Financial support for licensed trainers and acknowledged providers in drought affected areas

Racing Victoria (RV) has today announced a drought relief support package for eligible licensed trainers and acknowledged post-racing program providers directly caring for Victorian registered thoroughbreds in one of the 12 Victorian Government defined drought areas in Victoria.

Successful drought relief support package applicants will receive a one time payment of $500 per Stud Book registered thoroughbred (up to a maximum of $10,000 per individual recipient) for the provision of feed for pasture fed thoroughbreds. The thoroughbreds must:

• be in the direct care of the licensed trainer or acknowledged post-racing provider;

• not be actively in race training, or the horse may be retired but still in the care of the licensed trainer; 

• be majority owned by the licensed trainer or acknowledged post-racing program provider; and

• be domiciled in an eligible Local Government Area (LGA) for a minimum of 30 days.

The drought relief support package is only available once per successful applicant in the application window from 14 March 2025 to 30 June 2025.

With impacted feed reserves and lower harvest yields following a sustained drought period putting pressure on feed prices, the drought relief support package aims to help alleviate current impacts and allow recipients time to put in place a plan to manage the potentially ongoing dry conditions.

As of today (14 March 2025), licensed trainers and acknowledged providers residing and directly caring for registered Victorian thoroughbreds in the following LGAs are deemed eligible (access form here) to apply for the drought relief support package:

• Ararat

• City of Greater Geelong

• Colac Otway

• Corangamite

• Glenelg

• Golden Plains

• Moyne

• Pyrenees

• Southern Grampians

• Surf Coast

• Warrnambool

• West Wimmera (southern half – postcodes 3312, 3317, 3318 and 3319)

RV will continue to consult with the Victorian Government and update its website with any changes to the eligible Local Government Areas able to access RV’s drought relief support package.

Applications are now open and can be submitted via the following link on the RV website. They must be submitted by 30 June 2025 to be considered.

The drought relief support package eligibility criteria and financial support is subject to ongoing review and can change at RV’s sole discretion. This is primarily based on the weather conditions and feed costs in Victoria.

Victorian thoroughbred racing industry participants who aren’t eligible for the drought relief support package, who may be facing tough times are eligible to access RV’s general emergency aid support and can find out more by contacting RV.

The introduction of the drought relief support package builds on RV’s suite of equine welfare programs currently available. This includes RV’s:

• Acknowledged Retrainer and Rehomer Programs;

• RESET and PRESET Programs;

• Acknowledged Retirement Farm Providers;

• Diagnostic Imaging Subsidy Program;

• Clerk of Course Subsidy Program;

• Retired Thoroughbred Companion Program;

• Short Term Assisted Recovery Program;

• Emergency Aid;

• Educational Webinars and Seminars Series;

• Full Circle (Emergency Contact) Program; and

• Onsite Humane Euthanasia Program.

For more information on RV’s equine welfare programs, visit equinewelfare.com.au

Quotes attributed to RV General Manager, Equine Welfare, Melissa Ware:

“I know some trainers and acknowledged post-racing program providers with thoroughbreds in their care are finding it tough with the dry conditions and rising feed costs.

“I’ve seen it firsthand with my own family’s farm in the south-west of Victoria and the need to plan to mitigate the impacts on managing horses and livestock.

“I hope the drought relief support package can go some way to assist those with pasture fed thoroughbreds who are facing challenges as a result of the dry conditions, and allow them some additional time to plan and consider their options, such as rehoming.

“I encourage those in the 12 eligible Local Government Areas to apply for the drought relief support package. Our equine welfare team will be on hand to discuss with the applicant their individual circumstances to understand their requirements and answer any questions people may have about the support on offer.

“For those not eligible and seeking emergency assistance, we encourage them to still reach out to us as we may be able to assist through our other safety net programs.”

ENDS.