Racing Australia Forms Seven-Person Black Type Advisory Group

Racing Australia has assembled seven of the thoroughbred industry's most influential figures into a newly formed Black Type Advisory Group, a direct response to the Asian Racing Federation stripping the domestic body of decision-making authority over Group and Listed race classifications for an indefinite period.

The Black Type Advisory Group, known as BTAG, draws its inaugural membership from across the auction, stud and breeding sectors: Magic Millions managing director Barry Bowditch, Inglis Bloodstock chief executive Sebastian Hutch, Widden Stud principal and Aushorse chair Antony Thompson, Andy Makiv (listed by different sources as either Godolphin Australia managing director or Darley managing director), South Australia-based bloodstock agent Adrian Hancock, Arrowfield Stud bloodstock manager Jon Freyer, and retired studmaster and breeder Duncan Grimley.

Racing Australia's board unanimously approved the creation of the independent panel. Under the BTAG charter, members cannot hold positions with Racing Australia, state Principal Racing Authorities, or racing clubs. The group's initial mandate is to assess potential upgrades, downgrades and additions to the Australian Black Type List and provide an independent view through Racing Australia to both the relevant PRAs and the Asian Pattern Committee.

The formation addresses a governance crisis that has been building since at least October 2024, when Racing Australia adopted new black-type guidelines relying on largely objective criteria, chiefly the benchmark rating of top performers. Racing NSW subsequently made a number of Listed and Group upgrades under those guidelines, but the Asian Racing Federation, the Blue Book of the International Cataloguing Standards, the Australian Stud Book, all major auction houses, and pedigree producer Arion rejected them. Those New South Wales races were run and advertised with their PRA-approved status but do not appear as upgraded in sales catalogues or stud books, creating a practical split between domestic and international recognition that directly affects the commercial value of horses trained and bred in Australia.

The BTAG formation also fills a structural void that stretches back further still. Australia's domestic Pattern Committee has not convened since 2017.

Racing Australia chairman Rob Rorrison said the organisation was prepared to work within the new oversight framework while pursuing a longer-term solution. "We are delighted to have this highly credentialed group agree to provide their expertise at this critical time," Rorrison said. "Their independent view will undoubtedly be of great value to both the PRAs and the Asian Pattern Committee as they consider the composition of the Australian Black Type List."

Racing Australia's December 17, 2025, media release acknowledged the ARF's position was fully supported by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, citing the absence of approved Australian black-type guidelines that comply with the Asian Pattern Committee Ground Rules and the lack of functioning management protocols. The statement committed to collaborating with the APC during this period while warning that failure to adopt compliant guidelines "could lead to other actions being taken."

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse CEO Andrew Hore-Lacy welcomed the inclusion of breeder voices on the panel. "Black type is the recognised measure of merit in thoroughbred racing and breeding, and it underpins the value of Australian-bred horses in both domestic and international markets," Hore-Lacy said. "It is encouraging to see experienced breeders represented on the Black Type Advisory Group, including Aushorse Chair Antony Thompson and TBA Board Member Andy Makiv. Their involvement will help ensure the perspective of breeders is part of the discussion as these matters are considered with a national focus and with Australia's international standing in mind."

Racing Victoria offered its backing without reservation. "RV supports Racing Australia's appointment of the Black Type Advisory Group and the members chosen," a Racing Victoria spokesperson said. "This Advisory Group is representative of the right stakeholders and comes following important engagement with stakeholder groups and PRAs on its composition."

Whether BTAG recommendations carry sufficient weight with the Asian Pattern Committee to reverse the catalogue and stud book recognition gap created by the rejected NSW upgrades remains the central unresolved question for breeders and auction houses heading into the next selling season.