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Last Update Thursday, 13 March 2003

Presidents Occasional Reports

Richard Turnley  TBA President

I have headed this report as occasional deliberately so that no one will be under false impression that I will be contributing on a regular weekly basis but rather when issues arise or time permits.

12/03/2003  

The 29th Asian Racing Conference took place in Auckland, New Zealand between the 1st and 6th March 2003 with a full array of racing, social events, meetings, conference papers and discussions conducted in a good atmosphere. The conference was extremely well organised and administered, and it would have been most difficult for anyone who attended not to have left with a greater understanding of the racing and breeding industry throughout the region and the world. Well done, New Zealand.

There were some quite outstanding papers delivered, most with all the technical communication aids that appear on screens as graphs, slides, flow charts, photographs and so on, but it may be unfair if I singled these out.

Instead, I would like to concentrate on three areas of great concern to the breeding industry in Australia that were widely discussed at the conference.

The first is the subject of betting exchanges and internet betting that has the potential to destroy racing in the Pacific and Asian region by operating without returning funds to the industry as do the legal totes. Almost four years ago, at a previous ARF meeting, a professional punter from Holland actually gave a demonstration on how he bet on line and at the meeting all the heavies in racing administration were present and everyone saw the potential problems ahead.

At the Auckland meeting it became quite apparent that next to nothing has been done to counter the internet betting and in fact the delegate from the International Federation of Horse Associations said they would appoint someone in Paris with a budget of US$75000 to deal with the problem next month and lawyers said they would seek uniform legislation to ban the exchanges and introduce a good neighbour policy. Yes, prohibition. I met no one who was not aghast at the ineptitude and tardiness of the official response to the problem. Currently the threat is from people whom, at least, superficially seem most pleasant but the prospect of quick easy money will soon attract criminal elements who will totally disregard any laws. These people have to be beaten at their own game through commercial and technological supremacy.

The second point is that an administrative nightmare is unfolding with the thoroughbred industry witnessing the biggest growth area in the world … racing administration. It is displaying a great example of negative correlation because as the number of runners decreases, so does the cost of administration increases. At present, working the way up the tree, there is the club administration, then often the rural or provincial administration, then the state administration as in the principal clubs, then the national administration as in the Australian Racing Board, then the Asian Racing Federation and finally the IFHA in Paris. All are trying to justify their existence with endless committees and in the end what is being achieved apart from spending money that should be put into prize money or research? Just to give an example, a charming young lady representing the Equine Pharmaceutical Industry informed the meeting that the Australian Rules of Racing had been altered so that some worming pastes and anti-biotics were no longer prohibited substances. To which a gentleman from England tore his hair out because the ARB did not have permission from Europe. And who was supposed to safeguard our industry from the betting exchanges and other internet betting shops. All talk and little action between the layer upon layer of administration is now stifling the industry so that speed in decision making and implementation is quite impossible.

Needless to say some people thrive in tripping around the region and the world and seek to not only perpetuate their current activities but to increase them no matter if the results of their deliberations have no benefit.

The third area of concern is also obvious to see. For many decades Australian breeders have imported high class breeding stock from England, Europe and the USA to augment the champions that have been retired from the Australian turf. This importation of quality blood stock accelerated from 1991 with the introduction of dual hemisphere horses and Australia has been standing racing and breeding champions from America, Ireland, England and France which have achieved success in roughly the same the ratio as locally bred stallions. At the same time racecourses have been maintained at high levels and the sport has achieved a popularity that the Europeans can only dream of. Our best races as set out in the Group and Listed Races listings are compiled on criteria and ratios far more conservative and demanding than those in the northern hemisphere. So with pedigrees, racecourses, prize money, trainers and jockeys that are at least the equivalent to those in Northern Hemisphere, there is no logical reason why Australian racing should not be considered to be in the top drawer.

However, one of these new committees that have been formed in the administrative layers is producing international classifications of racehorses that denigrate the Australian thoroughbred industry to such an extent that it looks second class to those in Europe. The breeders, the owners and the sales companies are most concerned at how our elite horses are being treated in the classifications and the question that I asked at Auckland is whether it is worthwhile being in a system that gives us only nominal or token acknowledgement. The only blessing is that in a room of about 200 to 300 racing people only five had looked at the classifications which may indicate the interest that is in them but nevertheless they are their in black and white downgrading the Australian industry.

