Racing Confidential: Will Johnson calls for ‘proper reset' for racing nationally as Rosehill sale plan exposes divisions

News.com.au

15-05-2025

The Rosehill sale proposal has illustrated the deep divisions within NSW racing and also shone a light on some of the fundamental issues confronting the sport.
Despite the prizemoney boom of recent years, the racing industry has some very real challenges including the downturn in wagering revenue, declining foal crops, rising costs and fierce competition between jurisdictions.
But rather than throw some of these issues in the too-hard basket, respected bloodstock agent Will Johnson has penned a thought-provoking piece that should be compulsory reading for all racing administrators.
Johnson, who is 'bred in the purple' as his paternal great-grandfather Walter bred and raced the mighty Vain, and his grandmother, Mary, is a descendant of the WS Cox family, wrote that the Australian racing industry is in need of a 'proper reset.'
He highlighted various issues that were specific to the breeding industry and yearling sales before addressing the Rosehill sale proposal and the need for a national racing strategy.
'The proposed sale and redevelopment of one of Sydney's iconic racecourses (Rosehill) has created more questions than answers,'' Johnson wrote on his William Johnson Bloodstock website.
Australian Racings at a crossroads - credit culture, shrinking foal crops, and imported stayers.
But maybe, just maybe, it’s the perfect time for a reset.
Some thoughts (and solutions) in the latest WJB piece: https://t.co/fJRWPdEz83
— William Johnson Bloodstock (@wj_bloodstock) May 12, 2025
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'While the need for long-term funding is obvious, the way the Australian Turf Club has presented the plan to its members has been underwhelming – lacking the transparency and strategic vision that such a significant decision demands.
'And more broadly, it exposes a deeper issue: Australia doesn't yet have a national plan for racing. We have competing state jurisdictions, overlapping interests and fragmented execution.
'The Japanese model, run through the Japan Racing Association, shows what a centralised, national strategy can look like; controlled ownership, centralised funding, 10 JRA tracks and 25 in total, and a wagering product that outpaces almost everyone globally.''
• Rosehill sale plan backed by Newhaven Park's Charles Kelly
Johnson said the Australian racing industry has an opportunity to 'reset how we breed, train, sell and race horses.''
'A tighter market? It'll sharpen our decisions. A declining foal crop? It'll force a return to quality racing. Rising costs? They'll reward efficiency. A fragmented racing structure? It's the perfect time to build something more unified,'' Johnson wrote.
'Because this is still the best racing jurisdiction in the world to own a horse. And if we get his next part right – smarter breeding, better infrastructure, a more strategic national focus – we're not just future-proofing the game. We're giving it a new foundation to thrive.''
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A SHARE in Newgate's super sire Extreme Choice sold for $540,000 at the Inglis Digital sale earlier this week which demonstrated, once again, the robust nature of Australia's breeding industry.
The share was purchased by Queensland-based Glenlogan Park and Steve Morley Bloodstock and places a valuation on Extreme Choice of $27 million.
Despite fertility issues, Extreme Choice has emerged as an outstanding stallion and has already sired the winners of the Golden Slipper (Stay Inside), Melbourne Cup (Knight's Choice), Blue Diamond (Devil Night), VRC Oaks (She's Extreme) and Coolmore Classic (Espiona).
NEWS: A share in world class stallion Extreme Choice topped tonight’s #InglisDigital May (Early) Online Sale, selling for $540,000. READ MORE: https://t.co/Mfm1kOzf1Z pic.twitter.com/E2ZgbyPuAR
— Inglis (@inglis_sales) May 14, 2025
Extreme Choice is only the second stallion in history to sire the winners of the Golden Slipper and Melbourne Cup after Sir Tristram.
Newgate has set Extreme Choice's service fee at $330,000 for the spring breeding season, a figure eclipsed only by Coolmore Stud's boom young stallion Wootton Bassett who will stand at a national record $385,000 service fee.