A Brief History of TROA

2004 was the 30th anniversary of establishment of TROA, which was formed following a meeting of 26 racehorse owners at the Hotel Australia on April 23, 1974.

The inaugural Chairman was Mr Geoffrey Bellmaine, Henry Harrison was Vice Chairman. The first committee members were Dom Dimmatina, Kevin Heffernan, Tom Trevaskis and Monty Millson. 34 foundation members joined the association.

TROA has had seven-elected Chairman since 1974,

In 1987, Henry Harrison, Geoffrey Bellmaine, Kevin Harrison and John Dillon were the first TROA members to be awarded life membership. These gentlemen contributed an enormous amount to racing over a long period of time, and John Dillon continues to serve the industry as Chairman of the Melbourne Racing Club.

The Associations previous Executive Officer, Greg Buckingham compiled a summary of TROA’s activities as recorded in the minutes of committee and then board meetings. The summary makes very interesting reading.

A number of issues have been recurring themes over the thirty years of our existence including the obvious ones such as prizemoney levels, owner’s privileges on race days and the possible benefits of the registration of owners.

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.

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