For many years, most Australians have quietly endured the condescending and patronising attitudes of some European racing officials whom I suppose genuinely believe that their horses and pattern races are better than ours, notwithstanding the lack of any evidence. This is the first time that they have sought to quantify their attitudes in ratings and at the Auckland meeting I recommended that unless the Australian horses and races were adequately recognised Australia should not be part of the ratings.

The answer from the Europeans and I include Hong Kong is probably that Australian horses will have to participate internationally a lot more to receive better ratings but why should they just to satisfy a group of handicappers when there are adequate races at home. The evidence of equality can still be assessed.

I know that I have full support from most racing people in Australia and the region on this subject and I can only repeat that it is far better for us to be solely part of the ANZ ratings where 99.9 % of our horses race than be part of an international model that will not properly recognise us.

12/03/2003  

The Asian Racing Conference in Auckland was attended by racing officials, owners and breeders from more than 28 countries, and the 5 or 6 days were packed with interest.

I am glad to say that the TBA stand in the conference hotel that was prepared and manned by our secretary, James Peters, and which was jammed full of brochures from organisations and associations within the Australian thoroughbred industry was constantly busy. Tons of brochures, papers, guides and magazines were distributed to delegates and I am sure that everyone who sent material to the TBA for the stand would have been delighted at the response.

The New Zealand and the Irish Thoroughbred Marketing Boards also had stands, which were popular with the delegates. It is always difficult to know what will be the top seller, because in Bangkok two years ago, it was the big photos of a stallion, where as in Auckland several booklets were on demand.

The next conference will be in Korea in 2005, God willing, and of course we will be there also.

Richard Turnley
10th March 2003

25/02/2003  

The founder of Newhaven Park Stud, Boorowa NSW, John William Kelly, has died at the age of 86 and with this death the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry has lost one of it's last post war heroes. In the beautiful rolling countryside of the southern slopes of NSW, between Boorowa and Cowra, John Kelly built a thoroughbred stud that was to become the equal of any in Australia. The concentration was on quality bloodstock and animal care and not on pretentious infrastructure. The results were outstanding both in the sales rings and on the track.

John Kelly served on the committees of the NSW Bloodhorse Breeders Association where he was Treasurer and also on the Australian Bloodhorse Breeders Association.

For most breeders, the memory of John Kelly is associated in two ways. Firstly he is remembered in connection with the two great stallions, Wilkes and Luskin Star which stood at Newhaven, although there were other great horses at the stud. Secondly, he is remembered sitting behind the auctioneer's right shoulder at the Inglis Sydney sales, always dressed in coat, collar, tie and clean boots, assessing every horse as it entered the ring and writing the price and comments in his catalogue.

In his later years, John Kelly suffered from ill health and was not often seen. I only knew John Kelly in the last 35 years of his life, having purchased several fillies from his drafts and later on Victory Prince by Imperial Prince who stood at Newhaven from the great Newhaven Valour family. After Victory prince had sired Tierce, which later went to stand at stud at Newhaven, John Kelly came and visited Victory Prince at Sutton Forest and we got to know each other better.

A full obituary will appear in the TBNSW Update and the web sites next month.

Rest eternal. And may light perpetual shine upon him.

Richard Turnley

President

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

In recent days there have been several reports that overseas buyers coming to Australia, are unable to keep their yearlings that they have purchased GST free in Australia for more than 60 days. In most cases this is not correct. In fact, by applying to the Australian Taxation Office and receiving a GST number, not only will the overseas buyers have the GST on their purchases refunded, but they will also have all their GST on agistment, veterinary bills, handling costs and floating refunded. Further more, the horses can stay in Australia for an indefinite period so they can be fully mature and broken in when they leave to their racing country.

The process is very simple. The overseas buyer can personally apply, or can use an agent to apply to the ATO for a GST registration number. Evidence must be provided to satisfy the enterprise test, that is part of the GST Act, such as a copy of a certificate of registration, or whatever the ATO requires, and either the agent or the overseas buyer must have a bank account in Australia.

