Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse are saddened to learn of the untimely passing of world-class sire Wootton Bassett (2008–2025).
A proud part of the long tradition of successful shuttle stallions, his loss comes so soon after the passing of Fastnet Rock and marks another significant blow for the global thoroughbred community.
TBA and Aushorse extend their most sincere condolences to the Magnier family and the entire Coolmore team, especially those who loved and cared for Wootton Bassett. His influence will endure through his exceptional progeny in both hemispheres, including his emerging legacy in Australia.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to open applications for future leaders of the thoroughbred industry to be part of the newly revitalised Next Crop Committee.
Introduced in 2023, Next Crop is evolving this year with the refreshed leadership structure designed to strengthen the group’s vision, broaden its reach, and ensure long-term sustainability.
Since its launch, Next Crop has built a vibrant national community with around 800 members, delivering a diverse calendar of events including the iconic Gold Coast Magic Millions Trivia Night, Mix & Mingle @ The Sales gatherings, foaling workshops, webinars and stallion parade tours. This success has been possible thanks to the dedication of the outgoing Committee, whose contributions have laid strong foundations for the future – on behalf of the industry, TBA wishes to express its most sincere appreciation to this group.
TBA is now seeking applications for a new Next Crop Committee Group, which will oversee the initiative for a 12-month term. Committee members will be entrusted to uphold the responsibilities and objectives set by TBA, ensuring all activities align with the values and direction of the TBA brand and contribute to a vibrant future for the Australian thoroughbred industry.
The 2025-26 iteration of the Next Crop Committee will consist of six to eight members, who will be responsible for the following:
Strategy & Vision: Shape the strategic direction of Next Crop’s membership, events, and funding framework.
Events: Oversee the planning and delivery of nationwide events, maintaining a balance between educational/industry and social activities.
Membership: Maintain the membership database while driving engagement and growth nationally.
Communications: Manage and publish content across Next Crop’s social media platforms.
Governance: Hold regular committee meetings and report outcomes directly to TBA.
TBA’s Head of Industry Education and Projects Madison Tims will support the new committee in an advisory capacity. Appointments will be based primarily on individual skills, experience, and application, with the aim of also having representation nationally. Membership will not be limited to those from breeding or farm backgrounds; applicants from sales companies, bloodstock roles, training operations, or outside-industry expertise are strongly encouraged.
Individuals with the skills and passion to represent the next generation of the thoroughbred industry are encouraged to express their interest via the formal application process, which is now live and will close at 5pm on Monday 6th October 2025. The new Committee will be finalised by the end of October and duties will commence in November.
For more information or to apply for the Next Crop Committee please visit the TBA website, or contact madison@tbaus.com.
Vale: Dr James Alexander (“Jim”) Rodger BVMS MRCVS MACVSc FANZCVS (16 August 1944 – 8 September 2025)
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) joins the Australian thoroughbred and wider equine community in mourning the passing of Dr Jim Rodger, a pioneering equine veterinarian, accomplished artist, published author and visionary community leader. Jim died on 8 September 2025, aged 81.
A graduate of the University of Glasgow (1968), Jim emigrated to Australia in the mid-1970s and joined the Morgan Howey and Frasier Equine Veterinary Practice in Scone. He later served at Scone Equine Hospital before founding Jerry’s Plains Veterinary Hospital in 1990, building a specialist equine reproduction clinic with comprehensive laboratory capability that supported studs across the Hunter Valley and beyond.
A BVMS, MRCVS, MACVSc (Equine Medicine) and Fellow of the ANZCVS (Equine Reproduction), Jim’s expertise spanned stallion fertility, artificial breeding, sports medicine and clinical research. He co-authored Practical Horse Breeding (1997) and was among the first in Australia to champion PCR diagnostics in reproductive medicine, helping shift the industry beyond culture-based methods toward faster, more sensitive, evidence-based care.
Beyond practice, Jim helped found what became Scone Horse Week, now a 10-day celebration that attracts thousands and showcases the region as Australia’s Horse Capital. He also chaired Muswellbrook Race Club and contributed to the Scone Mare and Foal Monument, reflecting a lifelong commitment to community.
