The report urges new rules around the slaughter and rehoming of horses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Australia.-\u00a0Ray Murrihy, an expert in racing integrity, has published his interim report on Tasmania’s harness racing industry. It calls for stricter regulations to prevent trainers from euthanising animals\u00a0without proper authorisation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The recommendation comes in response to concerns raised about the treatment of racehorses after images surfaced in the media raising questions about the industry’s ethical standards. Murrihy’s report also proposes\u00a0the establishment of minimum welfare standards\u00a0for racehorses and a more rigorous framework for their rehoming. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The report also raises concerns over the dominance of races by horses from a single stable, leading to a “stifling of competition” within the industry. It does not make any allegations of race-fixing or team driving, but highlights\u00a0a need for reforms in the current racing model\u00a0to ensure fair competition. It recommends using a new rating system for races to prevent monopolisation by a single trainer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Murrihy’s recommendations assume that the Tasmanian government will implement the recommendations of a 2021 review by former Victorian Racing Club chief executive\u00a0Dale Monteith. Racing minister\u00a0Felix Ellis\u00a0said Murrihy’s report “reinforces the recommendations” made by Monteith, many of which have already been accepted by the government. He said the government would consider the proposals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dean Winter, labour shadow racing minister, said the report acknowledged it was “bad for integrity” if one trainer had the majority of horses in a race. He welcomed the proposed new rating system and said it should have already been put in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n