news and media

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Nominations Open For 2019 Australian Stud And Stable Staff Awards

May 13, 2019

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

Thoroughbred Research and Development Levy – your input needed!

March 21, 2019

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

Visa Victory

March 21, 2019

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

Applications Open for Fast Track

March 21, 2019
Fast Track Classroom

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

Breeding industry mourns loss of Basil Nolan Jr

November 7, 2018

TBA Media Release Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) is deeply saddened by the tragic death of Basil Nolan Jr of Raheen Stud. TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said everybody who knew Basil would be mourning his loss. “On behalf of the directors and staff of TBA we extend our deepest sympathies to the Nolan family. “Basil … READ MORE

Prime Minister Backs Breeding Industry

October 23, 2018

TBA Media Release Prime Minister Scott Morrison has backed the thoroughbred breeding industry, declaring horse racing a crucial part of Australian culture. Mr Morrison was joined by MPs from all sides of politics at Parliament House in Canberra to rally behind the industry in an event organised by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and the Parliamentary … READ MORE

Strategy Review 2018

April 20, 2018

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

Thoroughbred industry research project ideas sought

January 24, 2018

In an exciting announcement for the Australian Thoroughbred breeding industry, a call for initial research project ideas, to be funded by new research & development levy, was made this week… AgriFutures Australia is looking to fund research that will support the profitability and sustainability of Australia’s world-leading thoroughbred industry. AgriFutures Australia has released an Interim … READ MORE

Government visa announcement boosts breeding sector

January 16, 2018

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

Breeding industry hits Federal Parliament

October 19, 2017

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

National Breeding Awards Celebrate Australia’s Best

August 30, 2017

The Australian breeding industry celebrated its best and brightest today (Sunday August 27) with five prestigious awards handed out at a ceremony held in conjunction with Coolmore Australia’s annual stallion parade. The event, hosted by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), recognised the outstanding achievements of horses and breeders during the 2016-17 season. Securing the coveted Champion … READ MORE

Changes to Skilled Visas

June 30, 2017

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) welcomes changes to the skilled migration occupation list that benefit the breeding industry, announced by the federal government today. A significant alteration to the visa scheme is the reinstatement of the occupation ‘horse trainer’ to the list of occupations under which employers can hire skilled workers from overseas. This occupation category … READ MORE

New advisory panel announced for Australian Thoroughbred industry

June 28, 2017

The newly-formed Thoroughbred Advisory Panel will meet for the first time on 28 June 2017 and host a forum with industry and researchers to discuss research and development (R&D) opportunities for the Australian Thoroughbred industry. The establishment of the advisory panel follows the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce’s … READ MORE

New national role for TBV’s Patrick Clancy

June 7, 2017
Patrick Clancy

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 To Fund Research & Development

May 29, 2017
Barnaby Joyce

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

TBA Welcomes Government Funds For New Research & Development Levy

May 18, 2017

Federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce has said the government is committed to supporting the thoroughbred breeding industry. Mr Joyce, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was speaking at an announcement to confirm the approval of government funds for an industry led research and development levy. “The breeding and racing industry is something that is very … READ MORE

Niall Blair Attends Newmarket

April 3, 2017
Minister Visit

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

Australian Stud and Stable Staff Awards Return for 2017

March 29, 2017

They have helped to transform a stable foreman into a G1 trainer; they’ve helped old racehorses find new homes; and they’ve given strength and encouragement to the thousands who perform everyday work in stables and on studs across Australia. In 2017, the Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards will again recognise those whose efforts go … READ MORE

An Important Message for Breeders on the Thoroughbred Research & Development Levy

January 27, 2017

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has formally lodged an application for a federal government funded thoroughbred research and development levy. The levy, which will generate close to $2.4 million over the next three years for research and development projects, is set to be implemented in the new financial year. It will be funded by mandatory breeder … READ MORE

Research & Development Levy – Objection period Reminder

January 13, 2017

The Australian Government’s Levy Principles and Guidelines provide for a six-week period for lodgement of objections to a levy proposal. The formal period for any objections will be held over seven weeks – commencing at 9am AEDT on 3 January and expiring at 5pm AEDT on 13 February 2017. All prospective levy payers wishing to … READ MORE

Thoroughbred Research & Development Levy Objection period – 3 January to 13 February 2017

January 3, 2017

One accomplishment that I’m particularly pleased TBA was able to achieve this year is federal government support for a thoroughbred research and development levy. These levies have a long history of encouraging industries to raise money for research programs that will produce long term benefits; this spending is then matched by the federal government. TBA … READ MORE