news and media

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 … READ MORE

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, … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

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 … READ MORE

As we edge closer to the completion of the yearling sales and start contemplating the 2018 breeding season, I would like to point you to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse’s recently released report titled Strategy Review 2018. This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2017 and looks at major issues we are trying to … READ MORE

The Federal Government’s announcement regarding enhanced access to ‘Horse Breeder’ visas today is warmly welcomed by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA). The decision follows a lobbying campaign led by TBA to put the ‘Horse Breeder’ occupation category on the medium and long term strategic skills list (MTSSL) for the purposes of 457 visas. By putting ‘Horse … READ MORE

Thoroughbred breeding plays a vital role in the rural economy and Australian society: that was the message echoed by Federal Government ministers and senior politicians at an event in Canberra last night. Defence Minister Marise Payne and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten traded stories of their interest in breeding and racing, while training identities … READ MORE

TBV’s Executive Officer Patrick Clancy will soon take up a national role with Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), while still maintaining his position at TBV. The new position will see him work between the two organisations from his base at the TBV office in Flemington. The focus of Patrick’s new role as TBA’s Director of Policy … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is pleased to announce it will contribute $200,000 to fund research and development for the breeding industry. The money will be placed into a newly created thoroughbred R&D levy scheme and will be matched by the federal government when spent. By making the substantial donation, TBA will enable research projects to … READ MORE

As buyers gathered for the final day of inspections ahead of the Inglis Australian Easter sale, the NSW state government minister Niall Blair was among those viewing the horses on offer. Mr Blair, who is minister for primary industries as well as trade and industry, was hosted by Aushorse and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) during … READ MORE