Media Releases and Articles

When David Merrick started working for Widden Stud in 1992, breeding legends such as Bletchingly and Marscay were ruling the roost, Paul Keating was Prime Minister, the Brisbane Broncos won their first premiership, Mabo was decided and we were watching shows like Acropolis Now.

Mobile reception? “Crikey, we were lucky to get TV reception,” Merrick says with a laugh.

Elevated to Stud Manager the following year, Merrick has been a mainstay for Australia’s most historic farm and, somewhat fittingly, was recognised for his service by being honoured with the ‘Thoroughbred Excellence’ gong at last Friday’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

Merrick also collected the ‘Dedication to Breeding’ Award at the Randwick ceremony which was attended by leading trainers Tony McEvoy and James Cummings, MP Michael Johnsen, Widden principal Antony Thompson and Vinery Stud general manager Peter Orton.

Last year Merrick was named the winner of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ coveted Murray Bain Award which acknowledges the outstanding achievements of those who champion exceptional service and hands on practice.

Merrick’s nominator, Widden manager Derek Field, praised him for his leadership, dedication and “a total involvement in every aspect of the business at any time of the night or day, year-after-year.”

“David’s passion and time and his selfless attitude of forever giving is something he should be proud of,” Field enthused. “His one-on-one relationships with our clients are testimony to the regard in which he is held and the utmost trust and respect of all who work with him. David has devoted his life to the breeding industry.”

Merrick was one of seven award winners who were chosen from a record 150 nominations from every Australian state and territory representing every area of the industry.

Each of the winners received a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 with $3000 to share among fellow workers. Each runner-up each received $1000, aside from The Newcomer Award, who received $5000 plus $3000 to fellow workers, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. The runner-up received $1000.

The Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner received a trophy and $5000 in addition to their prize for winning their category, plus an additional $2000 to fellow workers.

Dedication to Breeding: David Merrick (Widden Stud)

Runner-up: Stephanie Mitchell (Mungrup Stud)

Dedication to Racing: Steve Adams (Anthony Freedman Racing)

Runner-Up: Michael Shepherdson (McEvoy Mitchell Racing)

Leadership: David White (Vinery Stud)

Runner-up: Simon Johnson (Godolphin)

Horsemanship: Warren Sutton (McEvoy Mitchell Racing)

Runner-up: Nigel Bentley (Arrowfield Stud)

Administration: Cecelia O’Gorman (Thoroughbred Breeders Australia)

Runner-up: Susan Willis (Yulong Investments)

Care and Welfare: Lindy Thewlis (self-employed)

Runner-up: Fiona McIntrye (self-employed).

Newcomer: Talia Cranfield (Godolphin)

Runner-Up: Alyssa Pickels (Kitchwin Hills Stud)

The GSSSA, sponsored by Godolphin and partners throughout the industry and convened by Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, aims to recognise and reward those who work in all areas of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

“The Awards are a brilliant concept by Godolphin and truly acknowledge so many of the unsung heroes in the thoroughbred industry,” Aushorse CEO, Tom Reilly, points out. “We revel in the deeds of superstars like Winx, but it’s all the workers behind the scenes that keep the trains running on time.

“I’m very proud of our own Cecelia O’Gorman, who has done a power of work in training up industry staff and was recognised in the ‘Administration’ category, while the Godolphin Awards are also supported by the Australian Turf Club, Melbourne Racing Club and Tabcorp.

“As we’ve seen with the record nominations this year, the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards are deservedly gaining greater traction and will undoubtedly encourage many other employees in one of Australia’s largest industries.”

Dear Breeder,

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) is writing to notify you of a case of Hendra Virus that has occurred in a horse in the Upper Hunter Valley.

It is important to note that this case occurred on an isolated non-Thoroughbred farm, some 50 km from Scone.

It is, however, the first confirmed case of Hendra in the Upper Hunter region and is therefore a reminder that farms and veterinarians in the region should be vigilant for potential cases of the disease.

