Media Releases and Articles

A man who has devoted more than 70 years to one of Australia’s most famous racing stables, a former Uber Eats driver who accidentally discovered an affinity with thoroughbreds and a pair of women who have enriched the lives of hundreds of horses are among an extraordinary crop of finalists in the 2023 Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

After sifting through one of the largest and most distinguished entries the awards have attracted, the judges settled on two finalists in each of seven SSSA categories.

And if there is one pair of contenders that represents what the SSSA stands for, it is John Brady and Ian Smith, in the Dedication to Racing category.

Known to everyone at Randwick as “Crewie”, John Brady arrived at the stables of legendary trainer Tommy Smith as a 14-year-old in 1950 – and he’s been there ever since, riding trackwork, mucking out boxes, dispensing wisdom and putting his personal touch on a long list of champions.

At 66, the other Dedication to Racing finalist, Ian Smith, is a youngster by comparison, but “Ginger” as he’s known, is an equally worthy contender.

Smith, who is officially registered as a stablehand with trainer Annabel Neasham, is unofficially regarded as “Sydney’s pre-eminent freelance strapper”.

In the words of his nominator, racing chaplain Colin Watts: “Ian is a caring gentleman, he does an immaculate job, he knows what he’s doing, he’s very punctual, and he just goes all day.”

Among the other finalists joining Brady and Smith at the SSSA ceremony on 24 May at the Gold Coast Turf Club will be Vivek Shamar, the one-time Uber Eats driver whose first contact with horses came a couple of years ago when he delivered food to the stables of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Shamar soon swapped the car keys for a broom and shovel – and hasn’t looked back. Along with James Green from Armidale Stud in Tasmania, he is a finalist in the Newcomer Award.

In the Thoroughbred Care and Welfare category, Louise Abey and Julie Bramucci are the latest pair of “angels” to be named SSSA finalists.

Abey and Bramucci, both from Victoria, re-home and re-train scores of horses every year, largely at their own expense.

The finalists in the Dedication to Breeding category are Kayleigh Murray, the stud manager and veterinary nurse at Fernrigg Farm at Denman and Joel Stewart, the assistant stud manager at Yulong in Victoria.

In the Leadership section, the finalists are Finn McCarthy, a foreman for Tony and Calvin McEvoy at McEvoy Mitchell Racing, and fellow Irishman Sean Keogh, a senior foreman at Godolphin’s Victorian base at Flemington.

Emile Fredericks, the assistant yearling manager at Widden Stud, is a finalist in the Horsemanship category after being nominated twice previously. He is joined by Hazel Fertier, whose nomination is officially backed by just about every trainer at Murray Bridge in South Australia.

As well as the “hands on” categories, the SSSA recognises those who keep the wheels turning from the offices and other backrooms of the industry with the Administration and Ancillary Services award for which the 2023 finalists are Matt Harrington, the General Manager of trainer Danny O’Brien’s racing operation and Mary O’Neill, the “uncrowned queen” of Newgate Farm.

The Stud and Stable Staff Awards offer cash prizes of $10,000 to the winners in each of the categories of Dedication to Racing, Dedication to Breeding, Horsemanship, Leadership, Thoroughbred Care and Welfare and Administration. The Newcomer Award offers a cash prize of $5000, with the runners-up in each of the seven categories receiving $3000.

A Thoroughbred Excellence Award of an additional $5000 will be made to a nominee chosen from the winners of the various stud and stable awards, excluding Thoroughbred Care and Welfare and Newcomer.

The SSSA are staged by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia and are supported worldwide by Godolphin with sponsorship from the Victoria Racing Club, William Inglis and Son, Magic Millions, the Australian Turf Club, the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation, Racing Queensland, Thoroughbred Industry Careers and Marcus Oldham College.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is pleased to announce that Phase Two of the Post-Mortem of Late-Term Pregnancy Loss Project will continue for a second season in New South Wales (NSW), Victoria (VIC) and Queensland (QLD), starting 1st April.

In addition to Scone Equine Hospital, Goulburn Valley Equine Hospital and Darling Downs Vets, an additional three clinics have been added. Hunter Equine Centre (NSW), Bendigo Equine Hospital (VIC) and Scenic Rim Veterinary Services (QLD).

This project, funded through the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Horses Program, gives breeders the opportunity to receive a free post-mortem on eligible foetuses, providing farms the opportunity to improve mare management and minimise pregnancy loss both in the short and long term.

The results will be included in an anonymous database and over time will be analysed for causes and trends in the attempt to minimise abortions across the industry.

