Goodbody faces a challenging job as HRA’s new CEO

GOODBODY faces a challenging journey as the new CEO of HRA

After 17 years at the helm of Harness Racing Australia, long-serving CEO Andrew Kelly has handed over the reins. His replacement, Richard Goodbodya former running journalist The Shepparton Newssteps into one of the most scrutinized positions in Australian racing.

Goodbody brings a wealth of sports administration experience across racing, basketball, cricket and bowls, and his appointment has been cautiously welcomed by industry figures.

He has a deep understanding of the sport and modern communication skills, but he finds himself in one of the toughest jobs in Australian racing: the sport needs direction, unity and confidence more than ever.

AN INDUSTRY AT A CROSSROADS

Harness racing in Australia is struggling with a range of divisive and structural issues – from the stallion levy and the national rating system Unpleasant financing for The Eureka. Each and every one of them will put Goodbody’s political skills and strategic vision to the test.

The politics alone are daunting. The controlling body of each state appoints representatives to the HRA board, and it is not surprising that each of them first takes care of its own patch. Building consensus at the national level will be a delicate balancing act.

BREEDING PRESSURE AND THE STALLION LEVY

Introduced in the 2022/23 breeding season, the Stallion levy (now Stallion registration fee) was intended to provide new funding for HRA initiatives, including the $2.1 million TAB Eureka.

However, many breeders claim this has had the opposite effect. The number of foals has decreased 33 percent in the past five years And 23 percent since the introduction of the levywith several stallions reporting reduced mare bookings and service numbers.

Kelly’s government had promised the levy would help raise yearling sales averages and boost demand for colonial-bred bulls – results that have yet to materialize.

UNDER FIRE RATING SYSTEM

The national rating system remains another sore point. Trainers across the country claim the model has effectively destroyed traditional two- and three-year programming, forcing lightly raced horses and girls to compete with seasoned performers with dozens of wins.

In the absence of a uniform agreement among states on reforms, the issue falls squarely on Goodbody’s desk.

FUNDING, PROFILE AND PARTICIPATION

The broader challenge is financial sustainability. Harness Racing must find new ways to fund prize money, breeding incentives and infrastructure while ensuring competitors feel supported – not burdened or ignored.

Traditional betting and sponsorship revenues are under pressure, and the sport competes fiercely for attention with other racing codes as well as mainstream sports.

Goodbody’s background in marketing and communications will be critical breathe new life into the brandreconnecting with younger audiences and telling the ‘good stories’ of sport – those about wellbeing, integrity and excitement on and off the track.

INTEGRITY, WELFARE AND SOCIAL LICENSE

Public expectations around animal welfare, integrity and transparency continue to rise. HRA will need to demonstrate leadership in traceability, post-race care and ethical management to maintain community trust.

GOVERNANCE AND THE WAY FORWARD

National versus state control has long been a fault line in the governance of the code. Achieving a coherent national strategy, with aligned state implementation and clear roles, will be one of Goodbody’s toughest tests.

But with these challenges also come opportunities:

• A new leader means an opportunity reset direction and rebuild unity.
• Based on its broader sports experience, Goodbody can import best practice of other codes.
• Stronger storytelling and digital engagement can do that attract new owners, syndicates and fans.
• A uniform approach could strengthen this commercial deals and sponsorships throughout Australia.
• A renewed focus on integrity and well-being can secure the sport’s social license in the long term.

A CERTAIN PERIOD IS OVER

Harness Racing’s new CEO takes charge at a crucial time. The building blocks are in place, but structural, cultural and financial issues need to be addressed head-on.

How Richard Goodbody navigates the next 12 to 24 months will go a long way in determining the direction – and perhaps the survival – of harness racing in Australia.

Through Gary Newton