The recent incident involved a 25 year-old mare that was unvaccinated. She was euthanized by her owners after showing neurological signs of distress and then becoming unresponsive. Samples from the mare were collected last Sunday and the Hendra Virus infection confirmed on Wednesday.

HTBA President Dr Cameron Collins, who is also managing director of Scone Equine Hospital, urged all people working with horses to be vigilant and aware of the disease.

“The message to people who work with horses is to keep them away from flying foxes (fruit bats). It is also very important to remember to observe hygiene and biosecurity protocols. As a rule, people should avoid direct contact with any discharge or secretion from any horse, whether it is sick or not.”

Hendra is most likely to appear during the winter months, and has the likelihood of fatal consequences in horses. There have also been four known occasions in Australia where humans have died as a result of contracting the disease, though each of these cases has occurred when the possibility of Hendra virus was not considered.

Hendra is endemic in flying foxes and they can transmit the disease so it is important to ensure horses do not have feed or water underneath trees where flying foxes are feeding or roosting.

TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said farms should review their protocols for dealing with sick horses and contact a veterinarian immediately if they had any concerns.

He said: “This is an isolated case, remote from Thoroughbred breeding centres of the Hunter however it is a reminder to people to be aware and alert when it comes to dealing with sick horses.

“TBA encourages farms to review their protocols for dealing with horses showing signs of sickness and to contact their veterinarian immediately if they have any concerns.”

Hendra can be difficult to identify with signs often being mild. These can include an increased temperature, lethargy, respiratory discharge or distress, neurological signs, mild colic signs or sudden death.

A highly protective and safe Hendra vaccine is available and involves two initial vaccinations 21-42 days apart followed by a booster at six months, and then annual boosters after that. The vaccine is safe and effective and no vaccinated horse has contracted the disease.

Hendra Vaccination

Vaccination of horses against Hendra virus is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in both horses and humans, vaccinations must be carried out by a Veterinarian and registered. Human infection and deaths have occurred following high-level exposure to body fluids from infected horses. Vaccinating horses is an important measure to prevent this occurring and provides a public health and workplace health and safety benefit.

Reminder to Horse Farms

1. This is the season when Hendra virus is more common in NSW i.e. the cooler months of the year.
2. Horse farms should talk to their vet about vaccinating their horses for Hendra virus to protect both the horses and their human handlers.
3. The symptoms of Hendra virus infection are not specific. Horses may be listless, feverish, show signs of colic, neurological signs (wobbly, head tilt, unusual gait etc), respiratory symptoms, abnormal behaviour or die suddenly.
4. Farms with sick horses should contact their local veterinarian who will notify a Local Lands Service inspector or an inspector with DPI if they consider the case highly suspect for Hendra virus.
5. Owners should be aware of the risks associated with handling sick horses. The signs of Hendra virus are quite variable so all sick horses should be handled cautiously and carefully and with as little contact as possible.
6. Children, domestic pets and other companion horses should not contact sick horses.

Management of suspect Hendra cases
• Always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling sick horses
• DO NOT allow sick horses to be handled by children or other people.
• Isolate sick horses from pets or other horses.
• DO NOT allow dogs or other animals to contact sick or dead horses. Keep them away from the sick horse and its body fluids.
• DO NOT move sick horses to another area as this may spread the infection.

Further information:

The DPI website ‘Hendra virus” contains further information.
DPI website – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/310492/Hendra-Virus-Primefact-970-1.pdf

Other contact details include:

NSW Health has a factsheet that has important information regarding human health risks for Hendra virus – Hendra factsheet or phone NSW Health on 1300 066 055.

As we edge closer to the completion of the yearling sales and start contemplating the 2019 breeding season, I would like to point you to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse’s recently released report titled Strategy Review 2019.

This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2018 and looks at major issues we are trying to resolve in 2019.

Click below to read Strategy Review 2019

http://tbaus.smedia.com.au/digital-magazine

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of the TBA or Aushorse team if you would like to discuss any aspect of what we do on behalf of the industry.

Tom Reilly
Chief Executive Officer

T +61 2 9663 8581
F +61 2 9663 8471
M +61 (0) 423 146 334

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) celebrated its centenary year with the announcement of the Basil Nolan Jnr scholarship at an event on the Gold Coast.