Jim’s legacy lives on in the clinicians he mentored, the innovative standards he set, the hospital he built, the festival he helped inspire, and the cultural life he enriched through his art and writing.
TBA Chairman Basil Nolan expressed his sincere sympathies to Dr Rodger’s family, friends and colleagues on behalf of the Australian thoroughbred industry.
“Jim was a clinician of rare foresight and a community builder in the truest sense. His advocacy for better reproductive diagnostics and his decades of service in the Hunter Valley helped lift outcomes for breeders nationwide. On behalf of TBA, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and colleagues.”
Funeral arrangements will be announced by the family.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Aushorse pay tribute to Fastnet Rock
Tuesday, 9 September 2025
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse today mourn the passing of Fastnet Rock, a breed-shaping Australian icon and two-time Champion Australian Sire (2011/12, 2014/15).
A Group 1 winner of both the 2005 Lightning Stakes and 2005 Oakleigh Plate, Fastnet Rock (Danehill x Piccadilly Circus), was born and raised at Coolmore Australia, where he stood for 19 seasons and shuttled to Coolmore Ireland for 11 consecutive northern hemisphere seasons (2010–2021). He was retired from stud duties in 2024 and, only a fortnight ago, paraded at Coolmore’s open day, delighting a packed crowd. He was humanely euthanised yesterday at Coolmore’s Jerrys Plains farm at the age of 24.
Fastnet Rock’s impact now extends through his sons and, most keenly, through his daughters: he has been Australia’s Champion Broodmare Sire for the past two seasons, underscoring a legacy that will shape the Australasian and international breed for generations. Known on farm as one of the kindest and smartest horses, he famously stamped his stock with a wonderful temperament.
Among his finest daughters is Via Sistina who was recently crowned Australian Racehorse of the Year and is poised to build on her record this spring.
TBA Chairman Basil Nolan expressed his sincere condolences to Fastnet Rock’s connections on behalf of the Australian thoroughbred industry.
“Fastnet Rock wasn’t just a great stallion, he changed the breed,” Mr Nolan said.
“From sprinting brilliance on the track to sustained excellence at stud, his influence has been profound and enduring. The fact that he’s now a back-to-back Champion Broodmare Sire says everything about the legacy still to come.
“On behalf of breeders across the country, we extend our deepest condolences to Tom Magnier and everyone at Coolmore who cared for ‘Fastnet’ so lovingly for so long.”
Aushorse Chairman Antony Thompson shared his heartfelt commiserations.
“We’ve lost a true Australian great,” Mr Thompson said.
“Fastnet Rock combined class, toughness and the kindest temperament – qualities he passed on to so many of his progeny. Only weeks ago he was paraded and looked magnificent; today the industry feels his loss deeply.
“Our condolences go especially to our fellow Aushorse Board Member Tom Magnier, Coolmore Australia’s Principal, on the passing of a once-in-a-lifetime stallion.”
The Nolan Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate of the TBA Fast Track program in memory of the late Basil Nolan Jnr – a highly respected and much-loved member of the Australian breeding community.
The successful recipient will travel to Ireland in January 2026 for six months to take part in the prestigious Irish National Stud Breeding Course – recognised worldwide as one of the leading thoroughbred training programs.
Now in its sixth year, the Nolan Scholarship has already seen seven Fast Track graduates represent Australia in completing this prestigious program. Pictured is 2024 Nolan Scholarship recipient, Madeleine St Ledger, graduating from the Irish National Stud Breeding Course.
“My time at the Irish National Stud has been amazing — from foaling down mares to handling stallions, the afternoon lectures, and all the people I got to meet along the way. I’ve gained valuable international experience and made lifelong friendships. It’s an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to broaden their skills and gain experience overseas,” says Madeleine.
Madeleine St Ledger – Irish National Stud Graduation 2025
About the Irish National Stud Course
Established in 1971, the course is an immersive, hands-on program covering every aspect of horse breeding. Students live onsite and work through the entire Northern Hemisphere breeding season, starting mid-January and finishing in late June. Many graduates have gone on to hold senior positions on farms and in organisations worldwide.