The Australian Taxation Office has recently further improved it's service, by agreeing that a statement from the revenue authority in the home country certifying the status of the non resident will be sufficient. The Australian Taxation Office has had officers on the Gold Coast at the Magic Million Sale to assist the process, and they have indicated that they will have officers at other sales.

There are still a few problems in relation to those buyers who can not meet the enterprise test, but talks are continuing to overcome these problems in time for the sales in Adelaide and Perth. These mainly relate to individual purchasers from Asia. Buyers from New Zealand normally ship their purchases back home within the 60 days GST free period.

Compared to other countries the GST in Australia is still very new and the Thoroughbred Breeding Industry and the Australian Taxation Office are working together to ensure that the GST Act is complied with, but in a way that assists our export market.

As agents, buyers and breeders become more familiar with the process there will be fewer problems. The simple rule is that overseas buyers should register for GST and they will find then that Australia is the best place to buy thoroughbreds.


Richard Turnley
President
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

 2002 IN REVIEW

10/12/2002   

2002 started well for most thoroughbred breeders in Australia as they saw most yearling sales at least hold steady if not increase on the prices of the previous years and the continuing increases in prize money on the racetracks help demand for horses be maintained.

Most breeders have now worked out for themselves that the shuttle stallions from the northern hemisphere have just as much chance as failing as the Australian horses and that there is a lot more in financially sound mating than merely visiting an overseas stallion. The sad story was that Danehill did not return to Australia, which is the country that has established him as a mega star. It is some consolation that he has numerous sons standing at stud throughout Australia.

Australia is the second largest racing country in the world and the vast majority of the annual production races in the home country. Over the past 15 years or so hundreds of millions of dollars have been spent by Australian breeders importing mares from some of the best thoroughbred families in the USA, Ireland and England and there is no doubt that the quality of our blood stock has been enhanced. Nevertheless it is interesting to note that the majority of the group winners in Australia still carry the wonderful blood of past Australian champion stallions and especially Star Kingdom.

It is not surprising that with the huge range of quality mares and with champions of the turf from Europe, the United Kingdom, the USA and from Australia now standing in Australia the demand for Australian horses from overseas buyers has increased. There is no country in the world that can offer such a diverse range of quality yearlings.

The TBA has been working with the Australian Taxation Office and the Treasury to make the recently introduced GST regulations easier for overseas buyers to comply with. We still have some way to go before we can say that we can be happy that the interpretation of the act is neutral to overseas sales.

The TBA also played a major part in preventing the outbreak of Viral Abortion that occurred early in the stud season becoming more of a disaster. The press, radio and television all helped us in spreading the message quickly that there was an urgent need for sound isolation policies on studs and that pregnant mares should be foaled down at home where ever possible.

The TBA has been pleased to play it’s part through out the year with racing and veterinary authorities as well as with the auction houses. Procedures relating to the X raying of yearlings at sales were worked out and have already been tried at the ready to run sales. The cost of the x-rays will be met by breeders.

The TBA has two representatives on the Australian Group and Listed Races Committee and this committee met twice during the year. Australia is the only country where the background, criteria and guidelines for the black type races are fully disclosed on the ARB web site and in a publication.

During the year the TBA welcomed and hosted many people from overseas the latest delegation being from South Korea. Thanks go to the studs and race clubs for their assistance.

The TBA web site continues to grow in popularity and in the number of hits and is accessed by people from around the world. Because we maintain our independence we do not feature in some of the closed awards but it is generally considered that the Australian site is world class.

Finally, from the start of the breeding season to the present time the drought has relentlessly tightened it’s grip on most thoroughbred areas though out Australia. It is highly likely that the 2003 foal crop will be at least 15% less than this year as breeders elect not to mate or mares decide not to carry their pregnancy to full term. The impact on this drought will be felt for many years and will flow through to the racing industry. The Board of the TBA can do little to assist in a practical sense those breeders who are suffering in the conditions but our hopes and prayers are for good rains in the near future.

May Christmas and the New Year bring peace to us.

