MEDIA RELEASE: 03 September 2009

The Facts on Owner Contributions to NSW Racing

In light of recent media reports, NSW Racehorse Owners Association (NSWROA) President Mr Ray McDowell would like to go on record and state some facts regarding Owner contributions to the NSW Racing industry in the last year. The figures quoted have been validated by Racing NSW.

Leaving aside the enormous capital outlay Owners spend in purchasing horses at the sales etc., Owners spend some $220 million on training, vets, agistment etc per year.

The return to Owners on this outlay is in the vicinity of $99 million per year (55%) which represents a 45% loss.

Thus, contrary to other reports, the Owners are in fact subsidising the racing industry by $121 million per year.

Mr McDowell went on to say “Whilst we understand that the gambling dollar is an important part of the operation of our industry, it is not the ONLY part making enormous contributions”.

“It is worth remembering that without the Owners there would be no horses, therefore no trainers, no spelling farms, no vets, no employees, no racing organisations nor bookmakers. In fact, without the Owners, there would not be an industry at all.”