Keely Rayson has started in her new role as Racing SA Equine Welfare Coordinator to assist in the delivery of best practice equine welfare standards across the South Australian Thoroughbred Racing Industry.
Keely’s genuine love and care for Thoroughbreds shone through during her time working as a Cadet Steward.
“I’m extremely passionate about welfare. It’s something that in my time as a Steward was really at the forefront of my mind” she said.
“The chance to focus on equine welfare is an opportunity I didn’t think would come up so soon, so for this position to become available I’m really excited to get started and get straight into it.
“I have a strong family connection to racing, and a background in equestrian sports so a love of Thoroughbreds has always been there. Working with a number of welfare organisations is something I’m excited about, and it is going to be great to learn more and work closely with John.”
The welfare position opened up when John Cornell was promoted to Racing SA Industry Operations Manager.
Along with her seven months as a Cadet Steward at Racing SA, and even longer as a casual Deputy Steward, Keely also has experience working as a Barn Manager at Mulawa Performance Horses in Sydney.
“I spent seven months in 2021 at the Sydney stables working for some of the best dressage riders in Australia in Riley Alexander and John Thompson, so learning from them was amazing and the world class standards that they operate under was great to experience too.
“At Mulawa Performance Horses I learnt everything about looking after performance horses, training them and the methods that they use. The Barn Manager role wasn’t initially what I went over there for. I had planned to be a groom for three months but my little stint just kept going.
“With the covid restrictions the borders closed so I was a bit stuck there but it ended up opening an opportunity where I was running the barn, creating staff rosters, organising schedules for horses, managing their activities and everything along those lines.”
Keely’s family interest in horses goes back generations. Her great-grandparents bred Thoroughbreds and raced them, and Keely started to ride when she was 13, going onto compete at Nationals for Show Horses.
Her thorough understanding of the industry is why Cornell is so pleased she’s joined the welfare team.
“We are really looking forward to have Keely as part of the welfare department to continue the good work we’ve started, and I know that she will be a great fit for us,” he said.
“Anything that involves the welfare of our horses Keely will be first and foremost leading our team. She also knows how the system works in regards to all of our mandatory reporting that needs to be done by our participants, and she will build on the already strong connections she has.
“Keely will oversee and help with all of our welfare initiatives including our assistance packages, sponsorship agreements, and our work with welfare organisations.”
To get in touch contact 08 8179 9885 or equinewelfare@racingsa.com.au
