Racing NSW has requested individual trainers to provide detailed financial documentation, including bank statements and company solvency evidence, to demonstrate their financial capacity as part of the licensing process. This move aims to ensure proper care for racehorses, including adequate nutrition, veterinary access, and fair staff wages with superannuation. While some trainers and the NSW Trainers Association have resisted the invasive nature of these requirements, Racing NSW insists on strict financial scrutiny to uphold animal welfare and industry standards. Many trainers have complied following a deadline extension, though some, like the Cummings family, have faced severe financial difficulties resulting in license loss and operational setbacks.

This financial vetting initiative coincides with a government-led review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act, intended to assess the regulatory framework’s effectiveness and sustainability without altering Racing NSW’s independence or funding model. The review follows concerns raised by a parliamentary committee about alleged misconduct within Racing NSW, which the regulator’s CEO has strongly denied as politically motivated. The ongoing scrutiny reflects broader efforts to maintain integrity and proper regulation within the NSW thoroughbred racing industry.