Please note there is a limited number of funded post-mortems available each season.

Each clinic has its own specific procedure for dropping off a foetus but as a general rule you must:

• Contact the clinic first to make sure they haven’t exceeded their quota for funded post-mortems and that your foetus fits the eligibility criteria.
• Sign a consent form – a vet will not start a post-mortem without this.
• Double-bag the foetus using heavy duty garbage bags.
• Keep foetus at a temperature between 4-10 degrees Celsius. To do this, it is recommended that the double-bagged foetus be placed in a large plastic container or bin with ice beneath it and on top.
• Deliver the aborted foetus within 24 hours of discovery.

Breeders will be provided will a full set of results following the post-mortem as soon as possible. The EHV PCR will also be sent as soon as it’s available, usually within 48-72 working hours.

For the purpose of the broader research, all details will remain strictly confidential and the data will have no direct link to any horse, farm or breeder; the only people who will have access to the results are the mare owner, the vet who conducted the post-mortem and the lead researcher.

If you are interested in taking advantage of this opportunity, please contact James Murray at TBA on 0407 137 032 or james@aushorse.net.au.

James will be able to provide you with the detailed information specific to your state, including the relevant consent form, eligibility criteria, and transport and drop-off instructions.

You can also access the Frequently Asked Questions for each state via the links below and the required consent form:

Click here for Consent Form

Click here for NSW FAQs

Click here for QLD FAQs

Click here for VIC FAQs

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has launched a new online education platform designed to allow everybody the opportunity to learn the basics of horse care from industry experts.

The platform – which is hosted at TBALearning.com – already has some 20 modules online, covering areas such as conformation, checking horse health, how to safely load a horse for transport, and how to hold a horse for a vet or farrier.

TBA Learning was developed after breeders told TBA there was nowhere to direct new staff to, where they could learn the foundational skills needed for work in the breeding industry.

More than 40 farms from across the country were consulted as part of the development of the site, with breeders giving their feedback on what subjects were important to be covered.

Importantly, all courses are available for free.

“We heard from a number of breeders that there were a lack of resources to help support the development of new staff, particularly without having to enrol in a formal qualification,” says TBA chief executive Tom Reilly.

“With the help of the industry, who really got behind the project, we decided we could build something that filled that void. I think TBA Learning will be a great tool for farms across the country: we know we have a number of backpackers or workers who come in without lots of hands-on horse experience, so this platform provides an option for a manager to say, ‘go and complete the modules on horse health’ or ‘please do the module on checking horses in a paddock’.”

Each bite-sized module features video, audio and written content, allowing students to learn in a way that suits them. The modules are expected to take between 15-30 minutes to complete. They can be undertaken individually, or can be tackled as a larger course, in which related modules are linked together. The current courses are Horse Health, Horse Handling and Biosecurity, as well as the Foundation course which includes all modules.

At the end of each module there is a test, with students receiving a certificate of completion when they successfully get to the end of a module. These certificates can then be presented to an employer.

To access the modules and courses, students need to complete a simple registration. This will then allow them to complete their studies in their own time.  

This education project was assisted with a grant from the AgriFutures Thoroughbred Levy.

Among the experts sharing their knowledge are Mick Malone (Kitchwin Hills), Peter O’Brien (Segenhoe Stud), Kellie McCarthy (Mill Park Stud), Fiona Lacey (Mogumber Park), Cameron Bond (Kenmore Lodge), Angus McAlpine (Eureka Stud), Michelle Maidment (Coolmore), Barley Ward-Thomas (Godolphin) and Dave White (Vinery Stud).

Those teaching the modules were identified by their peers in the industry as someone they would want their staff to learn from.

“It’s something we’d use on our farm. It’s an innovative approach that’s accessible,” said Peter O’Brien, general manager of Segenhoe Stud. “It’s got a group of the industry leaders involved and each module is brilliantly explained in a practical way that makes it easy to follow. It’s the best thing I’ve seen for young people starting off in this industry.”

Brenna Murphy, of Noorilim Park, said: “Whether you are just starting out in the thoroughbred industry or looking for a quick refresher, it’s a great resource for anyone and everyone to use.”

As the course materials were created, video tutorials were shot at 15 farms across five states.

Mick Malone, of Kitchwin Hills, believes these videos will allow young people to learn in a way that is now familiar to them.

He said: “It’s so important for young people to watch the videos because they’ll learn from them and what they learn will stay with them for life. As they progress through the ranks on the farm, they’ll be able to pass on that knowledge to the next generation of people.”

While there are already 20 separate modules online, TBA plans for more to be developed in the future.