More than 200 breeders and industry figures were present as TBA president Basil Nolan acknowledged the award that was created and funded by Aushorse, and named in honour of his late son.

The scholarship will be available to graduates of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s traineeship program, Fast Track, allowing one graduate every year to study overseas.

Aushorse chairman Antony Thompson said the scholarship continued the organisation’s commitment to the future of thoroughbred breeding in Australia.

“The Fast Track program is only in its second year and already it’s been a real success, attracting some great young people to the industry,” Thompson said at Monday night’s event.

“This prize will provide a graduate the opportunity to expand their knowledge base and broaden their experience, allowing them to go overseas and study on the Irish National Stud course or a similar program.

“The Aushorse board are delighted to name the scholarship after Basil who was a wonderful man and embodied so much that is great about the Australian breeding industry.”

Basil Nolan Jnr died in a farming accident on his family’s Raheen Stud last November.

Among the speakers at the Centenary celebration were two of this year’s Fast Track trainees, Lachie Pethica and Alyssa Pickles, who talked about their experiences and how the program gave them a start in the breeding industry.

Journalist Michael Hedge, who wrote the history of TBA for its 100th year, told the audience about the founding of the organisation and its first president, Hugh Denision, a successful breeder and businessman who was forced to change his name after reports of his huge betting wins embarrassed his family.

Click below to view a Flipbook of the TBA Centenary Booklet.

TBA president Basil Nolan paid tribute to the breeders who began TBA.

“Back 100 years ago a group of breeders had the foresight to see that if they worked together, that if they united with one voice, they would be able to change breeding for the better.


“We owe those founders a debt of gratitude because TBA has been a powerful voice that has benefited breeders these past 100 years.”

Many of the responsibilities for TBA remain the same now as they did back in 1919, according to TBA chief executive Tom Reilly.

“The body has an important job as an advocate for the industry, dealing with government in particular. Back in its early days it had to get politicians to grant cheaper train travel for yearlings going to sales, while recently we have been dealing with issues such as visas for overseas workers, federal funding for research and development and export protocols,” he said.

“While the issues may have changed, the need for a strong and united industry voice has not and never will.”

For more information contact Tom Reilly on 0423 146 334

Seventeen new Fast Track trainees began their journey into the world of thoroughbred breeding on Monday with the aim of building successful careers in the industry.

Launched last year by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) in collaboration with TAFE NSW in response to staffing shortages in the breeding sector, the Fast Track training program offers passionate horse people a formal pathway into the industry.

Over the next 12-months, trainees will study for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding at TAFE NSW Scone while completing full-time traineeships with some of the country’s most respected stud farms.

More than 250 applications were received from around the country, leading to an increase in the number of places offered on the program.

“The response to this year’s intake has been outstanding, with double the number of applications from last year,” said TBA Chief Executive, Tom Reilly.

“It demonstrates to us that there are plenty of people out there who would love to build a career working with horses and who are just looking for a start. Fast Track offers exactly that; 12 months practical experience working on a reputable farm combined with a formal qualification. It is the perfect entry-level pathway.

“The program is really starting to build momentum and I am confident that we can continue to grow Fast Track into something that is of real benefit to breeders,” added Mr Reilly.

Widden Stud principal Antony Thompson, said the program plays an important role in addressing a major issue for breeders.

“Staffing has been identified as an area of concern for breeders and there is a real need for an initiative like this. We took a trainee on last year and were determined to support the program again in 2019.

“The course content does a great job providing the trainees with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to get started. They really seem to hit the ground running when they get to the farms.
“TBA has shown great leadership in this area and I am confident that we’ll continue to see the benefits of their hard work.”

The 2019 cohort is made up of students from New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Among the intake is a qualified accountant, a beauty therapist and a dive master. The majority of the group have had little to no exposure to thoroughbreds.

The group will spend the next four weeks at TAFE NSW Scone campus where they take part in an intensive learning experience designed to prepare them for life working on a stud farm.