Richard Turnley

10^th December 2002

 AUSTRALIA PRAYS FOR RAIN

09/12/2002   

No one living in the eastern states of Australia has seen anything like the widespread drought that has now established itself in nearly every corner of Queensland, NSW and Victoria. West of the Great Dividing Range the pastures have been totally devastated and thousands of native animals and birds together with cattle and sheep have perished from the lack of feed and water. Graziers have been forced to slaughter their breeding stock that have been accumulated over decades and the grain production this year will decline by over 57% from the previous year. All thoroughbred breeders have already been affected by the drought as feed prices skyrocket and water becomes scarce. Mercifully parts of South Australia and Western Australia have been spared and huge shipments of oats from Western Australia at unheard of prices are keeping many studs and trainers going for the time being.

In NSW the big dry has led to a massive outbreak of bush fires along the ranges ranging from the Hunter Valley to the Bega Valley. On some days there are over 80 fires burning out of control.

It is a desperate time but we are most fortunate that the terrible loss of life that has been caused by the long drought throughout Africa has not occurred in Australia. Nevertheless it is a time to reflect and to hope and pray that rain will soon arrive and prevent further suffering to so many country people and livestock who suffer enough in the changing economic environment.

Richard Turnley

9^th December 2002

Unlike England, Ireland and New Zealand we have had a GST or VAT in Australia for only a very few years and at present the thoroughbred breeding industry is having a few difficulties in making the GST act export friendly. I believe that the situation was the same in New Zealand when their GST act was introduced and that in order to make the act work there was a need to make what can be called variations on a theme. In Australia we will get it all working well fairly soon but it may need a few meetings between breeders and the Tax Office and Treasury in the mean time. The results of our latest meeting are in the latest news section of this site and I would recommend that they be read.

Richard Turnley

20 July 2002

Australian breeders who are registered for GST recently received a flyer from the Australian Taxation Office in their mail entitled GST and Horse Exports and probably almost keeled over at some of the statements in the flyer. The requirements set out in the flyer are completely contrary to the procedures that have been agreed to between the industry and the ATO. Many of the requirements have been made retrospectively and breeders will have no chance of meeting them. In addition the procedures that were only agreed to in March 2002 have already been altered and the procedure for dealing with GST pre 25^th March 2002 are entirely different to the procedures post 25^th March.

One of the most amazing statements that is made is that horses that have been broken in prior to export are liable for GST . This statement is made although there is a draft ruling and a letter to the Australian Racing Board that breaking in is necessary as a pre export function prior to export to most Asian countries. As everyone knows most Asian countries will not take a horse until it has matured and is broken in.

The TBA and Aushorse have written to the ATO complaining in the strongest terms about the statements in the flyer, the retrospective nature of the requirements and the mishandling of the issue of GST and horse exports.

In addition the two associations will be seeking to meet urgently with the Treasurer and the Minister for Trade in Canberra in order to resolve this issue. It is totally frustrating for breeders and agents and can very easily be resolved by common sense. Any progress on the issue will be placed immediately on this website

 Professor Rose Stands Down (a bit)                                            04/03/2002

Professor Reuben Rose has been the Programme Manager of the Equine Research and Development Programme in Australia since 1995, but recently announced that he would be standing down from that position, although he would continue on the committee for a time to enable a smooth transfer to his successor to take place. 

At a function held last week at Sydney University, Reuben gave a frank speech about his role in the R and D programme, and I could not help but think how good he is at motivating right to the end. He said quite sincerely that he took the job because he thought he was the best for it and I agree. Right from the start this programme could have gone off the rails as various self interested bodies thought to have the research facility at inappropriate locations. Research in this area is undertaken by academics and these are found at universities and the centre of the equine research and development had to be around universities....Reuben made sure of that . The programme has been a triumph especially in view of the limited funding available and in his speech he mentioned his disappointment that the horse shoe levy has not yet eventuated. The thoroughbred industry fully supports the levy but the other breeds are less enthusiastic.

There were a good number of veterinarians on hand to say good bye including John Bourke who is also standing down from the committee, his place to be taken by Craig Suann. John was the VRC veterinary steward for as long as most of us can remember and Craig is the NSW TRB veterinarian. Australia is most fortunate that is has produced so many wonderful equine veterinarians who are also such decent people and who have done so much to advance the wellbeing of horses both in this country and abroad. Even when they retire or partially retire they seem to be around to help... Reben Rose is much too young to do that but he has already etched his name with the greats in this wonderful profession.
 
