Knight’s Choice ridden by Robbie Dolan winning the 2024 Melbourne Cup, Photo Credit: Racing Photos (photo permission given by Racing Victoria)
Racing Victoria engages Equine MediRecord to deploy equine welfare platform for the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival
EMR Release
MELBOURNE, Australia – Irish-based Equine MediRecord (EMR) will again supply Racing Victoria with their equine welfare software platform for all horses racing in the three largest races in the Spring Racing Carnival, the Melbourne Cup (3200m), Cox Plate (2040m) and Caulfield Cup (2400m) in 2025.
The agreement will include a version of the EMR platform to assist both the domestic Australian horses running in these races and the international competitors by allowing the trainers and veterinarians responsible to conveniently use the system to satisfy the carnival’s veterinary protocols.
The platform was successfully introduced by Racing Victoria among its veterinary protocols during the 2024 Spring Racing Carnival and used again in 2025 in the lead up to leading autumn two-year-old races, the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) and The Showdown (1200m).
An enhanced version of the system that EMR has developed for the 2025 Spring Racing Carnival will automatically inform trainers from across the world of the safety and integrity regulations that need to be followed and what documents need to be submitted through the system to allow horses to compete at the Carnival.
The platform will support the highly prestigious Group 1 Melbourne Cup, the richest two-mile handicap in the world. The EMR platform allows for the full veterinary history of the horse to be recorded securely, ensuring the best possible horse welfare by aiding with veterinary protocol adherence.
The platform will provide all trainers and vets with a system to comply with the latest integrity and equine welfare measures and will allow all information to be collected digitally. The integrity of this information will be ensured using the EMR system and its algorithms, guaranteeing compliance for all horses who participate before they race.
The EMR platform has gained extensive international traction after its launch just a few years ago, having already amassed an impressive list of clients and users including the Saudi Cup, the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, the British Horseracing Authority, Thoroughbred Owners of California, Kentucky Thoroughbred Association, the Arabian Racing Organisation, Pegasus World Cup and Preakness Stakes. In 2022, Equine MediRecord received a multi million-dollar investment from Merits Holdings to become part of their Business Infusions group, the largest equine veterinary software group in the world.
Once records are entered into the EMR system, they cannot be altered, ensuring integrity and transparency for all concerned. Racing Victoria continues to be a world leader in devising and adopting best welfare and integrity protocols. With the sport and its integrity in the spotlight, the Irish innovation will be an attractive option for top racing organisations who are looking to ensure best possible welfare and integrity practices for the horses in their care.
Jamie Stier, Racing Victoria Executive General Manager – Integrity Services said “Equine MediRecord has built a strong reputation globally and we are pleased to offer an enhanced version of the platform to participants completing our veterinary protocols to compete in the 2025 Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup to enhance and streamline their experience”
Pierce Dargan, Chief Executive Officer of Equine MediRecord said “We are thrilled about our agreement with Racing Victoria and doing all we can to help again ensure that the best horse welfare and transparency protocols are followed. We are excited to deploy a new version of our Equine MediRecord system with the support of Racing Victoria which will combine pre-travel and pre-race equine welfare protocols into the one system. We hope our work with Racing Victoria will drive adoption of our system by more equine events across Australia who want to ensure the best equine welfare and anti-doping protocols are being followed at their events.”
For more on Equine MediRecord, visit www.equinemedirecord.com.
