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Racing NSW today announced a one-off emergency funding relief package for owners, trainers and jockeys affected by the bushfires on the NSW South Coast.

The funding relief is a response to the losses endured from the abandonment of race meetings and other damage caused by the bushfires.

Financial support will be provided to participants affected by the loss of the race meetings as well as support payments to participants directly impacted by the bushfires.

“There has been a substantial interruption to horses' programs as well as personal and business disruption and losses suffered by participants as a consequence of the bushfires,” said Racing NSW’s Chief Executive, Mr Peter V’landys AM.

Three race meetings have been abandoned due to the bush fires.

31 December 2019 - Nowra (abandoned 7.15am day of meeting)
2 January 2020 - Sapphire Coast (abandoned 31 December 2019)
6 January 2020 - Moruya (abandoned 1 January 2020)

Funding relief will be as follows for horses that were set to race at these meetings:

Nowra and Sapphire Coast (Acceptances Taken)
i) abandoned race meeting payment of $200 per horse scheduled to race or $500 for horses trained on the South Coast based at Nowra or further south, to be credited to the owners' account
ii) 4 rides payment per jockey per meeting for all riders engaged, regardless of the number of rides
iii) 1 x $500 one-off payment for South Coast trainers that had runners at one of those meetings based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south

Moruya 6 January 2020 (Abandoned before acceptances)
i) abandoned race meeting payment of $100 per nominated horse or $500 for nominated horses trained on the South Coast based at Nowra or further south, to be credited to the owners' account
ii) a further one-off payment equal to 4 rides for affected jockeys based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south
iii) 1 x $500 one-off payment for South Coast trainers based on the South Coast at Nowra or further south that had runners nominated for the Moruya meeting (if not otherwise payable for Nowra or Sapphire Coast)

Trainers must credit the per horse payments to the owners' monthly accounts.

The abandoned race meeting at Goulburn on 20 December 2019 was also the subject of travel payments for horses scheduled to race and compensatory payments to jockeys engaged to ride at that meeting.

In addition to the above, with the impact of the bush fires, there is also general funding available on application for any participants affected by the fires.

Racing NSW has been contacting participants directly and is assisting with immediate needs.

“In addition to the lack of racing opportunities, there has been significant loss suffered by participants through associated costs,” Mr V’landys added.

“Racing NSW is conscious of the extra financial burden this causes and will assist with funding to replace or replenish supplies and equipment."

For any inquiries please contact Keith Bulloch at Racing NSW via phone on (02) 9551 7588 or kbulloch@racingnsw.com.au