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22.
Unprecedented southern
stallion migration
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18/7/2003 |
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More
than 70 international thoroughbred stallions conservatively valued at US$500
million will arrive in Australia from Ireland, England, France, Germany, Japan
and North America from July 26 in an unprecedented southern migration.
“The international thoroughbred industry now recognizes that nowhere else in
the world is there such a phenomenal movement of stallions to one country each
year, and that Australia is the second biggest thoroughbred breeding industry
after North America, accounting for 17 per cent of the world’s annual foal
crop,” said Aushorse spokeswoman Bronwyn Farr.
“Logistically, it is quite some feat to co-ordinate the movement of stallions
from so many sources to stand at studs throughout Australia, keeping in mind
varying quarantine regulations,” she said. “Australia is home to a wider
range of stallions than anywhere else in the world, and this attracts an
increasing number of international purchasers to our yearling sales where they
recognize they can acquire world-class horses at very competitive prices,” she
said.
“Obviously, Royal Ascot winner and July Cup placegetter Choisir, who cost
$55,000 and is by shuttle stallion Danehill Dancer, has been a fantastic
flagship for our industry.”
Dual hemisphere, or “shuttle” stallions complete northern hemisphere stud
duties from mid-February to late June before entering quarantine. Their flights
are usually around 26 hours and they enter quarantine for a further period in
Australia before serving barns at Australian studs open their doors for the
season, from September 1 to Christmas Day.
Stallions stand and a wide number of Australian farms as well as major
international studs with Australian arms, such as Darley, which has invested
significantly in the Australian industry. "This year we have nine stallions
shuttling to Australia, from England, Ireland and America. The quality of
stallions that come here, coupled with the locals, gives Australians probably
the best choice of stallions in the world," said Darley’s Oliver Tait.
“There is no other thoroughbred travel situation that comes anywhere near the
Australasian shuttle influx,” said International Racehorse Transport Managing
Director Quentin Wallace, who will co-ordinate several flights from Louisville,
Los Angeles, Sapporo, Shannon in Ireland and Heathrow in London.
“We only have a short time frame to do this because there is only a brief
window from when the northern breeding season ends and the southern season
begins, and it is further complicated because we try to split the horses from
Japan, Europe and the US into separate groups,” he said. “In addition
security is much tighter than ever before, and quarantine is stringent.”
Of course, there is a massive concentration of testosterone mid-air, but Wallace
said “equine air rage” incidents were rare. “So far, touch wood, we’ve
had only modest difficulties, but we have extremely experienced veterinarians
and professional grooms who fly constantly with the horses, as well as the
stallions’ own stud grooms, who will remain with the horse for the season,”
he said. Wallace added that international farms with Australian arms such as
Coolmore Australia, which will bring in some 25 sires this spring, had a
finely-tuned approach to the exercise.
Some stallions have daunting reputations for fieriness, but Wallace is not
worried. “You can never tell which one is going to have a bad day. And we’ll
handle it,” he remarked.
Wallace pointed out the shuttle phenomenon began in the 1970s when two or three
stallions were sent Down Under. “I think it has been so successful because
Australia has such a vibrant racing scene, and I believe that the horses we
breed here in Australia are tougher than anywhere else in the world,” he said.
Australia’s broad-acre farming, moderate climate and vast spaces result in
lower comparative production costs and enable thoroughbred youngsters to grow
and develop strong limbs roaming paddocks rather than being stabled, as is often
the case in Europe and the US.
Australia has a per capita higher ownership of racehorses than anywhere in the
world and more racecourses per capita than any other country. Hong Kong is a
significant export market, accounting for about 13 per cent of gross receipts.
Australian-bred horses make up one-third of the total horse population in Hong
Kong but win almost half of all races in Hong Kong, with stars including horse
of the year Grand Delight.
In 2002, a total of 995 stallions covered 24,892 mares, with 17,341 foals born.
A total of 2,350 horses were sold at major Australian sales at an average price
of $A62,111 with three yearlings fetching $A1 million or more.
For more information:-
Bronwyn Farr, Aushorse marketing and media officer: 0417 680 553
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