Trainees return to Scone in late July for another two weeks of structured learning before re-joining their farms where they continue their on-the-job learning for the remainder of the 12 months.

“A first for the industry, the Fast Track program allows students to combine their TAFE NSW studies with paid employment as they gain the essential knowledge and practical skills employers require of successful participants in the thoroughbred breeding industry,” said TAFE NSW Scone Head Teacher, Animal Care & Management, Suzanne Walsh.

Along with the formal units of study, TBA has organised a host of additional lectures and field trips to ensure trainees get the best possible introduction to the industry.

There is also a strong focus on personal development with the group taking part in first aid, defensive driver training, a personal finance workshop and mental health first aid.

The first crop of Fast Track trainees are nearing the end of their 12-months in the program and have made positive impressions on the farms where they are undertaking their practical work placements.

Trainee Alyssa Pickels is based at Kitchwin Hills and like many others in the first group, will stay in the industry after graduation.

“The Fast Track program has introduced me to the wide range of opportunities in the thoroughbred industry. The many experiences provided through the program have shown me that I can have more than just a job, I can make it a career,” said Pickels.

“It’s really exciting to see our inaugural intake near completion. I have had the pleasure of getting to know this group over the last year and I am extremely proud of how far they have come in what is a relatively short period of time,” said Fast Track coordinator Cecelia O’Gorman.

“Watching them grow to become valued team members on their farms has been hugely rewarding and I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve in our industry.”

ENDS
For more information please contact:
Tom Reilly 0423 146 334
Cecelia O’Gorman 0411 696 036

Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Award nominations are now open (Godolphin)

The day after Winx won her final race, her long-time strappers Umut Odemislioglu and Candice Perisijn were back in the real world, mucking out the boxes of regular racehorses.

Like the thousands who do what they do, they awoke at an hour closer to midnight than midday and went to work in the twilight world that is essential to the survival of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industries.

Odemislioglu and Perisijn are lucky enough to have had a world champion to look after.

For the rest of the unknown and largely unheralded workers on whom racing depends for its existence, it can be a thankless occupation.

To recognise their value to the industry and to showcase their roles, there are the Stud and Stable Staff Awards, for which the 2019 entries are officially now open.

First staged in Australia in 2015, the GSSSA, an initiative of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia and sponsored by Godolphin, offer recognition to everyone in every “backroom”, every stable, stud or office in the Australian thoroughbred world.

From stable workers to exercise riders, to float drivers, to secretaries, to stud grooms, to foaling supervisors, to the growing band of “re-homers” who provide care and a future to horses who can no longer race, the GSSSA’s are open to everyone.

In so many cases, the industry workers who the Awards seek to recognise, perform their jobs simply because they love horses.

As the 2018 Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner, the trackwork rider, Joe Agresta says: “You couldn’t do it if you didn’t love them.”

“None of us does it for money, because there isn’t any. We do it because we love horses, love being with them, love looking after them.”

Jenny Watson, whose 35 years on the night watch looking out for mares to deliver their foals, at Armidale Stud in Tasmania earned her the Thoroughbred Excellence Award in 2016.

“I still think this is the best job in the world,” Watson says.

“To see a mare and a foal survive just because you are there is the most wonderful thing.”

To find the most deserving recipients, the GSSSA relies on anyone being able to nominate anyone.

It isn’t necessary for a nomination to come from a boss or someone more senior than the nominee. You can propose someone on the same level as yourself, someone more senior, or more junior, someone from within your own organisation or from another.

Nominations will close on Monday, 1 July, 2019, and can be completed online via the Stud and Stable Staff Awards website www.studandstablestaffawards.com.au.

The GSSSA’s provide total prize money of $100,000 in seven categories plus an overall Thoroughbred Excellence Award made to the one of the five category winners.

The awards for the categories include $10,000 and a trophy, with $3,000 to their employer to be shared among fellow employees.

Tom Reilly, CEO of the Thoroughbred Breeders Association said: “These awards celebrate the most deserving people in the thoroughbred industry; the workers whose energy, endeavour, passion and resilience keep breeding and racing going all year around.”

