Uncertainty around upcoming King Island racing season

The King Island Racing Club is still waiting for a decision on whether racing will return to the island in January 2027, with TasRacing yet to approve race dates, funding or operational support despite months of preparation by the club.

The proposed return follows the cancellation of the 2025-26 season after insufficient horse and trainer numbers were secured to make racing viable.

The club announced earlier this year its intention to revive racing with four race meetings planned for January 2, 16, 23 (King Island Cup Day) and 30, 2027, along with a series of trial dates.

However, correspondence between the club and TasRacing shows organisers have been seeking confirmation since March, while warning that time is running out to organise transport, accommodation, sponsorship, horses, trainers and officials needed to stage a successful season.

King Island Racing Club president Audrey Hamer has repeatedly pressed TasRacing for a decision, saying uncertainty is making it increasingly difficult to plan.

In a June 1 email to TasRacing executives and Racing Minister Jane Howlett, Ms Hamer said the club had originally expected a decision in April, which was then pushed back to May and has now been delayed until a further TasRacing board meeting.

"Time is running out due to so much needing to be organised to host another successful King Island Racing season," she wrote.

Ms Hamer also expressed frustration at the lack of progress and communication.

"You inform me you are in full support, so if that was the case we would have been included in the budget and our requested dates in the racing calendar," she said.

The correspondence reveals TasRacing has consistently maintained that it supports racing on King Island but cannot make any commitments until budget and programming decisions are finalised.

In April, TasRacing General Manager Racing Liam Swan told the club that TasRacing remained "fully supportive" of racing on King Island and that "nothing has changed from prior years in that regard". He said funding decisions could not be confirmed until the organisation's annual budgeting process was completed and approved by the board.

Mr Swan also noted that a significant portion of the costs associated with conducting racing on King Island, beyond prize money, require specific board approval.

On May 29, TasRacing advised the club that King Island race dates had not been included in the draft 2026-27 Tasmanian Racing Calendar while wider budgeting and funding considerations were still being worked through. The omission means the proposed King Island meetings currently do not appear in the draft statewide racing schedule for next season.

In response to questions from the King Island Courier, TasRacing Chief Executive Officer Andrew Jenkins confirmed the organisation was still considering the possibility of racing returning to the island.

"TasRacing is currently finalising race dates for the coming racing season, including the possibility of re-commencing racing on King Island," Mr Jenkins said.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further given the TasRacing Board is yet to endorse next season's programming and associated funding."

Asked when a decision could be expected, Mr Jenkins said the TasRacing board was scheduled to meet later this month but he could not pre-empt what would be endorsed.

The uncertainty comes despite significant efforts by the racing club to demonstrate support for a revived season.

Correspondence from March shows the club had received commitments or expressions of interest from several thoroughbred and harness trainers, including proposals involving more than 20 horses. The club also explored the possibility of additional harness races, transport arrangements for horses, accommodation options for visiting trainers and connections, charter transport from Victoria, and sponsorship opportunities to improve the viability of the season.

Ms Hamer also raised concerns about the lack of discussion regarding potential tourism support, noting the race season attracts visitors and provides economic benefits for the island's tourism sector and operators. The race meetings have traditionally brought visiting trainers, owners and supporters to King Island, providing a mid-summer boost for local businesses.

The King Island Courier also sought comment from Racing, Tourism and Events Minister Jane Howlett on the status of the proposed season, government support for racing on King Island, whether tourism or event funding options had been considered, and the Government's role in securing the event's future.

Questions put to the Minister included whether the proposed season had government backing, whether tourism or event funding had been considered, and what role the Government would play in supporting the future of racing on King Island. No response was received prior to publication.

The issue is also attracting parliamentary attention, with Ruth Forrest indicating she will place questions on the Legislative Council Notice Paper seeking information about the future of racing on King Island and support for the proposed 2026-27 season.

Braddon Labor MP and Infrastructure, Tourism and Events spokeswoman Anita Dow said she supported efforts to keep racing alive on King Island but warned the broader industry was facing financial pressures.

"I would love to be able to get back to the King Island races again – but things are looking very grim for the entire Tasmanian racing industry," Ms Dow said.

"TasRacing's draft schedule for next season reduces race meetings across harness and thoroughbred racing. With the loss of 40 per cent of its wagering revenue from the Liberals' ban on greyhound racing, we are already seeing TasRacing struggling financially."

Ms Dow said Labor's position remained that racing on King Island should continue if the community demonstrated support.

"We've always said that if the King Island community can demonstrate it wants to keep racing, TasRacing should support it. We'll do everything we can to support that happening."

For now, the King Island Racing Club remains in a holding pattern while awaiting a decision from the TasRacing board on whether the proposed 2026-27 season can proceed.