Timeline

Some of the issues involving TROA since its formation have been:

June 1974
TROA writes to the Victorian Trainers Association objecting increased training fees (some trainers remark to TROA Committeeman that the increased fees help them cover the cost of non-paying or slow paying owners!)

February 1975
TROA seeks uniformity between metropolitan clubs in relation to owner’s privileges

July 1977
MVRC says no to TROA’s request for owners to receive membership privileges to owners who have a horse running

September 1979
TROA investigates the possibility of sponsored racing silks and saddlecloths

March 1984
TROA requests that the VRC appoint an independent arbitrator to deal with disputes between owners and trainers

August 1987
TROA writes to all metropolitan and country clubs to request an increase in race day ticketing for owners

October 1989
TROA writes to the Australian Trainers Association regarding a code of ethics for trainers

December 1990
TROA recommends to VOBIS that trainers and jockeys are not included in the incentive scheme bonuses

September 1991
TROA pushes for a nation wide betting pool and raises the matter at an Australian Racing Ministers conference

October 1992
TROA meets with Premier Jeff Kennett to discuss the possibility of an Industry Council

August 1993
TROA gains representation on the VOBIS Board

May 1995
TROA committee agrees to press its recommendation that owners of all runners receive some form of rebate

January 1996
TROA hosts international owners’ conference in Melbourne

June 1996
TROA meets with all metropolitan clubs to discuss the initiative of an ‘Owners Liaison Officer’ at all meetings

July 1998
TROA asked to make a submission on the review of the apprentice claiming system

January 1999
TROA begins to lobby the Federal government about the impacts on owners of the GST tax reform

April 1999
TROA continues to lobby on the issues of track bias and state of tracks and raises the possibility of grading tracks for their suitability depending on seasonal conditions

July 1999
MVRC opens the Might And Power Room and proves once again that they are the most owner friendly metropolitan racing club

January 2000
TROA invited to join as a key stakeholder in Racing Victoria Limted’s new governance structure, representing TROA members and all other owners

July 2000
TROA supports the establishment of uniform standards and conditions for racing across the nation

September 2000
TROA invited to make a submission to the Advisory Panel for Reviewing the Governance Structure of Thoroughbred Racing in Victoria

June 2001
TROA recommends a “one ticket” for owners” membership that allows admission to all metropolitan racetracks

June 2001
TROA strongly recommends that the Marketing departments and some metropolitan club functions be merged into one unit to avoid “triplication” and to save considerable operating costs

May 2001
TROA supports threshold levels for therapeutic treatments that do not enhance or detract from horse performance

August 2002
TROA strongly advocates the urgent introduction of new betting types and larger pools at TAB’s, as well as the increase in industry returns

October 2002
TROA calls for the formation of a combined TAB national pool on certain races in the absence of a national totalisator

February 2003
TROA supports jumps racing and the initiatives to make it safer for all participants

April 2003
TROA contributes a strong submission to the industry review of Integrity Services supporting a revised structure

February 2004
TROA hosts the RVL William Inglis Ownership Forum at Oaklands Junction

May 2004
TROA launches the ‘Owner for a Day’ program in conjunction with RVL Business Development department

July 2004
RVL and TROA agree to work towards a collective ownership strategy identifying the principle roles of both organisations

October 2004
TROA celebrates 30 years representing thoroughbred owners at Annual Awards Breakfast at Champions, the Australian Racing Museum

February 2005
Launch of the RVL/TROA Ownership Strategy and announcement that TROA now represents all racehorse owners in Victoria

October 2006
TROA together with all racing industry stakeholders campaigns for increased Victorian prize money

March 2007
TROA and William Inglis join in a partnership to support racehorse owners in Victoria

September 2007
TROA supports the development of the ‘Living Legends’, the International Home of Rest for Champion Thoroughbreds

February 2008
TROA again calls for a review of the three metropolitan club structure to assess the benefits of ‘shared’ services

August 2008
TROA calls for a greater level of country prizemoney and promotes support for prizemoney increases at all levels from the “bottom up”

March 2009
TROA launches the TROA/Luxbet owners’ bonus after signing a major sponsorship agreement with leading corporate bookmaker, Luxbet

December 2009
Chairman, David Moodie resigns and is later elected as a Director of Racing Victoria Limited

March 2010
TROA supports the continuation of jumps racing in Victoria

June 2010
Andrew Lafontaine is unanimously re-elected TROA Chairman

July 2010
TROA joins with Racing Victoria in funding the ‘Win a share in racehorse’ competition for eligible Owners’’ Gold Card holders

November 2010
TROA calls for the proper reform of Racing Victoria’s position on the Racefields product fees collected from corporate bookmakers. TROA supports a ‘turnover’ model and despite dubious attacks from conflicted media commentators, leads the Industry in maintaining a strong stance on this pivotal issue.