Country race meetings are the heartbeat of regional Australia. Unlike city races where only a small percentage of people attend, country race days see entire towns turn out to support their local event.

These gatherings are far more than just horse racing – they’re central to the social, cultural and economic life of the communities that host them.

Many people plan all year for their local race meeting. When racing stewards cancel events at the eleventh hour, it’s not just disappointing – it’s financially devastating. Months of planning, food preparation and community investment go to waste.

The recent cancellation of the much-anticipated Louth Races perfectly illustrates this problem. Racing stewards called off the event in a pre-dawn meeting and refused to reassess the track later that morning, despite forecast sunshine.

By the time the races were scheduled to start, the track had dried out, but the decision couldn’t be reversed. The community lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in direct costs and missed visitation opportunities.

There was a string of cancelled country races in 2023, with local committees given little chance to make tracks safe before their events. After discussions with Racing NSW, racing stewards began working more closely with organisers to help races proceed when possible.

It’s disappointing that the Louth Races didn’t receive this same consideration.

Country race clubs deserve the right to appeal cancellation decisions and receive compensation when events are cancelled without good reason.

These communities put enormous effort and resources into their race meetings. They shouldn’t be left to wear the costs when decisions are made too hastily or without proper consideration of changing conditions.

If you wish to, show your support by signing the petition calling on the NSW Government to:

• Allow country race clubs to appeal Racing NSW cancellation decisions
• Provide compensation when events are cancelled without good reason

Sign the petition at  https://www.roybutler.com.au/country_race_cancellations.

This article appeared on Back Country Bulletin on 31 August 2025.