Scholarship Criteria
Applicants must:
Have successfully completed the TBA Fast Track program (including Certificate III in Horse Breeding from TAFE, signed off by their employer).
Demonstrate a strong work ethic, teamwork, kindness, and willingness to help others.
Show dedication to their studies, a positive attitude, and courteous classroom behaviour.
Have contributed to their workplace and/or the industry since starting Fast Track.
Display a genuine passion for the thoroughbred industry.
The selection panel will look for the qualities Basil Jnr valued most:
Honesty
Enthusiasm
Motivation
Strong work ethic
Passion for learning on the job
How To Apply
Information on how to apply can be found by completing an online application via the link here. Applicants will be required to provide a letter of support from their employer and/or an industry referee. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a Zoom interview with a TBA representative and members of the Nolan family.
Applications close: Friday 26 September, 11:59pm
Course dates: Mid-January – late June 2026
Costs covered: Flights & tuition
This is a rare chance for TBA Fast Track graduates to gain international experience, grow their skills, and represent the Australian breeding industry on the world stage.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse have today outlined their new structure and leadership team.
Following 15 years in leadership roles at the Seven Network, Andrew Hore-Lacy was appointed CEO of TBA and Aushorse earlier this year. Since commencing in June, he has worked closely with both Boards to shape a refreshed structure designed to better serve breeders, strengthen industry connections, and further advance Australia’s world-class thoroughbred bloodstock sector.
Head of Marketing & Partnerships: Leanna Packard Leanna Packard has been appointed Head of Marketing and Partnerships at TBA and Aushorse. Originally from the United States, Leanna is a graduate of The Ohio State University and began her career in marketing at WinStar Farm in Kentucky before relocating to Australia. For the past eleven years, she has served as Marketing Manager and Racing Coordinator at Newgate. In her new role, Leanna will lead marketing across both TBA and Aushorse, manage sponsorships and partnerships, and drive stakeholder engagement initiatives to further elevate the visibility and influence of Australia’s thoroughbred breeding and racing industry.
Head of Advocacy & Communications: Meagan McGrath Meagan McGrath joins TBA and Aushorse after more than a decade in senior roles at the Victoria Racing Club, most recently as Senior Manager of Community, Social Responsibility and Equine Welfare. A top graduate of the Godolphin Flying Start program, she also spent three years working in Dubai for Falcon and Associates. In this new role, Meagan will lead advocacy, communications, stakeholder relations and equine welfare policy, championing the interests of breeders at the highest levels.
Head of Finance & Administration: Gemma Cameron Gemma Cameron has been appointed Head of Finance and Administration at TBA and Aushorse. A Chartered Accountant, Gemma has been with the organisation since 2020 and will now oversee all financial and administrative functions. Her career spans roles with leading thoroughbred farms as well as mixed farming operations, with extensive experience in accounting firms specialising in the thoroughbred breeding and racing industry. She has also served as an independent member on audit, risk, and finance committees, and is a current board director for not-for-profit organisations. Her newly expanded portfolio includes the development, implementation, and management of finance operations, IT and office services, human resources, as well as governance and compliance.
Head of Education & Projects: Madison Tims Madison Tims continues as Head of Education and Projects at TBA and Aushorse, a position she has held since 2022. The first to be appointed to a dedicated education and workforce development role at TBA, Madison is responsible for coordinating and delivering national programs that support skills development and industry engagement across the thoroughbred breeding sector. A graduate of Waikato University, Madison previously worked in marketing and education with New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders. She is actively involved with the Royal Agricultural Society Youth Group and in 2025 was an AgriFutures-sponsored participant in the Australian Rural Leadership Foundation’s Emerging Leaders Program.
TBA and Aushorse CEO Andrew Hore-Lacy said the organisation was proud to unveil the new team.
“These appointments mark an exciting new chapter for TBA and Aushorse,” Mr Hore-Lacy said.
“Leanna, Meagan, Gemma and Madison each bring deep industry knowledge and a genuine passion for the work we do on behalf of breeders.
