Hopefully NZTR Don't Follow Suit and Levy Owners An Additional 5% of Stakes

[Chief Stipe]

He needs to be sacked': Munz attacks Jones

At loggerheads … Thoroughbred Racing Owners’ Association boss Jonathan Munz (left) and Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones.

 

 

By Gilbert Gardiner
08:27am • 29 December 2023

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Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association chairman Jonathan Munz wants Racing Victoria chief executive Andrew Jones sacked for doing a "terrible job".

Munz, a prominent racehorse owner and breeder, whose stable includes The Everest and multiple Group 1 winner Giga Kick, said the RV board "needs a major refresh too".

Munz launched the scathing attack on Wednesday in reply to a prizemoney levy RV has introduced to fund stable wellbeing programs.

"In my opinion, apart from these (levy) issues, Andrew Jones, the CEO of RVL is doing a terrible job and needs to be sacked," Munz said.

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"There is widespread dissatisfaction across the whole industry with the performance of RVL.

"Jones is regarded as arrogant, out of touch and lacking racing knowledge and experience.

"He and his team are considered to be completely out of their depth and apart from fundamental management errors, are seen as pushing a misconceived radical strategy that has alarmed industry investors and participants.

"Undermining confidence, disparaging our participants and race clubs and putting off our existing customers is not sensible and needs to be stopped.

"The RVL board needs a major refresh too, with the majority of directors needing to be replaced.

"They have enabled and encouraged this situation and if anything, are seen as more culpable, given that they appointed and have failed to manage and control Jones and failed to respond to concerns about the damage being done to the industry."

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The appointment of a new RV board member and chairman is expected in the New Year with short-listed candidates set to be interviewed for the position vacated by former chairman Brian Kruger.

When contacted by this masthead after TROA's statement, Jones referred commentary to interim chairman Mike Hirst.

"There is nothing new in Mr Munz's comments," Hirst said.

"He continues to misunderstand that there is one pool of funds and all expenses are paid from that pool."

RV last Friday announced a one per cent levy, worth about $3m, to help trainers manage WorkCover claims and soaring premiums.

Munz has urged RV to fund the $3m workplace safety initiatives and insurance premium relief package through its own cost savings and not at the owners' expense.

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Prizemoney deductions currently include horse welfare (two per cent) and jockey welfare (one per cent).

The new stable welfare contribution (one per cent) is set to start from February 1.

"TROA wants to support trainers in these areas, but the money needs to come from RVL's general budget and not taken out of the pockets of owners," Munz said.

"This reflects lazy and incompetent management from RVL.

"There is supposedly at least $10 million of spending wastage that can be saved in the existing RVL general budget and another $10 million of cost savings available from inefficiencies in the integrated media business, which includes Racing.com. Start there please.

"RVL is already taking a two per cent levy from prizemoney for horse welfare and a one per cent levy for jockey welfare.

"We have previously asked for detail and transparency on the $6m being taken for horse welfare and RVL has refused to provide any detail. I find that outrageous."

Hirst defended the Workcover subsidy, which will be removed after two years, by which time it is hoped streamlined workplace claims processes and improved safety measures will naturally help to reduce premiums.

"At a time where trainers are doing it hard the Board has decided to temporarily reallocate some of that pool whilst also cutting RVL expenditure," he said.

"The majority of reasonable owners are happy to support their trainers noting deductions from prizemoney in Victoria are in line with or less than those in other states".

[curious]

Don't think it makes any difference. If they want to fund a well being programme, the money will be taken out of funding before stakes are allocated anyway. That seems a more logical way of doing it rather than advertising stakes of $x then actually paying $x - 5%.

[Huey]

5% is wildly excessive, especially in NZ where it appears to be a rehoming programme for only those in the club.

[curious]

A rehoming programme? What do you mean?

[Chief Stipe]

Horse Welfare (two per cent)

Jockey Welfare (one per cent) 

Stable Welfare Contribution (one per cent) - don't most industry employers fund this type of programme out of their own profits?

Total 4% from Owners Stakes.  (On top of the Trainers and Jockey's percentages).

Sorry I was out by 1%.

 

 

[Chief Stipe]

Racing Victoria to help trainers with $3m fund

generic horse racing picture victoria

 

By Gilbert Gardiner
08:33am • 22 December 2023

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Racing Victoria is set to invest more than $3m – one per cent of prizemoney – into stable wellbeing initiatives, including a 30 per cent subsidy for two years to help trainers cover soaring WorkCover premiums.

The racing regulator will make the announcement on Friday in conjunction with the Australian Trainers' Association.

A service for trainers to manage workplace claims and get injured workers healthy and back to work is among the initiatives, along with enhanced safe and respectful workplace education.

Emergency support funding for stable staff involved in a serious racing-related incident and the renewal of Stableline, an independent 24-7 counselling service for workers in need, shall also be covered.

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The investment builds on the recommendations of the Racing Integrity Commissioner's Review into Victim Support and Complaint Processes, published last September.

RV chief executive Andrew Jones welcomed the changes.

"All three initiatives are critical to the sustainability of our industry," Jones said.

"We thank the ATA for its collaboration and trust these changes will be supported by all Victorian owners and participants."

A one per cent prizemoney contribution, to support trainers and their staff, from February 1 will mirror the current take outs for equine (two per cent) and jockey (one per cent) welfare programs.

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RV has boosted prizemoney, excluding club contributions, by $75m – 38 per cent – since 2018.

The WorkCover subsidy, backdated to July 1, will be removed after two years, with the remaining 0.5 per cent contribution going to trainer and worker welfare.

It is hoped by 2026 the streamlined workplace claims processes and improved safety around stables and training centres should naturally help to reduce premiums.

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ATA President Robbie Griffiths said significant challenges arise every day in working stables.

"This support – combining financial, workplace injury, and health and safety consulting services and education – will certainly help stables better manage many of their challenges," Griffiths said.

"It is a tangible commitment by Racing Victoria for the long-term benefit of all Victorian trainers and their staff, and one that I am sure will be roundly applauded."

Racing Queensland recently implemented a similar 30 per cent subsidy to help trainers in the Sunshine State.