Australian Trainers' Association

News

E2025/50 - Stage 3 - Federal Branch<p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial"> <p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">Nominations are called for:<p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">Federal Branch<ul style="hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; padding: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 11.5px 25px; box-sizing: border-box; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><li>President</li><li>Vice-President (2)</li></ul><p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">The Australian Trainers' Association - Federal AGM will commence at 2pm on Thursday 30 October 2025 at Racing Victoria – 400 Epsom Road Flemington VIC 3031<p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">Nominations must reach the Returning Officer via the lodgement method(s) stipulated below not later than the time specified by the Returning Officer at the Australian Trainers' Association Federal AGM on 30/10/2025 at Racing Victoria – 400 Epsom Road Flemington VIC.<p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">How to lodge nominations, nominations must be lodged via the following method(s): <p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">In-Person: At the Australian Trainers' Association Federal AGM on 30/10/2025 <p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">By Email: A fully completed nomination form including all necessary signatures, may be scanned and submitted by email to <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="mailto:IEBnominations@aec.gov.au">IEBnominations@aec.gov.au</a> <p style="text-align: start; hyphens: none !important; word-break: keep-all !important; margin: 0px 0px 23px; color: rgb(117, 116, 116); font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; white-space: normal; background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255); text-decoration-thickness: initial; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial">Email Subject Line: “ANCVL – E2025/50 – Stage 3 - ATA – Nomination [Name of candidate]

AEC ELECTION 

Stephen Bell

John Symons and Sheila Laxon &ndash; Knight&rsquo;s Choice &ndash; 2024 Melbourne Cup 
The Wayne Wilson Medal recognises trainers&rsquo; personal bests, not just their number of winners or prizemoney earned. A panel of judges assess the monthly winners and vote on who they believe have achieved a career high. 4th Place &ndash; Jeff Dunn, July winner thanks to Sha of Gomer taking out the Rockhampton Newmarket and Grafton Ramornie. 3rd Place &ndash; Tony Gollan, October &amp; May winner thanks to Antino&rsquo;s heroics 2nd Place &ndash; Chris &amp; Corey Munce, June winner after Cool Archie&rsquo;s incredible winter carnival 1st Place &ndash; John Symons &amp; Sheila Laxon, winners of the 2024 Melbourne Cup with 100-1 outsider Knight&rsquo;s Choice
&nbsp;

ATA Queensland -  Wayne Wilson Award

ATA PAT DUFF TROPHY
Barry Lockwood
&nbsp;
The Pat Duff Trophy is awarded to a trainer that achieves as much off the track as on it. The encompass the attributes that late Pat Duff did himself as long time Qld ATA President and Hall of Fame member. Barry Lockwood is widely respected and known as one of the gentlemen of racing, always having the best interests of racing at the forefront of his thinking. Barry has recently appointed Emma-Jane Vincent as his co-trainer which officially marks his continued work as a valued mentor in the Queensland training ranks.

ATA Queensland - Pat Duff Winner

<h3>Amendments to the Rules of Racing of Racing Victoria (Local Rules)</h3>
<a href="https://www.austrainers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Amendment-No-224-16-September-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amendment No 224</a>
Summary
Horses may now be allowed to be declared for more than one race on the same day, mainly to help with Cup week scheduling. LR59F.
Minimum penalties have been increased to a six-month disqualification for certain breaches, though special circumstances can be considered. LR94C.&nbsp; LR105.
Additionally, new rules clarify what advertising is allowed at race meetings and ban political, religious, or social statements to keep the focus on racing. LR66 &amp; LR66A.
These amendments took effect from 16 September 2025.
<a href="https://www.austrainers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Amendment-No-224-16-September-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Click here to read full details Amendment No 224</a>

