Race on to save King Island's thoroughbred season

The future of King Island’s 2025 summer racing season hangs in the balance, with the Racing Club warning it may have to scale back or radically reshape the program unless more horses and trainers commit in the coming weeks.

The shortage of horses has plagued the Club for several seasons, with last-minute rescues keeping the tradition alive. But this year, two key contributors, Bill Hayes and Tony “Tubba” Williams, who last season brought multiple horses to the island, have confirmed they cannot return. Current confirmed numbers stand at just ten thoroughbreds and five to six pacers, far short of the numbers needed for a full calendar.

At its recent Annual General Meeting, the King Island Racing Club (KIRC) celebrated strong community support and sponsorships totalling around $90,000, plus the high-profile visits of Racing Minister Jane Howlett and champion jockey Damien Oliver. But the mood quickly shifted as members confronted the stark reality of the coming season.

Compounding the shortage is the soaring cost of racing on the island. Severe drought has driven up feed prices, while trainer insurance premiums have jumped from around $470 to $3,000, with volunteers over 70 excluded from coverage. To ease the financial strain, the Club paid each trained and raced horse a $1,250 subsidy last season, a gesture that cost about $50,000.

President Audrey Hamer told members that TasRacing remains committed to supporting King Island racing, including freight subsidies for horses. However, she warned the Club must present a workable season model within weeks.

General Manager Racing Operations at TasRacing, Liam Swan, joined the meeting via Zoom to reaffirm the governing body’s assistance. TasRacing provides annual travel subsidies and flights for participants and has already allocated the island’s race dates for the 2025-26 season. The seven-race-day program is scheduled to open in late November and close at the end of January, if enough horses can be secured.

Members discussed three possible formats, each with its own risks and rewards:

1. Full Traditional Season
   Includes Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, Beef Day, Ladies’ Day and a feature day
   Pros: Maintains tradition, strong sponsor appeal.
   Cons: Low horse numbers could mean small fields, late cancellations and possible financial loss. Forecast: Near break-even at best, high risk.
2. Condensed “Racing Carnival”
   Three to four marquee meetings over a short three to four-week block.
   Pros: Reduces costs, easier for off-island trainers to commit, allows for concentrated marketing. Could deliver a $30,000 surplus if horse numbers hold.
   Cons: Fewer meetings may reduce sponsor value; bad weather could wipe out much of the season.
3. Hybrid Event Model
   Four or five races per day, combined with community attractions like local sport, live music and food festivals.
   Pros: Viable with current horse numbers, lower risk, projected $36,000 surplus.
   Cons: May disappoint racing purists and reduce wagering revenue.

Treasurer Paul Dodds reported last year’s accounts were audited without recommendations for change, and major sponsorships remain in place. However, members acknowledged sponsorship agreements might need to be renegotiated if the season format changes.

Secretary Chris Conn noted the success of community-focused events, such as the Sports Community Day that replaced last year’s cancelled Miners’ Rest Cup, which drew strong crowds despite a reduced race card.

The meeting ended without a decision, but with a three to four-week window for securing additional trainer commitments from Tasmania and Victoria. Committee members will make direct calls to potential participants, and all three season models will be costed before a final vote.

“The racing spirit on King Island is strong,” Ms Hamer told members. “We’ve got the community behind us, we’ve got TasRacing’s support, now we just need the horses.”

The next meeting will be pivotal. If horse numbers improve, the Club could still stage its traditional season. If not, members may have to choose between a short, sharp carnival or a hybrid community-focused program. Either way, the island’s summer will not be the same without the thunder of hooves down the home straight.