News From AUSTRALIA

National Arabian Racehorse Association Ltd.

Arabian Racing Opportunities

Over the past years a small number of races for Arabian horses have been conducted in Australia but until we had secured approval from Government and the Thoroughbred industry we were unable to develop a sustainable and professional Arabian Racing Industry. We now have this approval and the opportunity to develop Arabian racing in Australia.

• The large number of Australian race tracks (330) demonstrates that there is an excellent opportunity to develop a strong Arabian Racing Industry and we are now ready to show Australia what Arabian racehorses can do. Australia has approximately 50,000 registered Purebred Arabians so we are confident that we will be able to build a successful and sustainable Arabian Racing industry.
• At a meeting with His Excellency, Dr.Saeed Al Shamsi, the Ambassador for the United Arab Emirates, the concept of having a day at the races in Canberra in the ACT, where guests from the various Arab Embassies and the Western Embassies could get together socially to promote goodwill between their countries while at the same time introduce Arabian Racing was discussed. Following very successful meetings with the Government of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and the Committee of the Canberra Race Club, planning for the event is now well underway. The event will feature an Arabian race within a Thoroughbred race meeting and it is proposed that the UAE Embassy and the Chief Minister of the ACT co-host the event.
• Races for Arabian horses will commence in Queensland this year.
• We are planning a race series to be conducted through three Australian States. We are currently seeking sponsorship for this series.

Our relationship with the Thoroughbred Industry & State Governments

• Races for Arabian Horses are permitted to be conducted within Thoroughbred race meetings
• The Thoroughbred Industry has given permission for Arabian racehorses to train on Thoroughbred racetracks with the exception of the main city tracks.
• The Australian Rules of Racing that govern Thoroughbred racing have been amended to permit jockeys and trainers licenced by the Thoroughbred Industry to participate in Arabian Racing.
• On Course wagering is permitted in the State of Victoria.
• The National Arabian Racehorse Association Ltd. is recognized by the State Governments as the controlling authority for Arabian Racing.
• The Australian Racing Industry is dominated by Thoroughbred Racing and until recently this domination was reflected in government racing and gambling legislation.
• After approximately 10 years of applying pressure to Governments NARA was successful in having the restrictions that prevented the establishment of Arabian Racing removed from legislation.

 The Status of theThoroughbred Industry.

• The Thoroughbred Racing Industry is the 3rd largest employer group in Australia.
• All registered racetracks and training tracks in Australia are controlled by the Thoroughbred Industry.
• Most Australian racetracks are owned by the State Governments but controlled by the Thoroughbred Industry.
• The Thoroughbred Industry is recognised by Government Legislation in each State.

 The Thoroughbred Industry Key Facts – 2007/ 2008 Racing Year

• Race Clubs: 339
• Race Tracks: 330
• Race Meetings: 2,302
• Trainers: 4,782
• Jockeys: 1,065
• Races: 17,211
• Race Horses: 29,972
• Prize Money: $355,043,530AUD

 As can be seen from the above figures the Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is in a very strong position and has a significant amount of power.

Arabian races conducted within Thoroughbred race meetings will receive considerable media exposure. It is our intention to focus on having Arabian races held within Thoroughbred race meetings but we will also conduct some stand alone Arabian race meetings.

The Australian media is very much focused on Thoroughbred Racing and it is extremely difficult to get any reports/articles published in the daily newspapers etc about Arabian racing. For this reason we will concentrate on running Arabian races within Thoroughbred race meeting to maximise the opportunity of media exposure.

We are confident that Australia will have a sustainable and exciting Arabian Racing Industry. How quick this happens will largely depend on the level of race sponsorship we can obtain.

Maureen Milburn

National Arabian Racehorse Assoc.Ltd.

- Mrs. Maureen Milburn , Posted on 23 January 2009