IN-FLIGHT SCIENCE +
It's hard to believe that the first quarter of 2019 is nearly over. In what has been a very hot season, one must feel for the huge number of farmers and horse owners that have been Teffected E C H by Nsome O L ofOthe G worst Y +drought D Econditions S I G N in Australia not previously seen. On top of the drought, large areas of farmland, particularly in Victoria have been ravaged by severe bush fires, requiring many horses to be evacuated and relocated. Praise must be given to the firefighter and emergency service personnel who worked tirelessly to save properties and for their care and consideration given to the welfare of many horses. In an industry that is bonded by the same care and welfare and the love of the horse that unites us, we take our small role in ensuring world’s best practises in the care and welfare of the horses that have been entrusted to us for their journey to their new home. We are privileged to be given this responsibility – it is something we enjoy but also something we take great pride in. Enjoy our latest newsletter and please feel free to speak to any one of our staff regarding the best solution for your next relocation requirement. – Cameron Croucher.
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EIAF is proud to have transported thoroughbred yearlings on the first ever horse flight out of Toowoomba's Wellcamp Airport on February 18th 2019 utilising a Cathay Pacific Cargo plane. Working closely with the airport to conduct a safe and stress free loading process for the horses, the precious cargo of 21 thoroughbred racehorses purchased from the Magic Millions Yearling sales will be exported to South Korea after undergoing quarantine at Queensland's Grandview Thoroughbreds, a registered quarantine facility approved by the Australian Government. EIAF was the company charged with the responsibility of preparation and handling. "Moving horses from Australia is not uncommon, but it is uncommon to be moving horses directly out of Queensland to an overseas destination," EIAF Managing Director, Cameron Croucher said. "We have been working on this for quite some time and we are delighted that Toowoomba Wellcamp Airport has been so supportive." The combined effort of all parties allowed yearlings purchased by Asian clients and for older horses who will race in Asia or New Caledonia to have direct access out of South East Queensland, making it a gateway to transport horses globally. A major improvement in welfare, this departure point removes the added expense and physical stress of having to transport racehorses to Melbourne or Sydney to board a flight, with horses spending hours in transit. EIAF recognises that the facilities at the airport for both equine and humans were first class, as were the staff and care at Grandview throughout the quarantine process. EIAF look forward to growing the relationship with Grandview and Wellcamp Airport in the future.
Another first, EIAF provided a charter flight on the eve of the January Magic Millions Yearling Sale on the Gold Coast, which allowed a group of yearlings to be flown directly from NZ to the Magic Millions Sales complex. All yearlings were able to be prepared for sale at their respective farms in New Zealand, arrived in brilliant condition and were well rewarded with the results they have achieved. The farms that took advantage of this service included Lyndhurst farm in Hamilton who sold an outstanding I Am Invincible colt out of Bang On (NZ) to Shadwell Stud for $550,000. Cambridge’s Wentwood Grange also had a great sale with their Pride Of Dubai filly being secured by Woppit Bloodstock for $220,00, while Gerry Harvey's Westbury Stud based in Karaka has an exceptionally solid sale with six top-quality lots being snapped up for $200,000 or more. EIAF is pleased to advise that this service will be also be available for the Magic Millions January Yearling Sale in 2020. Please register your interest early as there is limited availability.
Twilight Beach Polo on the St Kilda Beach is a brilliant annual event, now in its 3rd year. EIAF's Nelson Bennett caught up with the Provincial Home Living Team (Craig Taylor, Luke O'leary and Julian McCarthy pictured right) before the game began. Created by Idiom Event Management and supporting local charities (Treasure Chest Charity), this event is becoming pretty popular for a fun and fashionable Friday afternoon in the summertime. #twilightbeachpolo
A Brexit steering group appointed by Britain’s thoroughbred industry says it is pleased with the Government’s response to its concerns in the event the country leaves the European Union without a deal. “With continuing uncertainty around the outcome of the Brexit negotiations, it is only right that the thoroughbred industries prepare for all scenarios, including a ‘No Deal’ which we hope can be avoided,” said Julian Richmond-Watson, chairman of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association and the British Thoroughbred Industries Brexit Steering Group. “We have been very encouraged by our engagement with Government around preparations for a ‘No Deal’, and endorse its stance that current systems for horse movement into the UK will continue in these circumstances.” Industry stakeholders, represented by the steering group, hope that a withdrawal agreement between Britain and the European Union can be reached in coming weeks. Any implementation period following a withdrawal agreement would, for example, see a continuation of the current free movement of thoroughbreds between Britain, Ireland and France until at least December 2020, with work proceeding on longer-term arrangements beyond then. However, no assumptions are being made and no scenarios are being ruled out. The steering group says it is increasing its preparations in the event of a “No Deal” Brexit. “We will be communicating further and formally with our stakeholders and participants over the next month with practical guidance and advice, and continue our regular contact with UK Government, colleagues elsewhere in the horse sector, and the Irish and French thoroughbred industries, in particular,” it says. “We have had productive discussions with the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) in the last two weeks and are encouraged by the level of ‘No Deal’ planning in place.” Third country status and exports from Britain The steering group said government advice indicated that in the event of a ‘No Deal’ Britain would be treated as a third country, enabling it to continue exporting live animals and animal products to the EU after Brexit. “Upon the UK achieving such listing the process for thoroughbreds returning or travelling to, for instance, Ireland or France, will become clearer, and the relevant guidance will be provided,” it said. While the European Commission had recently published proposals that would allow UK hauliers to continue carrying goods into the EU until the end of 2019 if there is no deal, seeking clarity on the practicalities for thoroughbred transportation continue to be a priority area for the steering group. Stud book and staffing From November 1, 2018, a new EU regulation came into place for horses coming from Non-EU countries, stating that if a Stud Book or Breed Society from a third country is not listed as being permitted to trade with the EU, horses of that country are not allowed to enter any EU country or to be registered in that country. Thoroughbred studbook keeper Weatherbys has lodged an application with Defra for the General Stud Book to be recognised by the EU Commission and to be added to its list of breeding bodies. The steering group has also made representations to the Migration Advisory Committee to ensure that the requirements of the future UK immigration system are satisfied by the British thoroughbred industry. “This includes a submission to the recently closed consultation on the composition of the Shortage Occupation List to apply for the Racing industry to be returned to the list. If that were to happen, it would mean that those wishing to come to the UK to work in the racing industry could be processed far more quickly,” it said.
