HRV announces $2.75m Vicbred owning and breeding boost
Victorian owners will race for up to $2.75 million in breeding and sales vouchers under a new two-year initiative beginning September 1. The Vicbred Vouchers program will see 550 races across the next two seasons carry $5000 vouchers for winning owners, giving them a head start towards breeding or buying their next winners. Breeders will also get a direct boost, with the Vicbred Super Series heats, semi-finals, finals, and consolations to award $5000 vouchers to the winning breeder as well as $5000 to the winning owner. The announcement is part of a $3 million breeding and ownership support initiative through the Victorian Racing Industry Fund, with money also allocated to compensate owners for changes to microchipping processes (more details below). Harness Racing Victoria chief executive officer Matt Isaacs said the two-year commitment would encourage ownership and strengthen breeding in Victoria. “These vouchers will further reward owners and breeders and encourage them to build on their proud involvements with Victorian harness racing,” Isaacs said. “Hundreds of owners and breeders over the next two years will be gifted huge incentives to breed in Victoria, which is a win for all involved in the sport.” The Vicbred Vouchers will give owners $5000 towards:
Purchasing a Vicbred Pure or Vicbred Platinum nominated yearling at the Nutrien or Australian Pacing Gold Victorian standardbred yearling sales
Or compensating a service by a Victorian registered sire, subject to the mare being inseminated and foaled in Victoria
The $2.75 million worth of $5000 vouchers will be apportioned as follows:
$750,000 across 150 maiden race winners from September 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026
$750,000 across 150 open-age race winners from September 1, 2025, to November 30, 2026
$1.25 million across 250 winning owners and breeders of 2025 & 2026 Vicbred Super Series heats, semi-finals, finals, and consolations
The Vicbred Vouchers will be awarded in addition to existing first-win bonuses.
Minister appoints Maxine Brain, reappoints Judy Rothacker to HRV Board
The Minister for Racing, the Hon. Anthony Carbines, has appointed Dr Maxine Brain to Harness Racing Victoria’s Board, adding veterinary and animal welfare expertise. Dr. Brain was appointed for a three-year term starting July 1, while HRV Board member Judy Rothacker’s tenure was extended for an additional three years. Mr Carbines congratulated the pair on their appointments. “Dr. Maxine Brain has a long affiliation with racing, racing administration and equine veterinary practices, expertise and knowledge that will be of great benefit to Harness Racing Victoria,” Mr Carbines said. “Judy Rothacker is an educator and leader with a lifelong devotion to harness racing, and I am thrilled that she has chosen to extend her time on the Board.” Dr. Brain becomes the sixth member of the HRV Board, joining Chair Bernard Saundry, Ms. Rothacker, Dennis Bice, John Doherty, and Adam Wallish. “I welcome Maxine to our Board and am sure her equine veterinary experience and racing administration expertise will be a great asset,” Mr Saundry said. Dr. Brain served as a long-time member of Kilmore Racing Club’s committee and sat for six years on the Harness Racing Advisory Council. “I was honoured to be asked to join the HRV Board,” Dr. Brain said. “I have a great passion for the animal, and one of my priorities will be to help advance equine health and welfare."
Save the date for the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame night
The next allotment of greats will be inducted into the Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 4, when a 12th all-timer will also be elevated to a Legend.
Industry members are urged to 'save the date' for one of the best nights on Harness Racing Victoria's calendar, which is set down to take place in the Legends Room at Melton Entertainment Park.
HRV announces changes to foals microchiping processes
Harness Racing Victoria will introduce a flexible, breeder-friendly approach to microchipping foals, which has been designed to support participants while streamlining processes and reducing industry costs.
Owners will have two microchipping options for the 2025 season, which are each supported by one-off $250 rebates per foal.
