The NSW Thoroughbred Racing Act 1996 is being reviewed for the first time in over a decade. This is your chance to push for reforms that prioritise horse welfare and accountability. Currently, Racing NSW both promotes racing and regulates animal welfare, a clear conflict of interest.

⌛ UPDATE: Submission deadline extended to 5pm on Monday 8 December 2025

View the Discussion Paper here and the Terms of Reference here.

Complete the government’s survey or send a written submission via the “Have Your Say” website, by email ([email protected]) or by post. Include your name, organisation (if applicable) and contact details.

Survey Help

Here’s a quick guide to filling out the NSW Government’s survey.
Each section includes a statement - we suggest selecting “Disagree” or “Strongly Disagree” and using the points below in your own words.

Governance

The current system is unfair to horses.
Racing NSW promotes racing and regulates welfare, that’s a conflict of interest.
Oversight of all aspects of the horseracing industry must be independent and separate from Racing NSW.
Welfare oversight should be taken over by an Independent Office of Animal Protection.

Transparency

The public deserves to know what happens to every horse.
Racing NSW must publish whole-of-life traceability data for every horse, including breeding, deaths, injuries, rehoming outcomes, and money spent on welfare.
This information must be independently reviewed and audited to ensure accuracy.

Accountability

There’s an urgent need for stronger enforcement of animal cruelty laws in racing.
Racing NSW must be required to report any cruelty offences directly to RSPCA NSW, ensuring offenders are prosecuted under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act (POCTA) as well as under racing rules.
Independent regulators such as the RSPCA NSW must be properly funded and empowered to investigate and enforce welfare laws.
Racing NSW should not be left to regulate itself, oversight must be independent and transparent.

Stakeholder Consultation

Horses are the main stakeholders but have no voice.
Equine welfare experts and advocates must be included in all consultation groups and decision-making processes.

Industry Sustainability

The industry’s lack of accountability and transparency is eroding public trust.
The Thoroughbred Racing Act must be updated to strengthen oversight, limit breeding, and require Racing NSW to fund a safe, lifelong retirement for every horse they breed.

Animal Welfare

Racing NSW must not be allowed to regulate itself, welfare must be managed by an independent government body.
Ban the use of whips, tongue ties, spurs, and all other coercive or negative-reinforcement training methods.
Introduce a legally enforceable Code of Practice for horse welfare based on the Five Domains model, enforced by an independent body.
Ban the racing and training of young horses whose bodies are not yet developed to withstand the strain.
The industry must fund safe, lifelong care for every horse it breeds.
Racing should never occur in extreme heat (above 25 °C), and all injured horses must receive immediate veterinary assessment.
Regulated rest periods must be enforced between races and transport.

Make a Submission

If you’d like to make a written submission instead of completing the survey, you can use the points from the survey guide above to shape your message.
You can write it in your own words or use the example below as a starting point.

Example Submission (short and simple)

I’m concerned about the welfare of horses in the NSW racing industry.

Racing NSW should not be responsible for regulating itself. Welfare oversight must be handled by an independent body such as the Independent Office for Animal Welfare.

The government must enforce stronger cruelty laws, with all breaches reported to the RSPCA NSW for prosecution.

The use of whips, tongue ties, and other cruel equipment must end, and overbreeding must stop.

Every horse deserves lifelong care, full transparency, and protection from harm.

Final tips

Keep your comments respectful and focused on solutions. Highlight any personal experiences or feelings you have about horse racing. Encourage others to submit before 8 December 2025 so that horse welfare becomes a priority in NSW law.

Need help with writing or lodging your submission?

Email us: [email protected]

Take Further Action

Once you’ve made your submission, you can help strengthen the call for lasting reform by supporting our petition for an Independent Office of Animal Protection, a crucial step to ensure no industry polices its own cruelty.

👉 Sign the petition here