Horse Racing
22 February, 2026
Horsham business the inside runner on track safety
A product conceived in Horsham is now significantly boosting safety at racecourses across New South Wales.
In a major infrastructure upgrade, Barriers Australia is in the final stages of supplying and installing the company's PVC running rail under contract to Racing NSW.
“The $5.4 million project to install PVC running rails at NSW country racecourses commenced in October 2024," Racing NSW chairman Dr Saranne Cooke said.
"A total of 88 tracks have been receiving new PVC running rails: a total of 163km installed such that all NSW racecourses, including the 60 picnic and community racecourses, will have this vital safety upgrade."
Barriers Australia director Anthony Schache said Racing NSW, in conjunction with Racing NSW Country, had worked closely his business during the rollout.
Racing NSW Country senior executive Michael Buckley described the Horsham operation as "one of three key manufacturers" and said it was helping to deliver the product to a majority of the 88 racetracks.
"The key safety aspect of the Barriers Australia PVC running rail is the breakaway fuse that allows the rail to break if a jockey is dislodged from the horse and hits the rail," Mr Buckley said.
"The independently tested breakaway fuse is the safest system on the market for PVC running rail.
"Adaptable for both moveable and fixed-position running rail, the invention significantly improves the safety for both horse and jockey compared to metal running rail."
Mr Schache said his longstanding interest in racing made him particularly proud to have Barriers Australia take a lead in the project.
“I’ve always loved and been involved in the racing industry at every level so when the opportunity arose, it was a natural fit," he said.
"It took a little while to get to market and gain traction but our product is now widespread throughout the Australian racing industry, as well as with private trainers."
Mr Schache said his team had supplied its rail to "many tracks, including Godolphin and Chris Waller’s private training tracks, which is terrific acknowledgement of our running rail”.
The Racing NSW rollout is the biggest of its kind yet seen in Australia, representing a major investment by the NSW racing Industry in participant safety in the sport.
"It's significantly transformed community and remote club tracks into the safest racetracks in Australia," Mr Schache said.
The Barriers Australia director praised the investment being made by Racing NSW, saying it had "led the way in safety".
“The safety aspects of our rail contribute to significant safety improvements in racing and it was really satisfying to have received the bulk of the tracks for the current rollout," he said.
"We imported more than 70 containers last year and the orders have been flowing quite well this year already.
"I'm pleased that in regional areas such as Horsham we're able to make such a substantial contribution in improving participant safety in the Australian racing industry."
