James Mathers

@hughcavill I don’t have much time for the Stan commentators. They are very conflicted and their style isn’t good for the game.

Are the Stan commentators at the ground? Really weird vibe tonight. Very subdued.

@debbie_prest @TTRAusNZ This is a ridiculous and expensive squabble. The only question to be considered is whether an Administrator would do a better job running racing in Sydney than the current board of the ATC. I support the Administration.

#ttranz ttrausnz.com.au/edition/2025-1… via @TTRAusNZ

@debbie_prest @TTRAusNZ We need to stop all the fighting!

As I have always said Racing NSW fights us, the industry, with our own money. Without the participants and clubs there is no money. Our input goes far beyond just $ earned from punters. #ttranz ttrausnz.com.au/edition/2025-1… via @TTRAusNZ

@MartynPercy I suspect many live an unfulfilled life.

…meanwhile, Down Under. share.google/lhAIOmnOaXiv4O…

Barry, the ATC has an inferior board and management team . The governance of the club is failing. I support the proposed Administration.

@ProvenTbreds Different topic however transparency is critical and lacking. I am commencing legal action against a trainer who has refused to provide verification for additional training expenses .

Nick, if you read the article correctly, Via is the only overseas G1 winner to add another G1 in Aus during that period. No surprise to see you defending imports which is fine but get your facts right. The 40% mark up you refer to conveniently doesn’t include GST, race series noms, insurance, vet & sales costs etc. Our actual commission on purchases typically ranges from 3.5-7%. For comparison, others will charge 12.5%. And for imports…who knows? 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Courage and conviction! Please listen.

The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice. Except it doesn’t bend on its own—it bends because we pull it in the direction of justice. What keeps me hopeful during times like these is being surrounded by people who are doing just that.

@debbie_prest I have read with interest. My position is that the industry requires a major reset. Leave no stone left unturned. No sacred cows .

There is a great Letter to the Editor by Anthony Knowler in the Thoroughbred Report tody( couldn't share) he hits the nail on the head regarding the NSW Racing Industry. Worth a read.

@anz_news The industry needs a significant reset . Appointing an Administrator to the ATC is part of that .

Racing NSW: ‘ATC is losing financial resilience’ Trevor Marshallsea unpacks the escalating battle between RNSW and the ATC 👀 anzbloodstocknews.com/racing-nsw-atc…

@vickyleo Prizemoney is probably unsustainable at current levels.

How have breeders driven excessive prizemoney? RNSW literally controls the purse strings. The clubs are working with a funding model that keeps them poor so they go to RNSW begging for infrastructure capital. RNSW isn’t to blame for everything, but they’re certainly responsible for most of it.

I know this article is just a fluffy puff piece, but it is a fairly scary perspective. “Racing in New South Wales is in the healthiest position it has ever been in.” 🤔 - costs are critically unprofitable for owners - breeders are getting out every week as they can’t break even - so the foal crop is plummeting - median prizemoney has stagnated (pop-ups increased the average) - wagering is declining - our clubs are so broke they are willing to sell primary assets or give ownership to RNSW in exchange for infrastructure upgrades Head in the sand. And comments are now turned off 😂

@RealMarkLatham Fair comment however the current board of the ATC is weak. They are very short on commercial and industry experience. That is a significant issue.

Expert analysis of Racing NSW’s finances: Isn't it funny how our mates at Druitt Street have sent the ATC a show cause notice? lol. Racing NSW is sitting on $596 million of assets as per their 30 June 2024 annual report. Half of that belongs to ATC since they make up roughly 50% of the industry revenue. Now Racing NSW wants an administrator for ATC, but Racing NSW is causing financial stress to the race clubs by not giving them their share. What a clown show!

@hughcavill Agreed. We might consistently be in the top 5! Might !

I don't think Australian rugby is 'back', nor is it 'dying'. This is what it is - a second tier sport, and the Wallabies are a second tier team. I'm fine with that! But let's not pretend this team will grow into some sort of dominant beast.

@MagicUK1 Agreed

Nic White has been an absolute embarrassment today. Pushing around when someone’s seriously hurt. Grow up #Lions2025 #AUSvLIO

@hughcavill We disagree again. The referee doesn’t need to have these feelings. He’s the ref! Have you become a socialist?

On the Morgan decision, I think about it this way: the ref needed to not only have a feel for the game, but a feel for the series. What did the people actually want to see? Pretty clearly the answer was a Wallaby penalty and a yellow card to Owen Farrell.

@vickyleo Going back 20 years ago ( I was on the AJC board) the big prizemoney push came from breeders. It has escalated from there . The major race clubs have invested in magnificent facilities which have not shown a return. Those facilities need to maintained and ultimately replaced.

@debbie_prest In my opinion RNSW are confused about their role in the industry.

Early intervention,RNSW won't intervene when owners owe trainers money,stating it's a civil matter. Consultation, representative bodies are denying Consultation took place.Comfortably satisfied does that mean more information required?48 years without industry debt should suffice

@R1CHARDFREEDMAN Let’s start with prize money. Is it sustainable? Let’s then move to the costs of buying and training horses. Are they sustainable. All cards on the table! No sacred cows.

Personally, I doubt a new board will fix the financial problems going forward. I've seen many boards at AJC and ATC. This century, the best have only been able to hold the line. Sometimes, I think it's better to sell a valuable asset to buy new assets that will serve you better.

@Mon4Kooyong It’s not a matter of being divided. They simply disagree on climate change.

The federal opposition remains horribly divided about the country’s need for climate action and a coherent energy policy. The crossbench will be the parliamentary force holding the government to account on climate and environment in this term. theage.com.au/politics/feder…