Legislative Council, Tuesday 11 August 2026
ASKED BY: The Hon. Bec Thomas MLC, Member for Elwick, on behalf of the Hon. Ruth Forrest MLC, Member for Murchison
ANSWERED BY: Leader for the Government in the Legislative Council, the Honourable Tania Rattray MLC
- Have the race dates and trial dates been formally approved by TasRacing?
No. Tasracing has provided clarity to the King Island Racing Club (KIRC) in relation to requirements needing to be met in order to confirm trial and race dates.
(2a) Has TasRacing approved funding for the 2026-27 King Island racing season; and
(2b) if so, what level of financial support has been allocated?
Yes. The Tasracing FY27 Budget contains funding for the KIRC racing season. The total funding allocated is in excess of $400,000.
It should be noted the costs detailed below are hard Opex and exclusive of Tasracing’s input/carrying costs. That is, Stewards, Track Curator, Racing Operations and other resources already employed but re-directed to KI are not included but should be noted as operating costs incurred. In that context, the total cost of the season exceeds $400k
A breakdown is as follows:
| KING ISLAND 2026/2027 | ||
| TOTAL costs associated with the King Island Racing Season | ||
| Stakes | Harness | $ 51,300 |
| Thoroughbred | $ 121,217 | |
| TOTAL | $ 172,517 | |
| Wages | Barrier Attendant | $ 5,880 |
| Clerk of the Course | $ 3,500 | |
| TOTAL | $ 9,380 | |
| Riding/Driving Fees | Thoroughbred | $ 51,450 |
| Harness | $ 6,720 | |
| TOTAL | $ 58,170 | |
| Flights | TOTAL | $ 79,879 |
| Transport | Harness | $ 6,000 |
| Thoroughbred | $ 19,000 | |
| TOTAL | $ 25,000 | |
| Contractors | Ambulance | $ 10,500 |
| Doctor | $ 7,000 | |
| TOTAL | $ 17,500 | |
| Pre Season Track Curation | Flights | $ 1,600 |
| Accommodation | $ 600 | |
| TOTAL | $ 2,200 | |
| Meeting Payment | December (x4) | $ 11,356 |
| January (x3) | $ 8,517 | |
| TOTAL | $ 19,873 | |
| TOTAL EXPENDITURE FOR SEASON | ||
| $384,519 | ||
- Has the King Island program been incorporated into TasRacing’s approved 2026-27 racing calendar and budget?
Please refer 1) and 2) above.
- Has prize money been determined for the four race meetings?
Prize money is determined by the class of racing and, if a season proceeds, could be expected to be in line with recent seasons. Agreement on the number of race meetings is yet to be determined.
- Will trainer participation subsidies, transport assistance or other support measures be available to encourage mainland participation?
Yes.
(6) Has TasRacing entered into a formal funding, operational or race-program agreement with the King Island Racing Club for the 2026-27 season?
Tasracing has budgeted $3k from Club Marketing Support and $10k from our Ladbrokes Partnership to the KIRC.
This is in line with previous season payments in terms of amounts.
Should the coming season proceed, these funds will be made available to the KIRC.
- Following the cancellation of the 2025-26 season due to insufficient horse and trainer numbers, what measures have been implemented to improve the viability of the 2026-27 season?
Tasracing continues to work with the KIRC on options to support viability of the racing season. Continued reduction is horse and participant numbers on King Island remain the primary challenge to viability. It should be noted the King Islang season generates notional wagering income, unlike most Tasmanian race meetings, and commercial and budget considerations must be reasonably considered, i.e. funding is not unlimited.
- Has TasRacing received indications of support from trainers and owners sufficient to give confidence that the announced program can proceed as scheduled?
It is understood the King Island Racing Club is exploring options with owners and trainers to deliver a recommencement of racing for the 2026/27 season. The Club will continue to update Tasracing as to the progress of these discussions and indications of support.
- What is TasRacing’s longer-term commitment to maintaining racing on King Island?
Tasracing provides no guidance in this regard. Each season will be considered on its viability.