Foal owners can choose between:
Microchipping by HRV, with help from experienced handlers, at a cost of $350 per foal
Microchipping by a private registered veterinarian, arranged independently by the owner
Once the horse is microchipped and its DNA verified, owners/breeders will be eligible for the $250 rebate. Please note that, to be eligible, the foal must be registered through HRV. HRV CEO Matt Isaacs said the changes would streamline participant processes while maintaining the industry’s integrity and traceability standards. “We recognise the important role breeders play in the harness racing ecosystem, and this change is about giving them options that suit their operations, while still supporting welfare and identification standards,” Isaacs said. “This change will also improve cost and manpower efficiency for the industry, continuing measures to improve sustainability and prioritise participants' returns.”
thetrots.com.au set for a bold new look, greater user experience
Harness Racing Victoria's website, thetrots.com.au, will get a significant makeover next week.
Website visitors will notice a fresh new look and enhanced experiences, particularly:
greater insights and punting tools on the Goodform page
a new-look TrotsVision page, with quick access to trials and replays
enhanced key race dates, which will include a time-saving filter
a great navigation experience, including recommended news
upgraded club mapping, including key details
and a more mobile phone-friendly website
The internal HRV project will be ever-evolving, with further enhancements to follow, including an upgraded trainers' directory, further GoodForm enhancements, a Pony Trots Victoria hub, and a country cup events space.
HRV and industry members meet for council discussion
The Harness Racing Advisory Council met Monday at HRV's Flemington offices for the third of four meetings scheduled in 2025.
The council consists of representatives from Harness Racing Victoria's Board, the Victorian Trainers and Drivers Association, Trots Clubs Victoria, Harness Breeders Victoria, the Victorian Square Trotters Association, and the Victorian Harness Racing Club.
Among the discussion items were:
Recommendations from three working groups, which considered racing & betting, ownership, or the clubs model
Discussion on first-win bonuses and prizemoney distribution
Discussion about blind nominations when setting fields
A financial update, with FY25 slightly improved on budget and HRV on-track to deliver a $33 million turnaround by FY26
A wagering update, advising that average race turnover had defied industry trends, but total turnover was down in line with fewer meetings/races
Insights into HRV integrity's stable inspection framework, which provides a thorough evaluation of stables to ensure they foster good lives for horses
Hero's welcome as Harry officially joins Living Legends
There were reflections, rounds of applause and plenty of carrots for harness racing hero Just Believe as he was officially welcomed into Living Legends on Thursday morning. One of the sport’s most treasured names has joined fellow standardbred Sundons Gift and around 40 thoroughbred stars at the stunning retirement facility in Greenvale, where he will be adored by thousands of racing fans each and every year. Just Believe was retired in early 2025 after a wonderful career that included 38 wins and 23 placings from 83 starts for $1,929,253 in earnings. This left him as Australia’s richest ever trotter and second only to the mighty Lyell Creek on the all-time Australasian list.
Lilley reflects on a night for Gavin and Graeme Lang
Leading trainer Brent Lilley shared a great association with the late Gavin Lang, and he’s hoping to honour the champion reinsman with a winner during Bendigo's all-trotting card on Wednesday night. The Lang memorial meeting was created in 2020 to honour the lives and legacies of Gavin and his father Graeme, who gave so much to the harness racing industry. Lilley’s connection with Gavin Lang stretches back more than two decades, and was sparked by a memorable moment on one of trotting’s biggest stages. Gavin picked up the drive on Game Bid in the Inter Dominion Trotting Championship Grand Final of 2002, and he was victorious. “I probably, up until that time, hadn’t had a lot to do with Gavin,” Lilley said. “Obviously I knew his deeds, he was a champion driver. Anthony Butt drove Game Bid through the heats, and he had to drive his brother’s horse in the final (Take A Moment). So we called on Gavin and the relationship started from there.”
History made as Victoria's Arcee Phoenix lights up Inter Dom
Star Victorian trotter Arcee Phoenix smashed through the $1 million prize money barrier with an emotion-charged $500,000 Inter Dominion trotting final win. Trainer-driver Chris Svanosio praised his late father-in-law, Dr Alistair McLean, for his guidance with Arcee Phoenix as a talented but raw youngster. “Without him, this horse may well not have raced at all and now he’s here as a six-year-old winning and Inter Dominion,” Svanosio said. “There’s lots of feelings at the moments, emotional, excitement and just relief after such a big build-up … we did it.”
