Harness racing in New South Wales will be given a $15 million boost through funding initiatives announced by the Harness Racing New South Wales board.
This three-year plan will see an annual $5 million commitment distributed to drive continual growth and development across the industry.
The cash injection will directly stimulate the breeding industry through significant financial incentives and increase prize money allocations state-wide.
The initiatives will see:
- Breeding funding injections to drive and sustain the future of the industry in NSW;
- Prizemoney increases to $9,792 races across A meetings state-wide;
- Deliver minimum $20,000 prizemoney on metropolitan programmes;
- Enhance and expand the NSW Breeders Challenge series of races;
- Boost prizemoney for feature trotters’ races.
Harness Racing NSW Chief Executive John Dumesny applauded the forward-planning outlook of the HRNSW Board through the development of this initiative.
“This is a significant announcement for the industry in our State with HRNSW further increasing the levels of prizemoney available but at the same time creating a scheme to sustain the industry through breeding,” Mr Dumesny said.
“In many ways the success of our industry can be measured by how it is future-proofed through breeding initiatives and incentives to ensure there are ample opportunities. This scheme ‘Breed NSW’ is to a level of funding never before provided.”
“This has been possible through astute financial management so as to ensure the prosperity of harness racing in New South Wales, while ensuring the welfare of our participants is driven by opportunity.”
This commitment from HRNSW is a direct outcome from state-wide industry feedback from key stakeholders and participants.
“We have provided opportunities for all sectors of the industry to have their say through multiple submission processes. The Members and Management have taken on board the valuable input and now have put measures in place on the back of that feedback,” Mr Dumesny said.
HRNSW will release further details on the “Breed NSW” Scheme next month, prior to the breeding season. Prize money increases will commence from July 1.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