Richard Turnley 

4th March 2002

So Who Has Been Breeding All The Good Winners ?                         27/06/2001

Australia takes great pride in its black type races and for many years there has been a policy of quality before quantity. We keep our group and listed races to under 4% of the total TAB races in Australia and under 3% of the total races in Australia. There are minimum prize money levels for the four grades of black type and these minimums are regularly adjusted so that they do not fall behind those in the Northern Hemisphere. By contrast, many of the European countries and New Zealand have 5% or more of their races as black type and their prizemoney does not always dignify the prestige of a black type race.

So when a horse wins an Australian Group or Listed Race you can be certain that it has won a really high class race and the horse is something special. AUSTRALIAN BLACK TYPE COUNTS

All the Group 1 and Group 2 races have been run this season and Australian Breeders bred 82% of the winners and New Zealand breeders bred the other 18%. This was a great achievement and goes to show the great underlying strength of the Australian breeding industry which has always upgraded it's bloodstock through its mare band and it's diverse range of champion stallions.

TBA is very proud that 75% of the winning horses that were bred in Australia were bred by TBA members,YES Three in every four were bred by our members. If want to bet with the odds buy from the members of the official state associations. We will publishing the list of the successful breeders very soon and will be publishing the analysis of the Australian Group 3 races which we feel sure will emphasise even further the strength of the TBA breeders. It has been very interesting to note that the only large stud to breed a Group 1 or Group 2 winner was Woodlands Stud...... but we will also be printing soon the successful stallions so that the big studs can also share in the glory.

Australian Breeders Give The Racing Board Support   06/06/2001

The Australian Racing Board is seeking to have the Interactive Gambling Bill amended so that it excludes wagering. Thoroughbred Breeders Australia supports the Racing Board 100% in their efforts and strongly urges all members to get in touch with their local members, especially if they are resident outside the metropolitan areas.

Wagering on the gallops or the other two codes is entirely different to gaming on the pokies and this very obvious fact seems not to be understood by the government in Canberra. There is little doubt that the 900% increase in gaming (on pokies, tables etc) over the past 25 years has led to social problems and some legislation is needed but wagering turnover (on gallops etc) has actually DECLINED by 10.8 % over the same period.

Wagering on the internet is merely an alternative to telephone betting and apart from being a great advancement in technology and a boom for those who by choice or necessity must follow the races on the TV at home, it is the life blood for the entire industry.

The Thoroughbred industry in Australia is one of the truly great industries especially in economic and social terms. It provides employment to many people who may have trouble gaining employment in this age of computers and it provides employment in geographical areas where jobs are very difficult to find. The industry redistributes income from the well off to the not so well off in such an efficient way that politicians from all parties should give it full support. No other industry can attract wealthy people to breed and race thoroughbreds at huge cost and so provide countless jobs to feed suppliers, merchants, farriers, float companies, farm hands, racecourse hands and so on. In addition, the government does not have to tax, subsidise, or administer this great change over of money from the city rich to the country poor.

However, the industry must have income to provide proper prizemoney for the owners and to keep the system going and that income comes from the wagering on the races. That is why it is vital for Australia to differentiate between gambling on the pokies and putting a wager on a selected horse.

The TBA implores the government not to handicap our great industry.

X-Rays, Scopes, Heart Rates, Etc  23/05/2001

During the Easter yearling sale there was considerable discussion as to whether vendors should agree to the conditions imposed by several purchasers that any yearling purchased by them would be conditional upon an x-ray examination not indicating any problems in one or more joints. Some vendors agreed and others did not. The discussion has been raised again after a letter by a prominent Melbourne trainer to "The Australian" suggested that he would now only buy from the paddock. 

The subject of x-rays and sales conditions has been discussed by the TBA Board and before we make any comment on the subject we will be examining the sales conditions in the other overseas markets and will be discussing the subject with the two major sales companies. We do not believe that compulsory x-rays are necessarily the right way to go. The one factor that has been overlooked in the discussion is that commercial breeders , whether large or small know how important it is to maintain a good reputation for selling sound animals..... nearly all are in the breeding game for the long haul and a quick profit on an unsound horse is seen to be of no advantage.

