"As an industry we can be self-funded with proceeds from a tax that is only possible due to the product we provide. The resultant uncertainty has pushed pause on investment throughout our industry, it is costing jobs," Watson continued.

As other State Governments have openly stated that "they do not want to harm the racing industry" as a result of the Point of Consumption tax, those in South Australia Racing and Breeding are not being offered the same protection.

"Our governing body TRSA have had a proposal with the State Liberal Government for months but it does not appear to be a priority which is incredibly disappointing," Watson concluded.

The South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders Association operates to promote, advance, encourage and coordinate the thoroughbred breeding industry in South Australia.

SA Thoroughbred Breeders Release
Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
Knight's Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.