“With the guidance of our Boards and the support of our members, we are well positioned to strengthen our industry and advance the interests of Australian breeders both nationally and internationally.”
The new team will be in full effect as of Monday 1 September.
Applications for Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) latest Fast Track program are now open.
The course offers a pathway into the breeding sector and the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised qualification, while being paid full time.
Developed in response to industry staffing shortages, the 12-month course targets people from outside breeding and racing and introduces them to Australia’s vibrant thoroughbred sector. It gives them the foundational skills and knowledge needed to build successful careers.
Now in its eighth year, the program has proved to be a successful pathway, with 90 per cent of trainees continuing to work in the industry after completing the course.
TBA’s education and projects manager, Madison Tims, said: “This course is great because it doesn’t matter whether you’ve experience with horses or not, on this course you get a chance to learn those skills from some of the best in the thoroughbred industry. We’ve had people from all types of backgrounds on the program before who’ve gone on to great things with their career.
“Fast Track is also unique in that the trainees are working on a farm, so receiving a wage, while also studying for a Certificate III.”
Among the diverse occupations of students from previous intakes are electricians, a beauty therapist, an army veteran, a cafe barista, and a cricket coach, all looking for a career change.
Graduates have gone on to take up management roles on thoroughbred breeding farms, travel to Ireland to take part in the prestigious Irish National Stud course and participate in the Northern Hemisphere breeding and sales seasons. We’ve also had a student graduate from the Godolphin Flying Start course.
Successful applicants commence a full-time paid traineeship with a stud farm while studying for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised formal qualification.
To complement the on-the-job learning, students attend two intensive learning blocks in Scone (six weeks in total), where they receive a mix of practical training and classroom theory and participate in various field trips and personal development workshops.
Employers around the country have embraced the program. We are incredibly grateful for the support of Australian thoroughbred breeders, who have ensured the success of the Fast Track program over the last seven intakes.
Any farm that is interested in taking on a trainee can get in touch directly with TBA.
Applications close March 10th, and you can head to tbaus.com or email madison@tbaus.com for more information.
The Nolan Scholarship is awarded annually to a graduate of the TBA Fast Track program in memory of the late Basil Nolan Jnr, a highly respected and much-loved member of the Australian breeding community.
The successful graduate will travel to Ireland for six months to take part in the Irish National Stud Breeding Course.
Pictured is 2023 Nolan scholarship recipient, Jamie Griffin, receiving his certificate after successfully completing the course earlier this year.
“The Irish National Stud has been an amazing experience for me, and it’s provided me with a great step in my career. I have learned a lot and have taken everything out of it that I possibly could. I recommend that anyone considering applying do so as it will also provide them with the next step in their equine breeding career; they will meet some great people and learn from some of the best breeders or trainers in the country,” explains Jamie.
The Irish National Stud Breeding Course
The Irish National Stud Course was established in 1971 and is regarded as the best-known equine training program within the thoroughbred industry. Many graduates have gone on to hold prominent positions on farms and within organisations around the world.
Unlike university-based programs, the training is mainly of a practical nature and is designed to provide students with a hands-on approach to every aspect of horse breeding. The course is full-time residential and starts mid-January each year and runs for the Northern Hemisphere breeding season.
The Nolan scholarship will be awarded to the student who best displays the qualities that Basil Jnr himself was so widely admired for.
Nolan Scholarship Criteria
Applicants must have successfully completed the TBA Fast Track program. This includes graduating with a Certificate III in Horse Breeding from TAFE and having their formal traineeship signed off by their employer. Students who were not eligible for formal traineeships (i.e. those based outside NSW) must have completed a minimum 12-month employment with their farm.
Prior knowledge and/or industry experience will not be taken into account during the selection process. The scholarship will be awarded based on what the individual has achieved since commencing the Fast Track program and the contribution they have made to their workplace and/or the industry during this time.
Although academic ability isn’t the sole focus, applicants will need to have displayed a level of dedication and a positive attitude towards their studies and have been a courteous member of the classroom during their time on the program.
In the workplace they must have consistently demonstrated an excellent work ethic and have been a team player; someone who is kind and supportive and always willing to help others.
