‘Significant changes’ – Racing Australia set to choose partner for major tech overhaul

Racing Australia is set to announce a technology partner to collaborate in the development of a new process covering Stud Book, registration and all racing systems in the next month.

The national body finally published its annual report for the 2024/25 financial year, with chief executive Paul Eriksson revealing a focus on “traceability, data integrity and cyber security”, while setting the foundations for what was termed “the modernisation and rebuild of the systems supporting the operation of the Thoroughbred Racing Industry”.

Eriksson confirmed a three-step plan was underway at the national body to migrate Racing Australia’s technology platforms to cloud infrastructure, rationalise and upgrade communications and cybersecurity capabilities, and engage an external development partner to collaborate on the specification and build of a new national system.

“Racing Australia undertook a review of its in-house development team workload and capabilities, identifying that whilst there was a strong skill set to maintain and enhance the existing systems, we were not in a position to design and build new systems using current technology and systems,” Eriksson said.

“As such, Racing Australia has searched for a development partner to collaborate in the development of a new system covering Stud Book, registration and all racing systems. We anticipate making an announcement on the selection of a partner by June 2026.”

The rebuild has been long anticipated by the racing industry, which has been concerned that the current system, as it ages, could become a liability to the operations of the racing and breeding industry.

Eriksson also revealed that RA continued to work on other projects, including a mobile application which facilitated better traceability, upgraded stable returns, improved integration between the Stud Book and the Single National System, late foal ownership declaration compliance, an API connecting to sales houses, integration with international form and the establishment of a unique ID to standardise access to its systems for users.

“The work that has been carried out continues to lay foundations for significant changes in future service delivery that will deliver benefits to the racing and breeding industry,’ Eriksson said.

“The next 12 months will see the continuation of work on the new SNS design, specifically the Australian Stud Book and Register of Racehorses, that utilises a single view of the horse from registration through to retirement.”

The details around the “next 12 months” timeline are uncertain, as the annual report was not published until nearly 11 months into the following financial year. According to the document properties on the PDF, the annual report document was created on May 19, 2026.

The annual report revealed a 2024/25 surplus of $2.2 million, with Racing Australia bouncing back to the black after bearing the cost of an ill-fated project with New Zealand in 2023/24.

Revenue fell slightly to $15.53 million, while costs were reduced by $2.6 million, with the RA having put behind it a failed project that attempted to align the technical administration of Australia and New Zealand racing, which it exited in 2023 at a cost of $4 million to both parties.

Racing Australia’s cash reserves increased from $13.4 million at June 30, 2024 to $14.9 million as at June 30, 2025.  

RA also revealed it processed 91.5 per cent of over 11,000 horse registrations and sent 3.2 million emails and 1.8 million SMS messages across the year, while it received over 112,000 phone or online transactions.

It fell slightly short of the standards for the prescribed timing for the publishing of nominations, acceptances and scratchings.

“Whilst the 2024/25 year has continued to be challenging, Racing Australia staff have worked tirelessly to ensure the necessary services continue to be provided to support the racing industry,” Eriksson said.

“Thoroughbred racing is a unique and resilient industry full of dedicated, passionate and committed individuals. I look forward, as does all of Racing Australia, to continue to support the industry’s operation and growth.”