“Now that we have TBA Learning up and running it means we can add more courses in the future. One area we are considering is a course for people taking on a retired thoroughbred, so they understand the different needs of our breed,” added Reilly.

Although the platform was designed for those in the thoroughbred industry anybody who wants to further their horse knowledge will be able to enrol in a course with TBA Learning.

“I think it’s exciting that, as an industry that cares deeply for the care and welfare of our horses, we can have some of our experts sharing their knowledge with the broader equine community. I’ve already had a number of people from other horse sectors tell me they’re excited to see the courses and think they’ll be a great benefit to them.”

To visit TBA Learning click here.

The full list of experts and the modules they teach are:

Angus McAlpine, Eureka Stud: How to lead a horse; Barley Ward-Thomas, Godolphin: Transporting horses; Brenna Murphy, Noorilim Park: The horse’s age; Cameron Bond, Kenmore Lodge: The horse’s blind spots, and how horses learn: pressure & release; Dave White, Vinery Stud: Feeding and observing horses in the paddock; Dr Fiona Lacey, Mogumba Park: Temperature, pulse and respiration, and basic horse health; James Balfe, Master Farrier: Parts of the hoof, and how to hold a horse for a farrier; Jason Robinson, Widden Stud: Horse identification, colours and markings; Kellie McCarthy, Mill Park Stud: How to rug a horse; Kelsey Dance, Rosemont Stud: Biosecurity on farm; Kristy Reynolds, Scenic Lodge: Basic eerminology; Dr Michelle Maidment, Coolmore: Using PPE equipment, and parts of the horse; Mick Malone, Kitchwin Hills: Catching horses and letting them go safely; Peter O’Brien, Segenhoe Stud: Conformation basics, and introduction to pedigrees; Ross Fuller, Cornerstone Stud: Holding a horse for a vet.

The first step in deciding the winners of the 2023 Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards has been completed with the judges settling on a shortlist that reflects the “strength and quality” of the hundreds of nominations received from across the nation.

Such was the standard of this year’s nominations; the shortlist committee was presented with a welcome dilemma.

“This year, due to the extraordinary quality of the nominations, the committee had difficulty shortlisting the nominees to five finalists in several of the categories,” the judges reported.

“Noteworthy again in 2023 was the number, exceptional quality, and diversity of nominations in the Newcomer and Administration & Ancillary categories.”

The panel reduced some 200 nominations for the 2023 SSSA to 41 across seven categories.

The shortlist is:

Leadership Award (Stud or Stable):

Sean Keogh (Godolphin Australia, VIC); Finn McCarthy (McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC); Ben Gunn (Yulong Investments, VIC); Bruce Murray (Coolmore, NSW);

Paul Reid (Godolphin Australia, NSW); Phil Harris (Godolphin Australia, NSW)

Horsemanship Award (Stud or Stable):

Emile Fredricks (Widden Stud, NSW); Hazel Fertier (Freelancer, SA); Arda Tascioglu (Freelancer, NSW); Evan Henley (Coolmore, NSW); Stacey Reeve (Sledmere Stud, NSW)

Dedication to Breeding Award:

Kayleigh Murray (Fernrigg Farm, NSW); Dearne Gess-Jones (Merricks Station, VIC); Joel Stewart (Yulong Investments, VIC); Ngyrie Gonzalez (Alwyn Park Stud, WA); Robert Petith (Grant Bloodstock, NSW)

Dedication to Racing Award:

Adam Brewster (Phillip Stokes Racing, SA); Ian Smith (Annabel Neasham, NSW); John Brady (Waterhouse & Bott, NSW); Brooke Douglas (Yassy Racing, TAS); Nathan Tickle (Wild Oaks, NSW); Timothy Hanley (McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC)

Administration and Ancillary Award (Stud or Stable):

Mary O’Neill (Newgate Farm, NSW); Mia Collins (TAFE, NSW); Wayne Massingham (William Inglis & Son, NSW); Anna Ryan (James Harron Bloodstock, NSW);

Matt Harrington (Danny O’Brien Racing, VIC); Sharon King (Amelia Park Farm, WA) Sophie Johnson (Michael Freedman Racing, NSW)

Thoroughbred Care and Welfare Award:

Amy Thomsen (All4HoovesWA, WA); Julie Bramucci (Self-employed, VIC); Marybeth Lepine (Danny Bougoure, Falvelon Lodge QLD); Louise Abey (Abey Performance Horses, VIC); Phillipa Warman (PW Thoroughbreds, VIC)

