The Australian Trainers’ Association call on Racing NSW to cease Supreme Court action

The Australian Trainers’ Association has made an impassioned plea for Racing NSW to end its Supreme Court action against rival states.

The Australian Trainers’ Association has called on Racing NSW to end its Supreme Court action.

THE Australian Trainers’ Association (ATA) has called on Racing NSW to abandon its Supreme Court action against fellow jurisdictions, including Racing Victoria.

In “rare” intervention, the peak trainers’ body has written an open letter to the Racing Australia board of directors to “set aside past differences” and “reset the national agenda”.

Racing Australia has not met for several years amid tension between NSW and Victoria primarily.

RNSW recently launched extraordinary legal action against five other jurisdictions, based on unfounded claims of collusion and anti-competitive behaviour.

The ATA open letter comes after ex-RA director Robyn Whishaw slammed the organisation and division within ranks in an open resignation letter recently.

The ATA represents more than 3500 licensed trainers in Australia.

“Our trainers toil away caring for their horses, providing secure employment for their staff, building and investing in infrastructure for today and for the future, and ultimately, delivering the racing product daily around the country,” the ATA wrote.

“In essence, these trainers are fulfilling their charter. For Racing Australia sadly, you, the Board, cannot say the same.

“It is rare for the ATA to be so moved that it feels the need to express a written view on matters involving the Board of Racing Australia.

“However, these are unprecedented times, and as a representative body, it would be remiss of us not to voice our concerns on this subject.

“Hence, our Association, in the strongest possible terms, calls on Racing NSW to abandon their current litigation. We also call on all directors to come back to the table, to set aside past differences, and re-set the national agenda.”

The open letter signed by ATA chief executive Andrew Nicholl continued: “There has never existed a greater crisis of confidence in the ability of the Racing Australia Board to take this industry forward, at a point when common beliefs, progressive thinking and strong leadership is essential.

“The time for behavioural change, collaboration and collective forward thinking is now; the only question is will that come from those incumbent on your Board?

We, on behalf of our 3,500+ licensed trainers, eagerly await your response.”

Originally published as The Australian Trainers’ Association call on Racing NSW to cease Supreme Court action