“To trainers, breeders, business owners and administrators, I would encourage you to think of the people who are most deserving of recognition and nominate them. The finalists and award winners, not to mention their employers, get a huge thrill from being involved on the night that it is well worth making the effort of an entry.”

Greg Nichols, Chairman of Racing Australia said: “The Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards, now in its 5th year, are a wonderful recognition and reward for the outstanding skills, commitment and contribution by the unsung heroes of our sport to the unparalleled success of Australian horseracing that is enjoyed today.”

“Racing Australia is greatly appreciative of the generous and unstinting commitment by Godolphin in establishing these awards and continuing its support culminating in the Stud and Stable Staff Awards being regarded as a pinnacle achievement within Australian thoroughbred horse racing.”

“We encourage our vast band of breeders, trainers, owners and racing management to participate by nominating those individuals who represent excellence in their chosen field of expertise.”

For further information please go to studandstablestaffawards.com.au

As you may know Thoroughbred Breeders Australia successfully lobbied the Australian Government to introduce a matched thoroughbred research and development levy.

This levy started in breeding season 2017 and in its first full year raised about $400,000, which is then matched dollar for dollar by the Australian Government. In addition, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia and Racing Australia have made voluntary contributions to the pool of funding, which have also been matched by government.

The levy allows us to commission research that safeguards the long-term future of our industry. We are able to invest in projects that make a significant difference in areas such as the prevention and management of exotic and indigenous diseases; raising the conception rates of mares and stallions; improving foal health; as well as research into welfare, injury rates and industry modelling.

When the Levy began TBA ran an extensive consultation process to ask breeders what areas should be prioritised for research. As a result of that process a number of projects have been started, but we are now looking for new areas of research.

We want to hear from you, so please read the section below and send us your suggestions.

Questions and Answers:

How the levy works? The levy is set at a rate of $10 per mare covered per season, paid by the stallion owner and $10 per mare returned per season, paid by the broodmare owner. These payments are made through the Australian Stud Book.

How much is raised? In its first full year the levy raised in the region of $400,000 from breeders, though this will fluctuate with the numbers of mares being covered.

Who oversees the money? Racing Australia – owner of the Australian Stud Book – collect the money from breeders before passing it on the Agrifutures.

Who are Agrifutures and what do they do? Agrifutures is the new name for the Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC). Because the federal government is making a significant investment in the Thoroughbred Levy scheme, they require Agrifutures to oversee how the money is spent.

Their role is to work with the breeding industry, develop a 5 year plan for R&D, and then commission projects and ensure they are delivered on time and to the standards the breeding industry expects and requires.

Rural Industries Research & Development Corporation (RIRDC)

What involvement do breeders have? No project will ever be funded from breeders’ money without the approval of breeders. An expert panel has been set up by Agrifutures, upon the recommendation of TBA, and their role is to suggest projects, oversee the commission of studies, and assess proposals that are put forward by researchers seeking funding. TBA also has a regular monthly meeting with Agrifutures to be updated on all projects.

Who is on the panel? The list of members is:

• Professor Nigel Perkins (School of Veterinary Science at the University of Queensland) – Chairman
• Jacqueline Stewart, (Keeper of the Australian Stud Book)
• Dr Catherine Chicken (consultant to the Scone Equine Hospital on pathology and infectious disease)
• Dr Judith Medd (Racing and Wagering Western Australia Industry Veterinarian)
• Derek Field (Widden Stud General Manager)
• Tas Rielley (owner/operator of Basinghall Broodmare Farm at Nagambie).

How can I suggest projects?

We encourage all breeders to send their proposals to TBA so that we can pass on this information to the panel that commission projects and oversee the levy. You can email your suggestions to james@tbaus.com

When putting forward areas for research it may help to consider the following questions:

1. what do think are the most important issues and concerns affecting the breeding industry either now, potentially or in years to come?
2. Thinking about the important issues you’ve just mentioned in question (1), what type of research projects “specifically” (e.g. improved vaccine strategies for management of equine herpes viruses) should we be funding to help address those issues?