Newcomer Award (Stud or Stable):

Georgia Bowen (Clayton Douglas Racing, VIC); Mia Herzog (McEvoy Mitchell Racing, VIC); James Green (Armidale Stud, TAS); Jarrod Robinson (Widden Stud, NSW); Romeo (Jason) Ahmed (Waterhouse & Bott, NSW); Vivek Sharma (Ciaron Maher Racing, NSW); Will Rapley (Fernrigg Farm, NSW)

The Stud and Stable Staff Awards offer cash prizes of $10,000 to the winners in each of the categories of Dedication to Racing, Dedication to Breeding, Horsemanship, Leadership, Thoroughbred Care and Welfare and Administration. The Newcomer Award offers a cash prize of $5000, with the runners-up in each of the seven categories receiving $3000.

A Thoroughbred Excellence Award of an additional $5000 will be made to a nominee chosen from the winners of the various stud and stable awards, excluding Newcomer and Thoroughbred Care & Welfare Awards.

The Australian SSSA are sponsored by the Victoria Racing Club, William Inglis and Son, Magic Millions, the Australian Turf Club, the Melbourne Racing Club Foundation, Racing Queensland, Thoroughbred Industry Careers and Marcus Oldham College.

Furthermore, without the tireless support of the Awards media partners, the SSSA message and call for nominations would not be feasible. Special thanks should be made to ANZ Bloodstock news, Thoroughbred Daily News Australia and New Zealand, Sky Racing and Racing.com.

The two finalists in each category will be announced on Friday, 31 March with the winners named at the annual SSSA ceremony hosted by the Gold Coast Turf Club on Wednesday, 24 May.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) commitment to finding the next generation of staff for the breeding industry continues with applications for the 2023 Fast Track program opening this week.

Now in its sixth year, the national training scheme offers people with a passion for horses a pathway into the breeding sector.

Developed in response to the industry staffing shortage, the 12-month program is designed to target people from outside of breeding and racing and introduce them to Australia’s vibrant thoroughbred scene.

“Through Fast Track, we’ve been able to create a pathway for new people to enter our industry regardless of their background or level of horse experience and we know the formula works – close to 90% of our graduates have remained working in the industry after completing the course, which is really pleasing,” says TBA chief executive, Tom Reilly.

Among the diverse graduates are an electrician, beauty therapist and a cricket coach, all of who were looking for a career change.

The current crop of trainees also includes an army veteran who developed a passion for horses after taking part in an equine therapy program.

Successful Fast Track applicants commence a full-time 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, as well as take part in a variety of field trips and personal development workshops.

These learning blocks are designed to prepare the trainees for life working on a stud farm and provide them with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to build successful careers in the industry.

Employers from around the country have embraced the program.

“We can’t run the industry without staff and the better the staff we have, the better the industry will be,” says Twin Hills Stud principal Olly Tait.

“TBA is finding trainees who have got an enthusiasm and an interest in horses and/or racing and we’ve been very fortunate to have some good trainees come to Twin Hills”.

A number of graduates have gone on to excel in various roles within the industry.

Alyssa Pickels, two-time runner up in the Newcomer category at the Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards, spent four years at Kitchwin Hills, working her way up to foaling manager.

Fellow Fast Track graduate Lachie Pethica is currently completing his second year of Godolphin Flying Start, while 2019 graduate Eliza Grantham is a rising star among South Australia’s thoroughbred ranks becoming one of the youngest stud masters in the country, standing Nostradamus at her family’s Springfield Farm.

Fast Track is open to anyone in Australia who is 18 years and over regardless of their level of horse experience.

Trainees have enjoyed placements on farms in Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland and with planning underway for the 2023 intake, TBA are calling for farms from all states to get in contact if they are interested in taking on a trainee.

You can begin your application here.

Applications close March 12^th and you can email careers@tbaus.com to find out more information. 

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse recently released its annual strategy review. This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2022 and looks what the organisations will focus on in 2023.

Click here to view the online edition of the publication.

You can also request a complimentary hard copy by emailing member@tbaus.com.

Applications for the 2022 Nolan Scholarship are now open.

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 2021 scholarship recipient, Tess O’Connor, receiving her certificate after successfully completing the course earlier this year.
 
The scholarship will be awarded to the student who best displays the qualities that Basil Jnr himself was so widely admired for.

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.

Learn more about the Irish National Stud here.

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 (ie. those based outside NSW) must have completed a minimum 12 months 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 upload 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. 

Click here to begin your application.

Applications for this year’s scholarship close on Monday 10th October 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 2023 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.

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.