ON THE strength of promising results in 2023, Harness Racing South Australia has released some pleasing figures for the first four months of this season.
The state experienced growth in almost every category for the January 1 to April 30 period, with increased prizemoney and market share the two most significant factors.
Stakes during the term rose by 21.1 per cent, with the average prizemoney per race lifted by 5.2 per cent.
HRSA also conducted 15.1 per cent more races.
Along with strategic planning, HRSA cites a nine per cent jump in field size as a driving force for the improved statistics.
"Last year was a season of significant growth for harness racing in South Australia, breaking decade-long droughts for horse population and market share increases," HRSA Chief Executive Dean Elliott said.
"This also led to an increase of 33 per cent in prizemoney this financial year.
"To see the 2024 season continue in the same direction is extremely encouraging, but like any racing jurisdiction, we are under no illusions of the funding challenges facing our industry, namely a correction in turnover which has been felt nationally across all codes.
"HRSA has been able to offset these headwinds by increasing horse population; cementing its wagering agreement; increasing the POC pass through rate from state government and increasing its market share (in South Australia the POC rebate amount and SA TAB dividends are determined by market share from the prior financial year).
"As we keep growing the local horse pool, HRSA will continue to seek ways to innovate its program to best suit horses participating in SA racing."