What projects are currently underway? The following research has been funded by breeders:

Non-invasive ventilatory support for foals: Breathing difficulties and lung disease are common in foals and may be transient immediately after birth, or may be related to prematurity, infectious disease or other conditions. This project will continue work by the research team on non-invasive support of respiration in neonatal foals using commercially-available, positive airway pressure (PAP) devices used for at home care of respiratory conditions in people. This approach promises to increase our ability to support foals with breathing difficulties more effectively than by administration of oxygen alone, but without invasive ventilation procedures that are technically demanding and usually cost-prohibitive in equine patients.

Measure the economic impact of the thoroughbred breeding industry: This project, which is almost completed, estimates the contribution of the breeding industry to Australia’s Gross Domestic Product and includes a breakdown of economic contributions across all key aspects of the industry. Both the direct and indirect contributions from thoroughbred breeding are captured. This information is important for explaining the significance of our industry to a range of stakeholders and decision makers.

Improving the detection of parasitic infections and control strategies in horses: Currently, there is an incomplete understanding of the gastrointestinal parasites affecting the health, performance and welfare of thoroughbred horses in Australia. Although documented for some important parasitic nematode species, the true extent of resistance in parasites of horses to the commonly used anthelmintics in this country is unknown. This project aims to determine the epidemiology of intestinal parasites, assess practices to control parasites, understand the resistance to antiparasitic drugs and develop rapid diagnostic tool for infections in horses.

Improved bacterial identification and antimicrobial testing:  This project will generate epidemiological data on the bacterial species associated with different infectious diseases in horses in south eastern Australia, and the antimicrobial drugs to which these isolates are susceptible. This information is of vital importance to equine veterinarians as treatment is often, of necessity, initiated prior to receipt of laboratory results from individual patients. In such cases, the best available information on which to base drug selection is data from similar patients in the same location. This data is simply not available in Australia. Collation of such data over time allows recognition of changes in antimicrobial susceptibility, which is critical for recognition of the emergence of antibiotic resistance in bacteria. A second outcome will be comparison of more advanced laboratory techniques available for the identification and testing of bacterial isolates.

The uterine microbiome – key to equine fertility?: This project aims an improved understanding of the role of the bacterial microflora of the equine reproductive tract on equine fertility. Following on from this, novel diagnostic and treatment methods for equine infertility will be developed. In addition, the research aims to formulate easy-to-use on-farm protocols for management and treatment that could significantly improve fertility outcomes. These might include alterations to how stallions are treated between breedings or how mares are prepared for breeding. The ultimate outcome of this research will be improved fertility rates for broodmares, as the causes of infertility in some older, chronically infertile mares are identified and effective treatment regimens are developed.

Wellbeing from pregnancy to racing: This project involves two complementary studies. The first will look at the data from the Australian studbook for all breeding records between 2000 and 2015 examining the population statistics of the Australian Thoroughbred industry.  The temporo-spatial nature of mare and stallion returns, the number of foals born and the number of foals that are subsequently microchipped will be reported.  The second aspect will examine a subset of the national foal crop from 2012 and delve into the reasons that foals do not enter racing. A phone survey of breeders and owners will be conducted to get this insight. Understanding the reasons that prevent foals from undertaking a racing career is essential for the development of strategies and actions that will prevent these negative outcomes from occurring

Understanding heat stress and stallion fertility: Systemic heat stress in mammals is detrimental to sperm production and male fertility. This phenomenon has not been adequately examined in the horse, or in a field setting relevant to the Australian Thoroughbred industry. Specifically, we do not know how the climatic conditions experienced by stallions in the major Thoroughbred breeding hubs of Australia affect their fertility. Some 43 stallions will be examined as part of the study, with the aim of developing measures to successfully alleviate the effects of heat on fertility.

