Bren O'Brien: John, both Australia and the United States are under concerted pressure over equine welfare issues at the moment. What do you see as the differences and the similarities in the challenges faced in both countries?
John Messara: The major difference between the United States and Australia on this issue is that in the US it’s more about horses in training, whereas here it relates to horses whose racing careers are over. However, what happens in one place in racing affects other places as well. Thoroughbred horseracing is a global brand. People like to think in terms of jurisdictions, and to some extent that is relevant, but on major issues like animal welfare and integrity, I believe those big issues represent an international challenge.
Bren O'Brien: How serious is the threat to the future prosperity of the thoroughbred industry from the public’s lack of faith in equine welfare practices?
John Messara: The current generation of thoroughbred racing enthusiasts are probably not at risk of walking away - it’s more the younger demographic. The world is changing, and we are evolving in a lot of ways; I think the younger generation would appreciate seeing a level of compromise in certain areas.
That doesn't mean we need to have outright change in all of what we do, because most of what we do is OK and we shouldn't bend to the extreme views at either end of the spectrum.
John Messara (centre)
Bren O'Brien: The whip is one of those issues you believe there needs to be accommodation on?
John Messara: I have great arguments about this with my son Paul, who is a trainer. He says it’s a 55kg to 60kg rider and a 500kg horse and the whip is padded. I know all of this. But I still think it’s a bad look. The perception will stop the new generation from engaging. I saw an advertisement on the side of a bus in London, showing a horse being whipped in a race and a pet dog, and it said 'would you treat your dog in the same manner?' That’s powerful stuff.
"I have great arguments about this with my son Paul, who is a trainer... perception will stop the new generation from engaging." - John Messara
Paul argues that because of the difference in size and strength between the jockey and the horse, the padded whip does not hurt the horse. I see a banning of the whip as demonstrating to the younger generation that our sport is willing to evolve.
John sees the banning of the whip as demonstrating to the younger generation that our sport is willing to evolve
There have been ongoing discussions for quite a time in Australia about the whip. When I was chair of Racing Australia, we regularly got proposals from animal welfare groups and on the other hand, we had jockeys and trainers giving us their views; we listened and over time we moderated the use of the whip. That's where we are today.
There are a lot of people in the industry who will tell you it’s the first step towards further unreasonable concessions, but I don’t see it as that and I don’t think it should be that. When I say, let’s consider banning the whip, I don’t want that to be seen as accommodating other extreme demands.
I know that the New York Jockey Club, for example, is looking at banning the use of the whip as are other jurisdictions. While it is more perception than reality, I think it would make a major difference to a broader acceptance of horseracing in modern society.
John Messara, "We've just got to be vigilant about what happens to our horses when they finish racing."
Bren O'Brien: Action has already been taken in the light of the what emerged through the ABC 7:30 report, has that been enough do you believe?
John Messara: There are bad eggs in every basket, we'll always have that challenge. I know there is a fair bit happening in response to the 7:30 report, but we must not overreact. We've just got to be vigilant about what happens to our horses when they finish racing.
There needs to be an understanding that sometimes a horse going to a licensed abattoir that treats horses in a humane manner, is a far better outcome than a horse standing unloved and uncared for in a paddock. We must be realistic in that regard.
"There needs to be an understanding that sometimes a horse going to a licensed abattoir that treats horses in a humane manner, is a far better outcome than a horse standing unloved and uncared for in a paddock." - John Messara
We need to manage the problem in a humane and respectful way. We need to have systems in place to be able to account for every thoroughbred horse. When I was at Racing Australia, we started out on that path of traceability, despite broad resistance from breeders, but we needed to take responsibility for our herd. Thank goodness we persisted with those reforms.
Bren O'Brien: Is the right regulatory framework in place to oversee the necessary change needed to overcome the industry's challenges and does Racing Australia have the powers to enact that change?
John Messara: Racing Australia is a co-operative of all the state regulatory bodies. Racing is a State-regulated industry and each State has its own statutory structure. So the States get together at Racing Australia. More often than not, you've got the chairman of each State involved and the CEO of each state attending. All the key people are there, but the challenge is that you have to try to get consensus.
The forum is there, the right people are in the room, they are the rule-making bodies and they already have all the power they need. We don’t need any new bodies or additional powers; it comes down to leadership and co-operation.
John Messara
Bren O'Brien: Does the thoroughbred industry need a way of vetting potential investors and participants? Something akin to a fit and proper person’s test to ensure there is a clear idea where investment is being sourced.
John Messara: Yes, I believe the threshold should be raised for qualification of owners in this country. When things go the wrong way with a major player, it has the potential to become another scandal that the industry cannot afford. Having alliances with other jurisdictions can allow us to share intelligence on new participants, which can be crucial.
Bren O'Brien: How optimistic are you about the future of the industry, John?
John Messara: I don’t think we have ever been in a better position in terms of returns to owners in NSW and Victoria. Integrity and animal welfare are the things that can drag us down in a world where there is a lot of competition for the leisure dollar. We must always place the whole industry first, if racing is to remain a mainstream sport, that modern Australians want to support and enjoy.
Bren O'Brien: Thanks for your time.
