Racing Industry Support Victorian Communities Affected by the Fires

Media Release - Saturday January 4

The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is concerned for all people and horses currently affected by the Australian bushfires, both within the racing industry and amongst the wider community.

Advertisement


Racing Victoria (RV) is working with Country Racing Victoria (CRV) and our country clubs, as well as the metropolitan clubs and industry associations, to offer support and assistance where we are able.


We are also working with our racing participants, including raceday staff, trainers, jockeys, breeders and equine aftercare providers, to ensure they have the support they need.


We will continue to assist where possible in the coming weeks and months. This will include continuing to work with the race clubs and communities affected, as well as providing assistance to horses in the form of feed, veterinary assistance, or transport into safe areas if required.

Supporting our community, participants and clubs
We are all here to help and will continue to be available for as long as needed, for clubs, all horses (not just thoroughbreds) and people affected by the fires.
We are constantly reviewing, amending and rescheduling race meetings in areas affected by heat and/or smoke. When this happens, we will provide relief and compensation to participants affected as per RV’s compensation policy. Race clubs impacted via abandoned meetings will also receive compensation.

Wellbeing support and assistance
If you, or someone you know in the racing, breeding or equine aftercare industries, need support as a result of the bushfire crisis, the following services are available:

  • STABLELINE – Free confidential counselling for all RV licensed persons, Victorian breeders and immediate family members, 24/7 psychological support. Visit stableline.com.au or call 1300 520 122
  • Assure Services – Free confidential counselling for all RV employees and immediate family members. Call 1800 808 374

Caring for affected horses
The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is committed to the welfare of all horses, not just thoroughbreds, affected at this time. As such, a specific ‘management of horses affected by bushfires’ fact sheet has been created. This contains advice on making an initial assessment, as well as suggestions on feed and water and treatment for common aliments horses can experience in fires and associated conditions. A copy of the fact sheet is available at racingvictoria.com.au
Currently relief centres have been established at Bairnsdale, Wangaratta and Wodonga. RV will maintain constant contact with these centres to ensure appropriate assistance is provided where required.
If you are available to take horses in or can offer space on your property, please email equinewelfare@racingvictoria.net.au
For anyone needing assistance related to horse welfare, please call 03 9258 4229 or email equinewelfare@racingvictoria.net.au

How you can help?
The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry is working on a number of initiatives, equine welfare support, fundraising activities and practical support for people and participants affected by the bushfires. 
We have been advised that monetary donations are most useful, and below are a number of organisations who are supporting the bushfire crisis. The Victorian Thoroughbred Racing Industry, including RV, the metropolitan clubs and CRV, will make a donation to the Bendigo Bank Community Fund. 

This support will continue as required, for as long as it is needed across the various communities affected.

For additional support and assistance, the following associations are available:

  • For jockeys, please contact the Victorian Jockeys Association (VJA): Matthew Hyland, Executive Officer, E: Matthew.hyland@vja.net.au, M: 0408 753 951
  • For breeders, please contact the Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBA): Charmein Bukovec, Executive Officer, E: tbv@racingvictoria.net.au, M: 0459 510 506
  • For trainers, please contact the Australian Trainers' Association (ATA): Andrew Nicholl, Chief Executive Officer, E: andrew@austrainers.com.au, M: 0408 138 014 or T: 03 9372 1688
Advertisment
More Reading...
Delacroix Brings Dubawi Outcross to Coolmore Roster
Blueblood 3YO Dubawi colt Delacroix has been retired and the dual Group I winner will stand at Coolmore in Ireland in 2026.
2025 G1 Spring Champion – Pedigree Preview
A lot of attention is paid to the sprinting three year-old division and much less so to the stayers, but with $2million in prizemoney the Group I ATC Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday has attracted a full field of 14 and all of them are on trial at the trip.
G1 Champions Mile Next for Ceolwulf
Trainer Joe Pride will likely keep stable star Ceolwulf to a mile as he looks to round off his spring campaign with a first trip away.
End Of An Era - 2025 G1 Cox Plate
“There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still” - Franklin D Roosevelt.
TBA Mourn Passing of So You Think
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse join the wider industry in mourning the passing of So You Think, one of the modern greats of the Australian turf and a truly elite sire.
One To Watch – Belmont
We look far and wide to highlight Breednet’s ‘One To Watch’ and today’s winner of the first race at Belmont, 3yo D’Argento filly Ladies Pro, won in the manner of a horse with a nice future and in the process shone a spotlight on her sire who recorded his ninth winner so far this month.
Magic Millions - The Book
The famous US sports journo, Red Smith, once proclaimed that : “writing is easy … I just sit down at my typewriter and open a vein”.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday October 22
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
NZB Ready to Run Breeze Ups Complete for 2025
The final day of NZB’s 2025 Ready to Run Sale Breeze Ups saw a further 202 two-year-olds gallop down the home straight at Te Rapa Racecourse.
Pier Headed to Melbourne
Following his pleasing third placing in last Saturday’s A$5 million Gr.1 King Charles III Stakes (1609m) at Randwick, trainers Darryn and Briar Weatherley have decided to head south with Pier to test his talent in Melbourne.