RACING DOWN UNDER 
Other than the exploits of Craig Williams, and only then because of his numerous race wins in Japan, I have to admit to knowing very little about the racing scene in Australia beyond the fame of the Melbourne Cup (coming soon, in early November) and the legend of Phar Lap. However, having just visited the Australian Racing Board website and read through the annual review published by the ARB, I'm more than suitably impressed.

There are closer links with Europe than I'd imagined, with the Australian Racing Board's Fact Book highlighting that Danehill was the leading sire Down Under for many years. With around 13,000 Thoroughbreds born in Australia every year, and what looks like a fair percentage of the country's GDP being bet on the 18,000 or so races held annually in Oz, this is big business. But above all, racing looks well-organized and fun to be a part of, either as an owner or spectator. Indeed, if I can find something like the various ownership clubs that exist in Japan (like Carrot Club or Sunday Thoroughbred Club, for instance), then I certainly wouldn't mind joining in and having a slice of the action.

I've created a fresh link to the Australian Racing Board for anyone interested, and copies of the Fact Book can be downloaded in PDF format from there. One can also access the colourful and nicely-presented sites belonging to the local racing organizations, with New South Wales seemingly the biggest of the bunch. All very interesting...