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Dear Breeder, Last night Thoroughbred Breeders Australia hosted a function in Canberra with the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers. This event, now in its fourth year, is an important one for breeders as it gives us a chance to explain our industry to legislators. Given the scrutiny that breeding and racing are under following the … READ MORE
Speech by TBA chief executive Tom Reilly
Ladies and gentlemen, firstly let me thank you for your attendance tonight for what is an important evening for breeders. Ours is a pursuit that is stitched deeply into the fabric of Australia. Thoroughbreds came to these shores on the First Fleet and racing was first held well over 200 years ago. In modern Australia, … READ MORE
Federal politicians from across the political divide have rallied behind thoroughbred breeding, as the industry committed to tackling any issue around welfare. Ministers, shadow ministers, MPs and senators met with industry leaders at Parliament House in Canberra for an annual event organised by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers. There … READ MORE
TBA Calls For A National Task Force
The board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) today had a teleconference to discuss the issues raised in last night’s 7.30 program. As a result of that meeting we are calling for a national welfare taskforce to be established that would include all industry stakeholders. We believe it is important that we come together as an … READ MORE
TBA Press Release
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) condemns in the strongest terms the treatment of horses shown in tonight’s ABC 7.30 program. “I am appalled by the vision broadcast tonight,” said Tom Reilly, chief executive of TBA. “All horses, whether thoroughbreds or not, deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity,” added Mr Reilly. “The full force of … READ MORE
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
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
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
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
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
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
National Breeding Awards Celebrate Australia’s Best
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
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
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
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