Understanding the epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci infections in mares: Equine reproductive loss due to infectious agents impacts significantly on Australian Thoroughbred breeders. While a range of bacterial agents are a recognized cause of equine abortion, Chlamydia psittaci has emerged as a cause of reproductive loss as well as zoonotic disease of veterinarians and stud workers. Recent work has confirmed that prevalence rates of C. psittaci-infected equine pregnancy losses were higher than were originally considered, suggesting that this problem may be widespread and not just a recent phenomenon. While molecular methods have pointed to contact with birds as a key part of this issue little else is known about equine chlamydiosis, challenging any efforts to reduce the risk to animal and human health.

This project aims to reduce pregnancy losses in Australia’s thoroughbred industry by revealing basic information on the epidemiology of this disease, focussing on two key aspects of this disease, the C. psittaci-infected mare and the potential avian reservoirs of C. psittaci infection.

Rapid diagnosis of infectious agents of reproductive loss: Equine reproductive loss due to infectious agents impacts significantly on Australian Thoroughbred breeders. A range of bacterial agents are involved. Some of these also pose a significant occupational health risk to workers in this industry. Accurate detection of the infectious agents is important for the management of affected mares. While nucleic acid testing is considered the ‘gold-standard’, testing is normally only performed by well-equipped veterinary diagnostic laboratories with molecular capabilities. This restriction means significant delays before diagnostic results are available.

This project aims to develop and evaluate rapid nucleic acid tests for two important causes of equine reproductive loss in Australia, Equine Herpes Virus-1 (EHV-1), a recognized cause of equine abortion, and Chlamydia psittaci, an emerging cause of reproductive loss as well as zoonotic disease of stud workers and veterinarians.

Back in 2017 the federal government decided to scrap the 457 visas available to the thoroughbred industry: namely, those visas for the occupations of Horse Breeder and Horse Trainer.

After extensive lobbying, the Horse Trainer visa was reinstated later that year, with Horse Breeder made available in 2018. However, when the Horse Breeder category was reinstated, it was done so with a caveat stating that applicants would have to be paid $90,000 to be eligible.

Obviously this made the visa out of reach of most studs wanting to employ an experienced staff member from overseas. Thankfully, the government has now reduced the salary restriction to $58,000, which should again make it possible for farms to bring in the small numbers of people they need.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s traineeship program Fast Track is open for its second intake.

The training scheme was launched last year as part of TBA’s commitment to find and educate the next generation of industry talent.

The program works by finding young people who have a passion for horses and placing them with a respected farm where they will gain hands-on experience via a traineeship, while also completing a Certificate III in Horse Breeding through TAFE NSW Scone.

The TAFE component of the program includes two intensive learning blocks (6 weeks in total) and includes 16 formal study modules.

Among the modules they learn are:

• caring for broodmares
• foaling
• handling young horses
• mating procedures
• disease prevention
• horse behaviour

Applications are now open for 2019 and will close on March 31 ahead of the 12-month program that starts in late May. We encourage people from across Australia to apply and there is scope for placements on farms nationwide.

The program has received great support from the breeding industry in the past 12 months; not only from farms willing to take on trainees, but also people willing to share their time and experiences with those on the course. As well as teaching provided by TAFE, the trainees enjoyed a series of tutorials provided by experts from within industry.

“I would absolutely recommend to anybody to get behind this,” says Royston Murphy of Sledmere Stud, who have taken on a trainee.

“I think we really need to push these initiatives and we’ll definitely be taking on some more people every year.”

Cecelia O’Gorman of TBA, who co-ordinates Fast Track, is keen to hear from anybody who might be interested in applying for the course.

“It’s very important that we have quality people coming onto the program, so we really want to get applications from people that love of horses and have a strong work ethic,” she says.

“Applicants don’t have to have any prior experience with thoroughbreds, but it is important that they have the determination to succeed and get through to the end of the course – then hopefully they will go on to have a long career in breeding.”

Kitchwin Hills’ Mick Malone says the program would go a long way to ensuring long-term employment opportunities in the industry.

“Fast Track is a great initiative that will benefit farms all over the country as it provides a great introduction to breeding,” he said. “We are very happy with our trainee and are keen to continue our involvement with the second intake.”

Applicants can find out more about the program and apply here.

Farms who wish to be involved should contact Cecelia on 0411 696 036.