News Detail

Racing SA has announced targeted prizemoney increases across key areas of the South Australian racing program, alongside a series of sustainability measures and initiatives designed to support the long-term competitiveness of the industry.

The sustainability measures and initiatives follow an extensive review of Racing SA's racing program, prizemoney distribution and own operations in response to ongoing national wagering challenges affecting Australian racing.

The changes will see increases in prizemoney for higher-grade Saturday racing, three-year-old races and selected feature events, with a focus on retaining quality horses in South Australia and strengthening commercial appeal.

Under the revised program:

• Saturday metropolitan high-class races will increase to $80,000.
• Saturday three-year-old races will increase to $70,000.
• Sportsbet Finals Day will receive additional prizemoney.
• The Balaklava Cup and Murray Bridge Gold Cup will receive prizemoney increases.
• The two-year-old Moorundi Classic will now be run in December and increased to $110,000.

The review identified operational cost efficiencies within the organisation, together with changes to metropolitan race programming, participant fees and industry funding arrangements.

Racing SA Chairman Rob Rorrison said the prizemoney increases were directed towards areas of the program with the greatest opportunity to strengthen participation and commercial performance.

“South Australian racing has continued to generate strong and competitive fields, and it is important that our prizemoney program supports that momentum.

“These increases are deliberately targeted at higher-grade Saturday racing, our two- and three-year-old program and selected feature events where we believe they can provide the greatest upside.

“A stronger two- and three-year-old pathway encourages owners and trainers to retain promising horses in South Australia, while more competitive prizemoney also increases the appeal of our racing program to a broader audience.

“The repositioning of the Moorundi Classic and increased investment in key race days will give participants clearer pathways to feature interstate races and strengthen the quality and profile of South Australian racing.”

The broader funding review follows benchmarking against other Principal Racing Authorities (PRA) and a review of fees that have remained largely unchanged despite increasing administration and operational costs. To help address the inequality, nomination fees will increase by $5 for Country and Provincial races and by $10 for Metropolitan races and races valued above $80,000. The standard scratching fee (with rider) will increase to $300 plus GST, bringing it closer to the riding fee that remains payable by Racing SA when a horse is scratched after a jockey has been engaged.

Racing SA will also introduce a dedicated 1.5 per cent prizemoney deduction for jockey and participant welfare, providing ongoing funding for initiatives supporting jockey and participant health, safety and wellbeing. This will complement the existing 1% equine welfare allocation, aligning with neighbouring PRA deductions, totalling 2.5%.

Racing SA Chief Executive Officer Nick Bawden said the reforms would establish a more sustainable and transparent model for funding services that support industry participation and programs.

“Racing SA has a responsibility to continue investing in prizemoney while also ensuring the industry is operating on a sustainable footing.

“The newly introduced dedicated participant welfare allocation will support programs for jockeys and other industry participants, while our existing commitment to equine welfare remains in place.

“It also gives Racing SA greater capacity to plan responsibly for the services, infrastructure and industry support that South Australian racing will require into the future.

“Racing SA has consistently stepped forward when the industry has needed support. This reform is about making sure we can continue to provide that support, rather than relying on short-term or ad hoc funding responses.”

Bawden said the package balanced responsible financial management with continued investment in the racing program.

“We recognise that changes to fees and funding arrangements have a direct impact on participants, and we do not make those decisions lightly.

“However, maintaining settings that no longer reflect the cost of delivering racing is not sustainable. This package directs investment into the parts of the program with the strongest growth potential while establishing a responsible funding base for the industry as a whole.”

The changes will commence from 1 September 2026, with supporting information to be made available from Racing SA’s website.