Ray Murrihy: Final report into racing industry handed to government

A long-awaited report into allegations of race fixing and animal cruelty in the state’s harness racing industry has been completed – but its contents will remains secret, for now. Here’s why.

Ray Murrihy, Racing NSW chairman of stewards pictured at Randwick Racecourse in Sydney. Murrihy is retiring after 46 years as a steward. Britta Campion / The Australian.

A long-awaited report into allegations of race fixing and animal cruelty in the state’s harness racing industry has been completed – but its contents will remains secret, for now.

Racing Minister Felix Ellis said independent investigator and racing and integrity expert Ray Murrihy had delivered his final report.

An interim report made public in September labelled the rules governing Tasmania’s racing industry as “deficient” and has suggested that “a small percentage” of race winnings could be set aside to fund a humane rehoming regime for retired horses.

The former Racing NSW chief steward was appointed by then-Racing Minister Madeleine Ogilvie in April to hold an inquiry into allegations of team driving, race fixing and animal welfare concerns in the Tasmanian harness racing industry and the management of those issues by the Office of Racing Integrity.

Mr Ellis said Mr Murrihy has received 44 submissions and conducted more than 50 interviews, along with examining betting records, reviewing extensive race footage and undertaking site visits.

Steward Ray Murrihy in the tunnel on the way to the jockeys room during Randwick Races. Pic: Jenny Evans

“Thank you also to industry members and stakeholders who provided written statements and agreed to be interviewed as part of this important review,” Mr Ellis said.

“The government has supported in-principle all recommendations in the interim report from Mr Murrihy, noting that matters of industry competitiveness and codes of practice are largely matters for Tasracing to consider within the integrity framework.

“We will now consider all recommendations made against the Terms of Reference in this final report.

“Once this has occurred a further statement will be made and the report will be available to the public.

Labor’s racing spokesman Dean Winter called on the government to release the report in full.

“Racing Minister Felix Ellis must commit to making the entire Murrihy Report public before Friday’s harness racing at Elwick,” he said.

“The Minister’s lack of urgency to date has proven he doesn’t understand the impact the delay of the Murrihy Report has had on the harness racing industry.

“This report was initially due on 30 June, five months ago.

“Every day that passes without the report being released is another blow for an industry full of good, hardworking people.”