Update on Racing At Eagle Farm Racecourse
23 july 2024
Over the last two days, Brisbane Racing Club has worked with Racing Queensland, Queensland Racing Integrity Commission and the Queensland Jockeys’ Association (QJA) on concerns over the home turn at Eagle Farm.
The final two races at last Saturday’s program were postponed after some jockeys raised concerns over the reason for a horse shying, resulting in a fall at the 600-metre mark at Race 7.
Jockey Robbie Dolan suffered a broken wrist in the fall. We hope to see Robbie back riding soon and we are grateful that the situation wasn’t more serious for all jockeys and horses.
As a result, the QJA have said that jockeys will not ride at Eagle Farm until a solution is found to their concerns at the home turn. The BRC agrees with all stakeholders that safety for all participants is paramount in racing. That has always been our priority.
The QJA has claimed that these incidents are a result of horses shying at the construction of Charlton House, the third residential tower on the outside of the Eagle Farm track in our joint venture with Mirvac.
You may have read or seen media reports in the last 48 hours on this matter, therefore we wanted to update you on this situation:
- Before the BRC Master Plan was designed about a decade ago, extensive consultation was held regarding the placement of buildings close to our racetracks. Jockeys were part of this consultation. We also looked at the experience at other racetracks around the world that have buildings outside their course proper.
- Before Charlton House was constructed last year, a barrier was built to shield some of the construction site. No incidents were reported in the opening months of construction. That barrier remains in place. Our Bernborough Ascot Retirement Village is located at a similar part of the Doomben racecourse. Its construction did not impact on race dates at Doomben.
- The reason for horses shying is unclear. Charlton House has been out of the ground for more than 12 months. No concerns were reported to the BRC until 23 April 2024, upon which the BRC agreed to an onsite meeting to discuss.
- Several meetings followed with more information requested. On 10 May, the QJA listed six incidents in which horses had shied at the 600-metre mark at Eagle Farm which dated back to 26 January.
- All horses listed by the QJA as shying at the 600m mark were trained outside of Eagle Farm and were having their first start at the track.
- The BRC immediately actioned a list of agreed remedial works to signage and sight lines as additional safety measures following consultation with the QJA. The BRC also informed the Australian Jockeys’ Association (AJA) of these works ahead of interstate riders competing over carnival in June.
- The QJA and AJA requested that all horses during the carnival travelled to the start past the construction zone. The BRC recommended that if individual riders or trainers wished to have their horses approach the start via the home turn to familiarise them with surroundings, a request should be placed with stewards.
- The BRC has noted that at the time the initial incidents were tabled, approximately 2500 horse movements in races past the home turn along with about 50,000 horse movements in trackwork had occurred since construction of Charlton House. There were no further incidents reported from 10 May until mid-June.
- Due to matters outside of the control of Mirvac, construction of Charlton House is running behind schedule. It is expected to be completed by January 2025.
- The two residential buildings already opened at Eagle Farm have strict rules around the placement of any items on the balconies that face the racetrack to ensure the safety of horses and jockeys. These rules are well recognised by residents. The same rules will be in place at Charlton House when it opens.
- The BRC is awaiting further information from the QJA on its thoughts on how to improve this situation based on feedback from jockeys. The BRC will also meet the AJA on site this week to discuss this matter.
A meeting was held on the track on Sunday between Racing Queensland, QRIC and the QJA.
Given that there is no clear reason for this situation, a solution is not yet obvious. However, we know that jockeys will not ride at Eagle Farm until they are satisfied that something has changed.
The BRC is willing to investigate any suggestion that can help to allay jockeys’ concerns.
Suggestions that have been made include changing the hoarding wrapped around the scaffolding outside Charlton House. While scaffolding is scheduled to come down in the next three months, this hoarding can offer new screening for construction activity.
Other items discussed and to be considered by the QJA include compulsory barrier trials at Eagle Farm before horses can start in a race at the track. This would apply only to horses not trained at the track. There is also an alternate suggestion of course proper trackwork gallops for those horses.
BRC remains ready to work with all stakeholders to ensure a good outcome. We are optimistic that a fast response will mean minimal disruption to the current racing schedule.