Import Ban Lifted But With Conditions    19/05/2001

Stringent New Arrangements For Horse Imports

Stringent new arrangements that will enable thoroughbreds and other horses to be safely imported into Australia from foot and mouth disease (FMD) countries were announced today by Biosecurity Australia.

At the beginning of the foot and mouth outbreak in the United Kingdom and Europe, a commitment was made to review Australia's temporary suspension of imports of potential FMD risk animals and products.

In light of community and industry concern over the importation of horses, a thorough examination of the risks has been undertaken in consultation with the Australian horse industry, veterinary authorities and other stakeholders.

Imports can safely be allowed under a series of stringent conditions that will maintain Australia's disease freedom.

The new arrangements are interim only and take effect immediately. They mean horses can be imported from the United Kingdom and the rest of the European Union under existing protocols, providing:

& the horses spend the mandatory three-week pre-export quarantine (PEQ) period at an approved quarantine facility in a country that does not currently have a significant FMD outbreak;

& no FMD-susceptible species have been permitted in the quarantine premises for 28 days before the quarantine period begins;

& the PEQ premises must be at least 10 kilometres from an FMD infected property. (This distance is a minimum, and indicative only. It may be changed if circumstances require);

& at the importer's expense, an Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS) veterinarian has inspected, approved and audited the PEQ facility and has supervised the disinfection of horses, equipment and transport;

& the horses are transported to and from the quarantine premises in vehicles that have been cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the AQIS veterinarian;

& the horses - including their coats and hooves - and associated equipment are cleaned and disinfected to the satisfaction of the AQIS veterinarian;

& any personnel accompanying the horses may bring only clean, laundered clothing with them to Australia, with their footwear to be inspected, cleaned and disinfected when the horses arrive for the mandatory two-week post-entry quarantine at a government quarantine station; and

& all horses and equipment are cleaned and disinfected on arrival, and personnel accompanying horses do not wear any work clothing or shoes when leaving the quarantine station.

Because England, Scotland and Wales have current major outbreaks of FMD, horses from those countries will need to undergo PEQ in another country, at this stage.

The new conditions will be reviewed progressively and modified as necessary to reflect changed circumstances and to ensure the quarantine risks are addressed, while at the same time minimising the impact on the horse industries.

Although horses can not contract FMD they can potentially carry the virus on their coats or hooves.

The new arrangements are consistent with the strict quarantine protocols that have kept Australia free from FMD for almost 130 years, and meet all scientifically based concerns over the potential transport of the FMD virus.

Simon Brady, Biosecurity Australia Media Liaison (02) 6272 381

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Press Release         Thursday 17th of May 2001

I am very relieved that the ban on horses entering Australia has been conditionally lifted so that the importation of outstanding overseas bloodstock can recommence and Australia can continue to be one of the world's great producers of quality racehorses. Australia is most fortunate that it has the best quarantine system in the world and that it has first class veterinary officers. Thoroughbred Breeders Australia sought and received scientific and veterinary advice through out the crisis in Europe and had totally satisfied itself that there was no evidence that the foot and mouth disease could be introduced into Australia from horses coming into Australia with the existing quarantine procedures in place. If the TBA had even the slightest misgivings, it would have supported the bans although these would have brought economic disaster to the industry in the short and medium term. However all advice was that there was no risk. The TBA fully understood that it was necessary for the government and for other primary industry associations to be equally confident that the importation of horses under the strict Australian regulations would not be the cause of any introduction of FMD into Australia. We very much welcome the conditional lifting of these bans.  It has been stated that the conditions still may lead to some UK racehorses not coming to the Melbourne Spring Carnival, and the TBA strongly supports the Australian Racing Board in their negotiations to have this situation resolved speedily. 

Foot And Mouth Disease    09/03/2001

There has been a large number of reports and discussions in the Australian press and on the wireless and TV with a good amount of it being presented in sensational form. Over the past month I have received advice from various governmental bodies in Australia as well as copies of advice and various protocols from England. The position is that, I have been advised, that the quarantine procedures already in place in Australia would prevent any horse imported into Australia from introducing the virus into this country. As has been often pointed out ,horses can not themselves be infected by the disease but can be a carrier of the virus in exactly the same way as a human can be a carrier via boots and clothing etc. or a car tyre can be a carrier or a saddle can be a carrier. There is just as much risk, if not more, from humans entering this country from the EU and not being subject to quarantine regulations and carrying some infected material.

