Melissa Ware

Melissa

Melissa is the General Manager – Equine Welfare at Racing Victoria, where she leads the delivery of the organisation’s comprehensive five‑year equine welfare strategic plan, launched in 2023. In this role, she oversees key initiatives designed to enhance the safety, wellbeing, and life‑cycle management of Thoroughbreds across the Victorian racing industry.

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Before joining Racing Victoria in 2019, Melissa held a variety of roles across the racing sector, bringing extensive hands‑on and administrative experience to her leadership. Her previous positions include Race Day Judge at Racing South Australia, management of South Australia’s Owners and Breeders Incentive Program, and Sponsorship Account Manager roles with both the Melbourne Racing Club and Tabcorp. These diverse roles have equipped her with a deep understanding of racing operations, stakeholder engagement, and industry development.

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Melissa holds a Bachelor of Management (Marketing) and a Master of Business (Sport Management) from Deakin University, combining formal business training with her long‑standing commitment to equine welfare.

Her passion for horses extends well beyond her professional life. Melissa is the proud owner of Abate, an Off The Track Thoroughbred, and remains deeply connected to the horses whose wellbeing she works to champion every day.

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Session Details

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Join Melissa for an insightful overview of the work undertaken by Racing Victoria’s Equine Welfare Team to support the long‑term wellbeing and retraining of retired Thoroughbred racehorses. This session will explore the key initiatives within Racing Victoria’s equine welfare strategy, including:

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• Post‑Racing Programs designed to assist horses transitioning into new careers.

• Incentives and opportunities for Off The Track (OTT) owners, helping riders confidently engage with and develop retired racehorses.

• Racing Victoria’s growing Off The Track Community Platform, a central hub connecting owners, riders, educators, and support services.

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Whether you're involved in retraining, coaching, horse selection, or equine welfare, this session will provide valuable insights into the programs, pathways, and support systems that help retired racehorses thrive beyond the track.