RULE AMENDMENTS | Racing Victoria Local Rule Amendments

The Racing Victoria Board has approved the following amendments to the Victoria Local Rules of Racing.
AMENDMENT TO LOCAL RULES OF RACING: AR 2 Dictionary - Definition of Serious Offence removing AR 129(2), AR 227(b), AR 233(b), AR 240 (1) and (2) and AR 251.
Amendment to Serious Offences definition
SUMMARY OF AMENDMENT As per current AR 2 (Dictionary) practice, offences such as Running and Handling (AR 129(2)), Breaches of the Rules (AR 227(b)), Other misconduct offences including harassment or bullying (AR 233(b)), Presentation offences (AR 240(1) and (2)), and Possession offences (AR 251) have historically been referred directly to the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT). This practice has recently been the subject of review.
The reason being that often it is beneficial to both the participant and the RV Integrity to deliver swift justice and timely procedural fairness internally. Due to the VRT&rsquo;s heavy case load, efficiency may not be achieved by the current practice of direct referral of these above offences to the VRT.
Therefore, consideration was given to the above charges to allow them to be heard in the first instance by RV Stewards, with discretion given to each case on its merits by all parties.
Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has approved the following Local Rule of Racing amendment effective from 1 July 2025.
AR 2 BE AMENDED AS FOLLOWS: AR 2 Dictionary &hellip; Serious Offences Serious Offence means an offence under, or breach of, one of the following rules: (a) AR 255(1); (b) AR 115(1)(c) and (e); (c) AR 116; (d) AR 236; (e) AR 129(1),(2), (3) and (5); [(2) deleted 1/7/25] (f) AR 227(b); [deleted 1/7/25] (g) [deleted 1/2/24]; (h) AR 229(1)(a), (b), (c), (d); (i) AR 231(1)(a) and (b),(2)(a) and (b),(3); (j) [deleted 1/2/24]; (k) AR 233(b); [deleted 1/7/25] (l) AR 237(1),(2) and (4)-(7); (m) AR 240(1) and (2); [deleted 1/7/25] (n) [deleted 22/11/21] (o) AR 242; (p) AR 244; (q) AR 245(1); (r) AR 246; (s) AR 247; (t) AR 249; (u) AR 251; [deleted 1/7/25] and (v) [deleted 1/2/24]; (w) LR 94C.
<ul>
<li>[Serious Offence definition part (a) amended 23/4/19]</li>
<li>[Serious Offence definition (g), (h), (k), (l) amended 22/11/21]</li>
<li>[Serious Offence definition (g), (j), (v) amended 1/2/24]</li>
<li>[Serious Offence definition (w) added 1/2/24]</li>
<li>[Serious Offence definition (e), (f), (k), (m) and (u) amended 1/7/25]</li>
</ul>
Amendment effective from 1 July 2025
Source: Racing Victoria
<a href="http://rv.racing.com/racing-and-integrity/rules-of-racing" target="_blank" rel="noopener">http://rv.racing.com/racing-and-integrity/rules-of-racing</a>

INFORMATION BULLETIN – Racing Victoria – Amendments to Rules of Racing

RICHARD ANDREWS TO LEAD THE ATA QLD
We are delighted to announce Richard (Rich) Andrews as the ATA&rsquo;s new Queensland State Executive.
Rich has worked at a variety of high-profile organisations across 30 years, including Racing Victoria, Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria, CrownBet and Betr.&nbsp; He also worked with Australia&rsquo;s largest stable, Ciaron Maher Racing, helping them navigate operations through the COVID period (2020-2022) as their Head of Marketing.
Since moving to Queensland in 2023, Rich has held the position of Chief Operating Officer for digital racing platform, RacingX.
The ATA is very fortunate to obtain an experienced executive in Richard who has a deep understanding of the racing industry and its challenges, making him a great asset for Queensland trainers.
We would also like to thank the man Rich will replace, Cameron Partington, for the enormous job he has performed over 15 years in Qld. &nbsp;He was a tireless contributor, always working in the best interests of the training community. &nbsp;We wish him all the best in his future endeavours, hopefully he won&rsquo;t be lost to Industry.
Lastly, Tony Fenlon, who assisted Cam in recent years as Regional ATA Executive has also decided to step away from that role.
Calling for New Committee Members
With the change in State Executive, and after long tenures of their own, both Kelly Schweida and Les Ross have decided the time is right for the &lsquo;next generation&rsquo; of leaders to step up, and have advised they will not re-nominate for their roles on the ATA QLD Committee.
Kelly served the committee for 10 years, with 2 as President, whereby Les committed 15 years to ATA QLD as secretary.&nbsp; The ATA thanks both Kelly &amp; Les for their dedication and commitment to the ATA.
As a result, the ATA QLD is now on the search for new Committee members as it enters the next era. We are seeking committed individuals willing to volunteer some of their time to meet quarterly as a committee, and to engage on industry issues that affect racing and training in Queensland.
If you are interested in making a difference, please reach out to either Richard or I.
Nominations close not later than 12:00pm (noon) Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) Tuesday 17th&nbsp;June 2025.
To nominate, download a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.austrainers.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/E2025-50-Stage-1-Nomination-Form.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nomination Form (click here)</a>&nbsp;or visit the&nbsp;<a href="https://eemt.microsoftcrmportals.com/electoral-event-portal/current-industrial-elections/event-details-industrial/?id=743cb455-1a22-43e4-b980-a3eac69918ca" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) Industrial Elections page</a>.&nbsp; Instructions on how to lodge your nomination are on page 2 of the Nomination Form.
For further information on any matter herein, please contact:
<a href="mailto:Rich@austrainers.com.au">Rich@austrainers.com.au</a>&nbsp;or 0412 319 866
<a href="mailto:stephen@austrainers.com.au">stephen@austrainers.com.au</a>&nbsp;or 0400 331 754
-Stephen Bell, CEO

Australian Trainers Association | Ata News