James Herbertson claims Australasian Young Drivers Championship
Australia's premier driver James Herbertson added to his bulging CV with another title at Albion Park last night. Herbertson, 25, dominated from the opening night of the 10-race Australasian Young Drivers’ Championship and had the series won before last night’s final heat at Albion Park. It was just the second time Herbertson has represented his state in the series. “I’ve been driving nine years and I’m still a junior, but this is the last year I can drive in this series so it’s great to win it,” he said.
Stallion rosters firming up for stud season in Victoria
With the new breeding season less than a month away, Victorian studs are finalising their sire rosters as broodmare owners stew over the credentials of the plethora of stallions who will have a bearing on their breeding decisions. Alabar Bloodstock’s star-studded lineup, which champion sire Art Major anchors, has one notable absentee from the previous season, namely, Always B Miki, who had a health setback in North America and will not be shuttling this year. The roster includes proven sire Rock N Roll Heaven, the North America Cup winner Pebble Beach, the well performed first crop sires Captain Crunch, The Storm Inside and Ride High, and the trotters Majestic Son, the leading sire for the last nine years, this season’s leading first season sire Elite Stride, and the Hambletonian winner Tactical Approach. Empire Stallions’ frozen sire roster comprises Captaintreacherous, who has headed the Australian two-year-old sire list twice, and Stay Hungry. Llowalong Farms, conducted by Dr Kath McIntosh, is offering five stallions for the new season. The lineup is headed by last season’s premier first crop sire Poster Boy, who has served full books for the last four seasons, and Soho Tribeca, fifth on last year’s rookie sires’ list.
Age Acceptances fees ($451) for Series 28 (Current 2YO) and Series 27 (Current 3YO) of the Breeders Crown finals are now open, with automatic invoicing to occur early in August.
Payment will be due by October 1. If payment is not made by October 1, horses will be automatically withdrawn.
To withdraw invoiced fees: Log onto HarnessWeb: Go to Ownership > My Futurities > Breeders Crown and select your eligible horses under Series 27 or 28 age acceptances or email breederscrown@hrv.org.au
Thank you to all participants who have renewed for the new racing season starting 1st September. Licensees can renew online through Harnessweb with ability to upload medical and declare betting (Drivers).
As part of the renewal process to have a licence activated, you must complete payment and HRV online Compliance Courses through the Safetrac Portal.
Online foal notifications are now available online through HarnessWeb to complete for services in '24/25 breeding season. All services must be submitted regardless of the outcome.
For a live foal, please ensure this is actioned within 3 weeks from foaling date to avoid late penalties
Reminder HRV advised from July 1, 2025, the following transaction functions must be completed online through HarnessWeb:
· Foal Notifications · Namings · Transfers of Ownership · Licence applications including renewals · Leases · Deregistration/Death of horses · Split Prizemoney Payments.
This was introduced by state controlling bodies to streamline these processes, significantly reducing paperwork and manual processing.
HRV recognises that not all participants will have the available technology to use the online HarnessWeb processes and assistance will continue to be provided in those extenuating circumstances.
ACCOUNTS:
SPLIT PRIZEMONEY PAYMENTS
Split Prizemoney Payments is now available for managing owners of partnerships to setup via HarnessWeb with Stake money distribution split to everyone including Futurity Win Bonuses & Participant Incentive bonuses.
To be eligible Owners must have an active HarnessWeb Account populated with up-to-date Email and Australian/International Bank Account Details.
Have a query? Contact HRV's Customer Service Team on 03 8378 0200, 8.30am-5pm weekdays, or email info@hrv.org.au
From HRV's racing office: Key race dates
HRV's racing calendar is starting to build up to some of its most significant nights of the year, including the October 18 Victoria Cup, which also features the Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby, Pryde's EasiFeed Victoria Oaks, and Victoria Trotters Oaks.
