Foal Registration Concerns
The TBQA and TBA are rallying against Racing Australia’s hardline compliance with foal registration deadlines. This legislation presents a major welfare concern and could leave a significant number of the 2025 foal crop banned from racing and sitting idle in a paddock.
Racing Australia is taking a very harsh stance in enforcing these Rules of Racing regarding the lodging of foal declarations in stipulated time frames. The lodgement costs are - up to 30 days is $155, 30-60 days is $305 after 60 days it is $500 and be heard by a tribunal for eligibility.
Australian breeders risk having their horses permanently banned from racing if they fail to meet these foal registration obligations.
I feel that this impost on breeders will have a very detrimental effect on horse welfare because people may not be able to afford the fees and as a result the horse will be left in the paddock. These stipulations will adversely affect the foal crop and race fields which will in turn eventually have an impact on wagering; however, the welfare of these horses is the most immediate and pressing concern.
Added to these ridiculous fees, Racing Australia’s IT registration program is archaic, and the foal ownership return system is time consuming for both large and small breeders. Along with arguing against the registration fees, the TBA has asked RA to upgrade their IT system; however, at this stage there’s been no positive progress on either matter.








