Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC), the not-for-profit organisation founded in 2018 by Lindy Maurice in conjunction with leading racing and breeding enterprises to address workforce shortages in the Australian thoroughbred industry, today announced that it will suspend its operations.
Since its inception, TIC has worked to create awareness, promote career pathways, and educate the next generation of talent through pioneering programs and national initiatives.
During its operation, TIC proudly achieved a number of Australian firsts, including:
· Establishing a national careers promotional brand for the thoroughbred industry.
· Delivering two national residential training programs — the Explorer and Accelerator courses — with more than 110 students participating (with a 90% retention rate in industry), before the closure of the equine section at Richmond TAFE in 2022.
· Serving as major sponsors of two of Australia’s largest equestrian events — the Pony Club Australia Nationals and the North-West Equestrian Expo.
· Introducing Pony Racing to Australia, successfully administering two National Pony Racing Series.
To ensure the continuation of one of its most exciting initiatives, TIC is offering the intellectual property of Pony Racing to state principal racing authorities, with the aim of transitioning the program into their educational pathways. Racing Victoria, Racing Tasmania and Racing SA are already collaborating with TIC on the development of Pony Racing.
“We are immensely proud of what has been achieved in a relatively short time,” said TIC founder Lindy Maurice. “The achievements of our graduates, the enthusiasm around Pony Racing, and the awareness generated around careers in our industry are lasting contributions we hope will continue to grow under the stewardship of others.”
Maurice acknowledged the backing of many key supporters:
“There have been a number of people who have given me tremendous support, namely John Messara, Vin Cox, Emma Ridley, Diana Cooper and Charlie Duckworth, along with our major sponsors — without whom we would not have been able to do this work. We have also worked very closely with Racing WA, Racing SA, Racing QLD, Racing VIC and TAS Racing over the past seven years. I feel proud that in an industry which can often be fragmented, we have managed to deliver programs that have engaged young people from all corners of Australia. And to my team over the past seven years (Tracy, Karlie, Sophie) and the Pony Club Australia team, I can't thank you enough.”
The foundation of Australia’s Pony Racing has also been strengthened through the Together for Racing International (TfRI) network, which connects Pony Racing authorities in Ireland, the UK, France and Japan.
