Leading trainer criticises rejection of Rosehill sale, calls for collaborative efforts to address long-term challenges

Following the defeat of the Rosehill sale proposal, what is the alternative funding model for the industry to combat a decline in wagering?

The rejection by Australian Turf Club members of the $5bn Rosehill sale proposal is a “missed opportunity” to financially future-proof Sydney and NSW racing for decades.

This was the reaction of one leading trainer who contacted Racing Confidential under a cloak of anonymity after Tuesday’s members vote dealt a fatal blow for plans to sell Rosehill, transform Warwick Farm and build a new racing and training centre at Penrith.

“What is the alternative funding model for the industry given wagering is in decline and the members have turned their back on $5bn? What is Plan B?’’ the trainer said.

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The trainer maintains he is “one of many” reluctant to talk on the record or risk losing stable clients because the Rosehill sale proposal has split Sydney racing, fractured friendships, and led to deep distrust on both sides of the argument.

“There has been a lot of misinformation through this whole debate,’’ he said.

The trainer became increasingly agitated the longer the conversation went and it was plainly obvious he had real concerns about his future and for many industry participants.

It has been regrettable that the Rosehill sale issue seemed to drift away from being a robust debate on the merits of the proposal into attacks on key industry figures.

Surely the time has come to put differences aside and start working collaboratively for the betterment of the sport.

The Rosehill sale proposal has highlighted some of the long-term structural issues the racing industry must confront, notably improving club revenues, addressing wagering decline, and keeping the sport relevant for younger generations.

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Star Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller was in good spirits on Thursday despite a serious back injury that will rule him out for six weeks.

“I’m going well considering, it could’ve been much worse,’’ Schiller said.

Tyler Schiller sufferd a back injury at Canterbury on Wednesday. Picture: Getty Images

The jockey suffered a stable fracture of his T-8 vertebrae (mid-spine) after he was dislodged going onto the track before the Canterbury opener on Wednesday.

Schiller, who has ridden 49 winners to be fifth on the Sydney jockey premiership, has had another hugely successful season highlighted by his Group 1 wins on the Team Hawkes-trained Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes) and Nepotism (Champagne Stakes).

Tommy Berry will replace Schiller on Gallo Nero for the Hawkes stable in the Group 1 BRC Sires and also on the Chris and Corey Munce-trained Payline in the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Originally published as Leading trainer criticises rejection of Rosehill sale, calls for collaborative efforts to address long-term challenges