Other key races dates include:
Tonight: The Gavin Lang and Graeme Lang Aldebaran Park 2YO Trotting Miles
August 16: The VHRC Holmfield
September 13: The Nutrien Equine Classic Finals and VHRC Caduceus Classic
October 4: The Aldebaran Park Need For Speed Prince and Princess Finals
October 11: The Hyland Harness Colours Smoken Up Sprint, Woodlands Stud Victoria Derby and Pryde EasiFeed Victoria Trotters Oaks Heats
For the full list see the 'Key Races Dates' at thetrots.com.au
Contact the Racing office on 03 8378 0291 from 7.30am-3.30pm weekdays or 8-9am weekends and public holidays, or email racing@hrv.org.au. For late scratchings or driver changes out of hours, leave a message on 03 9214 0650.
From Pony Trots Victoria: The new Pony Trots Victoria season starts again in September after a winter break, which has produced some great highlights despite our racing taking a break. Annabelle Stanley and Whatarose, pictured, were Victoria's representatives in the Mini Trot Inter Dominion and came away with a win in the pony division on ID25 night at Albion Park. Congrats!
Drought support Did you know there is government funding available to help farmers prepare for dry conditions and future-proof their properties? The State Government’s On-Farm Drought Infrastructure Grants Program offers up to $5,000 in matched funding for eligible primary producers across the state, and up to $10,000 for those located in eligible parts of south-west Victoria. This program supports practical infrastructure upgrades that can help manage current drought conditions and improve your resilience into the future. Funding can assist with:
Setting up or improving stock containment areas
Installing or upgrading water systems (e.g., pumps, tanks, troughs, bores)
Building fodder and grain storage
Laneway upgrades, internal fencing, or shelter belts
Getting expert advice to support drought and animal welfare planning.
To take advantage of this opportunity, you'll need to match the funding with your own investment (dollar-for-dollar), and projects must be completed within three months of receiving approval. Reimbursement is provided after the work is done, so you’ll need to cover costs upfront and then claim. Who can apply? If you own, share, or lease a primary production business in Victoria, hold an ABN (as of 30 Sept 2024), and meet the income thresholds, you could be eligible. Even if you've already received some funding under the program, you may be able to top it up (up to the maximum amount) if you’re in an eligible LGA. For further information or support, check out www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.
Equine Welfare Framework and stable inspections
Harness Racing Victoria is committed to ensuring the highest standards of equine welfare across the industry. HRV’s Equine Welfare Framework sets out clear expectations to safeguard the health, safety, and wellbeing of standardbreds throughout their racing careers and beyond.To uphold these standards, HRV will continue to conduct stable inspections to monitor compliance.
All participants must familiarise themselves with the Equine Welfare Framework and assess whether their stable meets these requirements. If you recognise that you are not meeting these standards, we encourage you to reach out to HRV Integrity for advice and guidance.
Maintaining the welfare of our horses is a key responsibility for all participants. We appreciate the cooperation of all industry participants in meeting these essential standards. A copy of the Equine Welfare Framework can be found here.
Changes to elevated TCO2 levels policy
HRV's integrity department has reviewed its Elevated TCO2 Levels Policy to enhance integrity measures.
As a result, HRV is implementing key changes to strengthen its approach, including:
Extended TCO2 monitoring: A horse will now remain on HRV’s TCO2 list for six race starts instead of the previous three race starts
Mutual recognition across jurisdictions: If a horse is placed on another controlling body’s TCO2 list, and HRV is formally notified, the horse will automatically be subject to HRV’s policy if it races in Victoria
These measures reinforce HRV’s commitment to fair competition, integrity, and transparency. The updated policy will come into effect on June 2, 2025.
View the updated policy here. View the elevated TCO2 levels list here.
Contact HRV's integrity department via the details listed below for more information.