They must demonstrate a genuine passion for the thoroughbred industry.
The successful applicant will be the person who best fulfills the above criteria and who the interview panel believe will be a great ambassador for the Australian breeding industry and honour Basil Jnr’s legacy.
The following attributes were central to Basil and what he most looked for in staff members of his own:
Honesty
Enthusiasm
Motivation
A strong work ethic
A passion for learning more on the job
The Application Process
To apply for the Nolan Scholarship, you must complete an online application form.
You are also required to send a letter of support from your employer and/or an industry referee (someone who currently works in the thoroughbred industry).
The letter should outline why they think you are a deserving recipient of the scholarship with particular focus on your attitude towards learning, contribution to the workplace, your relationships with your peers and colleagues, and your passion for horses.
Only shortlisted applicants will be invited to sit an interview via Zoom, with a panel of TBA representatives and members of the Nolan family.
Successful Fast Track graduates are eligible to apply for the scholarship at any time. You are not restricted to applying in the year that you graduate and if unsuccessful, you can always reapply the following year. There is no limit on how many years you can apply.
Applications for this year’s scholarship close on Sunday 28th September at 11.59pm. Those shortlisted will be contacted shortly after to arrange a suitable interview time.
The successful applicant will need to arrive in Ireland in early January 2024 and remain there until the end of June, when the course finishes.
The full cost of flights and tuition will be covered by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia. It will be the individual’s responsibility to cover the cost of the travel insurance for visa requirements.
This is an incredible opportunity for anyone looking to develop their career in the thoroughbred sector. The Irish National Stud Course is world renowned and many of Australia’s industry leaders are successful graduates of the program.
For more information, contact Madison Tims at madison@tbaus.com.
Photo: Attendees of the 2023 Nagambie Management Skills Workshop.
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is calling for industry participants to register for its upcoming nationwide management workshops, which offer stud farm workers the opportunity to advance their leadership and communication skills.
The training consists of a two-day delivery by Juliet Robinson from Big Goals, who has coached more than 150 industry participants since the program was inaugurated in 2022.
“We’ve had great success from the past management skills workshops. These sessions are key to developing our industry’s workforce, ensuring farm managers and senior management have the skills to deal with challenging situations on farm,” said Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager.
More than 90% of past participants said they would recommend the workshop to other managers.
The opening day will focus on how to motivate and manage a team, respond appropriately under pressure, and navigate difficult conversations in the workplace. Everyone who attends will be required to complete a profile in advance of the workshop, which provides an insight into their management style and work preferences.
The second day will feature focused learning on skill development around assertiveness, influencing, building trust and other key elements of communication and leadership. This workshop is only available to people who have attended the opening session either this year or in previous years.
The 2024 workshops will take place on the following dates and locations:
July 11-12 in Launceston, Tasmania
July 15-16 in Toowoomba, Queensland
July 24-25 in Scone, New South Wales
July 30-31 in Nagambie, Victoria
The workshops run from 9am to 5pm with morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea provided.
Registration is essential and participants are required to complete some brief course work before attending.
The sixth intake of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) national traineeship program, Fast Track, has graduated with a gala ceremony in Scone.
Fourteen students received their Certificate III in Horse Breeding after completing the 12-month program, with the trainees carrying out placements on farms across New South Wales, Victoria and for the first time, Tasmania. More than 80 people attended the graduation event at Scone Race Club on Tuesday night.
All the students in this year’s class are set to remain in the thoroughbred industry after graduation.
“We are very proud of the trainees who have all worked really hard to complete their studies and successfully carry out their work commitments on farm,” said Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager.
“This program has created a pathway for anyone, no matter their horse experience or whether they’ve been exposed to the thoroughbred industry, to learn about breeding and get a job on a respected farm.”
Over 90% of graduates from the program remain in the thoroughbred industry for at least 12 months.
Also attending the ceremony were the 20 trainees who make up the 2024 Fast Track intake, the largest class in the program’s history.
TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said: “The graduation was a great night with so many people from the industry coming to celebrate with our trainees and their families. Fast Track has proved to be an incredibly valuable pathway for young people to get a start in our industry.”
