EQUINE INFLUENZA

The current situation in Australia in regards to EI is the most catastrophic occurrence ever to inflict our shores. The impact on the thoroughbred racing industry is an absolute disaster, despite the fact no equine thoroughbreds have been infected by the virus. Costs arising from will be far reaching and cover years, not just days, weeks and months.

Firstly let me say, that the Government must conduct a full enquiry as to how the virus arrived in Australia, and how it was spread. And they must then put into place procedures to ensure this never happens again.

Forgetting betting turnover, think about how many people and their incomes this is affecting. There has been no horse racing since last Friday, with NSW & Queensland racing suspended indefinately, no track work until this morning, no movement of any horses anywhere in Australia since Saturday. So let's list a few of the people affected whose incomes have been diminished.

Racehorse trainers & jockeys
Trackwork riders, stablehands & strappers
Equine Transport Companies
Farriers, Dentists and Veterinarians
Breeding Studs Farms, Horse Breakers & Agistment Properties
TAB Agencies
Bookmakers
Profesional Punters
Catering Companies that operate on race courses
Casual Staff that work at race courses on race days
Bloodstock Agents

All these people and their employees are badly affected, but there are further ramifications along the line. Owners are paying ut money for their horses to be in stables even though very few can be worked or raced. Due to the lack of racing advertising revenue for race clubs and sponsorship will not be received. Any advertising clubs to in the media has stopped causing reduced incomes for newspapers, television and radio, especially hard hit in regional areas. Flow on affects from all these issues result in reduced expenditure by race clubs on things such as extensions, track upgrades etc.

In fact, leaving TAB turnover alone for the moment, I doubt if the real cost or affect will ever be known as the flow on from reduction of income this week and in the upcoming weeks could never be accurately measured.

Personally, our income has all but ceased. We currently have 3 horses "Sold", however as they cannot be moved (all are in NSW or Qld) the sales will not go ahead at this stage. And very few if any person wants to purchase a horse unless they are fully guaranteed the horse does not have EI. So no bloodstock sales are happening at present.

Massie Lodge is locked down at present, a personal decision made by Helen and myself merely as a precaution. We have several clients wanting to send horses here for a spell, however with no transport allowed to move horses, we are unable to receive the clients horses. We have plenty of room here to accept new residents, however we cannot accept any.

And finally punting as we know it has ceased indefinately. Not only is there no thoroughbreds races to bet on, when racing finally does recommence, extreme caution will be required before any consideration is given to outlaying money on thoroughbreds. So many horses have missed vital work, not raced for longer periods than normal we will not risk betting on horses we are not confident are fit enough to win.

And finally we must give Go Maz a mention. The poor bloke is jumping out of his skin and ready to race. His career has been agonizingly halted for yet another reason. One would think cheating death on 3 occasions, dodging the dogger, then when he is finally ready to go, he firstly encounters an abandoned meeting due to rain, now and EI epidemic never heard of before in Australia. What will happen to the poor little fella next? He will be nominated for a 1200m maiden at grafton on 5 Septmeber, so let's hope racing in NSW resumes in time for him to take his palce in the field.

We urge everyone to adhere to all rules and regualtions instigated by State Governments and the DPI. Please do not move any horse of any breed anywhere until clearance is given by the DPI. Take extreme precautions to protect yourself and your horses if you handle equines on a regular basis. Do not allow this virus to spread any further.

This is the biggest catastrophe to ever occur in our industry, please take every possible measure to contain it now.