Tasmania’s racing industry watchdog, led by Racing Integrity Commissioner Sean Carroll, has called for mandatory training for all horse racing participants and tougher penalties for welfare breaches after finding significant shortcomings in the state’s racehorse welfare code. Following a review requested by Racing Minister Jane Howlett, seven key recommendations were made, including expanding the powers of the chief racing integrity officer to approve stables, issue rectification notices, and temporarily remove animals from substandard properties. The review, supported by equine expert Dr. Kate Savage, emphasized aligning welfare standards with evolving community expectations to maintain public confidence.
In response, Tasracing has updated its racehorse welfare code and is collaborating with TasTafe to launch a training program by April. The review comes amid increased scrutiny of Tasmania’s racing industry, highlighted by a near doubling of thoroughbred racehorse deaths between August 2024 and July 2025 and the government’s decision to phase out greyhound racing by 2029. Carroll also noted that a similar welfare code is being prepared for greyhounds, with formal standards to be developed under the Racing Regulation and Integrity Act to ensure ongoing compliance with community expectations.
