The Facility

Located within the Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre (HVERC) complex at Scone Racecourse, Racing Australia now has a permanent presence in the heart of Australia’s leading Thoroughbred and equine breeding region. Through the establishment of the EGRC in Scone, Racing Australia is proud to be returning to regional Australia some of the support it has always given the Australian Thoroughbred industry.

The Hunter Valley Equine Research Centre was initially funded by Federal and State Government grants through the Hunter Regional Development Organisation and the Hunter Economic Development Corporation, along with equine industry funding and contributions from the local community of over $1M. The building was opened in 1998.

Racing Australia (RA) is the national industry body representing Thoroughbred racing in Australia. In 2015, Racing Australia purchased the Australian Stud Book (ASB) from the Australian Turf Club and the Victoria Racing Club. The Australian Stud Book records the official bloodlines for all Thoroughbreds born and raced in Australia. As part of the acquisition of the Stud Book, Racing Australia decided to bring all its operations under their own banner, and thus, the Equine Genetics Research Centre was born.

Racing Australia was able to utilise an existing laboratory located within the HVERC, and with minor building works and the installation of state of the art testing equipment, establish a benchmark industry facility.

The Racing Australia Equine Genetics Research Centre (EGRC) was officially opened on Monday 23 April 2018 by Russell Balding AO, Deputy Chair of Racing Australia, & John Messara AM, former Chair of Racing Australia.