October
AugustEthics supremo needed
I would like to initiate a call for the establishment of an authority to oversee ethics and ethical standards in the thoroughbred racing industry.
It is my perception, shared I believe by many others, that too often business concerns override ethical concerns in racing and its governance.
To list just a few concerns of recent years regarding ethics:
• a permit to ride here for an overseas jockey then under a very heavy cloud in Britain,
• the non-recognition of a disqualification imposed on an Australian jockey in a jurisdiction entitled to Australian reciprocity,
• the failure to disqualify a placegetter in a major race after that horse was given analgesic treatment in the lead-up to the event,
• the watering of a major racetrack to favour a strong drawcard, engendering very significant gate takings and enhanced turnover, and
• the ignoring of litigation resolved out of court, when said litigation reflects negatively on the honesty and integrity of licensed persons. Out-of-court settlements with rigid confidentiality clauses avoid adverse publicity but are ethically challenged.
The appointment of a racing industry ethicist should not be a politically inspired sinecure for a retired judge or the like. Rather the job should go to a person with a long and unblemished record in racing, whose name is a byword for ethical conduct and integrity.
These qualities were very quickly recognised by the Australian rules football industry, which acted promptly to secure the services of the man who is just right for what I propose.
Rutherglen (Vic)