Aktiebolaget Trav och Galopp (ATG), the totaliser board of Swedish horseracing, has suspended its broadcast and betting offer on Australian harness races.
ATG’s board made this decision due to disputes over the use of whips in Australian harness races, which was communicated to Swedish media. ATG has offered betting markets on Australian harness races since 2015, but it has paused this service, citing inconsistencies in how Australian authorities apply whip rules.
As the main broadcaster of racing content for Swedish audiences, ATG has been in discussions with Australian sports representatives about these whip regulations. “ATG believes that having a partnership is the best way to influence matters in the right direction,” the company stated.
However, despite recent positive signals, there has been no concrete move towards stricter whip use regulations. Consequently, ATG has decided to suspend its betting offer on Australian racing until further notice.
Meanwhile, Australian harness racing is under scrutiny following an investigation in Tasmania involving champion trainers Ben and Tim Yole and driver Nathan Ford. An independent stewards panel has found the Yole brothers and Ford guilty of mistreating horses.
The Yole brothers face charges for whip misuse as part of a so-called “pre-race regime” at Ben Yole’s training property. According to findings, supported by testimonies from former stable employees, the Yoles allegedly conducted a pre-race ritual to simulate intense race conditions. This involved tying up horses in a wash bay and using a whip wrapped in a plastic bag to amplify noise, creating loud sounds to simulate the stress of a race and condition the horses for high-pressure situations.
During this process, the Yole brothers reportedly fitted horses with blinds and earplugs, then removed them while using the whip. This practice, combined with loud shouting, was said to startle and frighten the horses, causing undue stress and anxiety.
In further matters related to Swedish horseracing, ATG has asked for its organisation to be exempted from any tax increased on gambling, helping the totaliser maintaining its support for Swedish racing, animal welfare and rural communities.