We can not live in a cocoon but at the same time we must be certain that the advice is accurate and that there can be no possible way that any procedures can break down. During a meeting of the TBNSW, the committee was quite adamant that they would support any restrictions that were put in place to protect the cattle and sheep industry that are, of course, often conducted in the same location as our thoroughbred studs. 


I can only repeat that the advice that I have been given is that the current quarantine procedures are the proper ones to prevent a horse introducing the virus into Australia and a breakdown in the procedures would be the only concern ( as far as horses are concerned)

Easter Showcase Released     28/02/2001

The Easter Yearling Sale is the most prestigious yearling sale in Australasia with a superb collection of thoroughbred yearlings by both Australian ,New Zealand and Northern Hemisphere stallions and from our best families. There is a large number of vendors so that buyers have the opportunity to select at their whim.
During this period the Australian Jockey Club conducts 3 consecutive Saturdays of outstanding Black type racing and there is a full Calender of social events. Catalogues are now available from the auctioneers, William Inglis and Son 0293997999.

Breeders Support The Australian Stud Book    28/02/2001

During the year 2000, the Keeper of the Australian Stud Book, John Digby, consulted with many breeders about the increasing problem of foals being born prior to the 1st August and the temptations put in front of breeders to falsely declare the birth date. In a great display of unity the Australian Racing Board, The Australian Stud Book and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia all agreed that the most logical solution to the problem was to change the critical date from the birth date to the conception date by altering the rules of racing and the Stud Book regulations to state that the age of a horse shall be reckoned from the 1st August in the year it was foaled provided that it was conceived on or after the 1st September of the previous year.

In other words, stallions should not cover prior to the 1st September. I will not go through all the pros and cons that were discussed but suffice to say we were in agreement. However, we have now been informed that the Stud Books in the USA and in England have expressed their displeasure......we at the TBA offer our full support to the Keeper, John Digby. The simple fact is that the Australian Stud Book is the leader in nearly all aspects and there is a very good process whereby the stud book can liase and consult with breeders in all the matters that come up to keep pace with modern practices and technology.

A Korean Delight   23/02/2001

Late last year I was invited to speak at a seminar in South Korea . actually in the south of South Korea in the provincial city of Mirryang which is but a short distance from the new race track at Pusan. Mirryang has a very good University with an Animal faculty that is developing a programme relating to horses , a project that is backed by the city council who have constructed a riding course obout 80 metres wide along the river that runs through the city. They wish to breed and spell racehorses and generally capitalize on the development of the new track at Pusan.
I was very much struck by their enthusiasm and by their kind hospitality and I am sure that their project will succeed with a bit of assistance from Australia. I believe that is very important to build up their skills and I also think it would be disastrous if they moved into a breeding operation without first learning more. I have made a few suggestions to them.

1  I think that it is important for some young people to come to Australia and work the full year to learn and take home their knowledge.

2  It is important to set up a structure of pony clubs as we have in Australia and New Zealand so that young people who mainly live in high rise apartments can get out and care for their pony 

3  Mirryang would like one or more sister cities in Australia and I hope that this can be achieved......I would welcome ideas.

This is a not a trading opportunity in the very short term but if assistance can be given they are the good people who will not forget where it came from.

The Sunline Put Down     23/02/2001

There has been much spoken and written about the decision of an International Classification Panel, that met in Hong Kong, to allocate Sunline 120 pounds which rated her the 11th best female in the world. I am not at all surprised at this allocation as it follows a patronizing pattern of behaviour by the Europeans towards Australasian breeding and racing . During the past decade I have taken the opportunity of attending quite a few breeding or racing meetings and conferences and the pattern is always the same.. there is always the attempt by the European administrators to try and represent their industry as considerably superior to that in Australia and New Zealand. Whether they are employees or or committeemen or stewards, they all believe that breeding in the Southern Hemisphere is inferior to theirs . If , for example, a list of Group1 races was compiled they would include a few Australian races at the end . All wonderfully nice people but with an absolute fear that if they give an inch all of a sudden people may learn the truth...that the breeding and racing industry in Australia has overtaken theirs years ago.