A master at work! - Proud Australian Boyd Excell is an absolute Champion! BEGA export Boyd Exell was at his home town recently, giving carriage driving lessons to fans in a sold-out clinic. But last month the current world champion was back in Europe, winning the four-in-hand driving championship at Leipzig, Germany. The four-time world champion, seven-time FEI World Cup driving champion and Reem Acra best athlete award winner likes to spend time at home and does so as much as possible. More recently Boyd only just missed out on being crowned World Cup Champion for the eighth time, to young Netherlands driver Bram Chardon, which was held in Bordeaux, France, from February 7-10.
WEG trip of a lifetime winner Stephanie MacKillop and Team Mackillop Equestrian have learned a lot from her recent trip to WEG taking out the Riders series with Carla (YIRRKALA EXCLUSIVE) having a faultless day and winning the 130cm under 40 pts! What a great weekend at SIEC and well done to all who competed. Special congratulations to Steph Mackillop & Team Mackillop Equestrian for their fantastic results over the weekend. #TeamMackillop #ridersseries
DID YOU KNOW? Lim's Lightning doing fantastic things in Singapore. Winning 4 out of 6 starts including Group Two Aushorse Marketing Golden Horseshoe. Trained by Steven Burridge, owned by Siah Mong Lim, and flown by EIAF, Lim's Lightning was purchased for a steal Magic Millions 2YO Horses in Training back in 2017.
INGLIS CLASSIC YEARLING SALE Tim Nolan of Murrulla Stud is the new record holder of a Classic yearling. Lot 609 – a Brazen Beau x Pouter colt became the highest-priced horse ever sold to Bruce Perry Bloodstock for $550,000, eclipsing the old record of $480,000, which was set last year. Darley stallion Brazen Beau who found himself siring the top two lots and ending the sale as leading sire by average ($247,857). The second-top buy was lot 666, a Brazen Beau x Rose of Hallowell colt offered by Aquis Farm, which Laceby Lodge secured for $480,000. Brazen Beau now holds the record of siring the top three Classic lots ever sold, something Godolphin Australia’s Managing Director Vin Cox is proud of. The conclusion of Book 1 of the Classic Sale, with the clearance rate sitting at 81% and an average of $76,701. MAGIC MILLIONS JANUARY YEARLING SALE The second foal of Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up Oakleigh Girl by record breaking stallion I Am Invincible has topped the 2019 Gold Coast Yearling Sale after selling for $1.7 million. The now Melbourne based trainer Lloyd Kennewell was able to outbid the powerful Godolphin operation to secure the star colt who was offered by Yarraman Park Stud on behalf of the Gillard family. Kennewell purchased the colt in conjunction with Matthew Becker's Group One Bloodstock, Aquis Farm and successful owner Ozzie Kheir. KARAKA YEARLING SALE Selling from Book 1 saw 489 of the very best yearlings available in the country sold to both local and international buyers competing for the compelling pedigrees and progeny of powerhouse sires on offer. At the completion of selling $67,206,500 was invested, representing an average of $137,437, median of $100,000 and a clearance rate of 77%. All horses purchased at Karaka this week are eligible for the lucrative Karaka Million Series with two $1 million races available for graduates as two and threeyear-olds. The top lot was the Savabeel (AUS) – Make a Wish colt offered by Waikato Stud and sold to Te Akau Racing for $1,400,000 INGLIS PREMIER YEARLING SALE Book 1 ended with an average of $117,624 and an ever-increasing clearance rate of 83%. Orbis was leading buyer by aggregate ($1,860,000) from three buys, while Robbie Griffiths and Peter Ford topped the overall ‘lots purchased’ list, taking home 11 yearlings. Darley's Brazen Beau was the star sire of the sale, topping the aggregate at $4,850,000 from 17 sold while Yarraman Park’s I Am Invincible topped the averages list at $301,875. Brazen Beau ($800,000) was one of six stallions to achieve a record price for a 2019-sold yearling alongside Vancouver ($540,000), Kermadec ($540,000), Golden Horn ($425,000), Fiorente ($320,000) and Free Eagle ($250,000). The Book 1 leading vendors were Blue Gum Farm (by aggregate with $4,120,000) and Gilgai Farm (by average at $200,321 from 14 sales). A total of 27 vendors enjoyed a 100% clearance rate.
At the recent French Deauville Sale, EIAF were responsible for many of the valuable breeding stock that required air travel back to Australia. EIAF CEO Cameron Croucher was in Deaville and personally arranged transport for many of the horses purchased at the recent sale. After being transported from the sales complex, the thoroughbreds underwent their quarantine at EIAF's European quarantine farm before boarding a flight to Melbourne. All mares travelled well and those in foal Southern Hemisphere time have held their pregnancy. Owners were delighted with this service from the French sales and EIAF will be back in Deauville later this year to offer this professional service to clients, without the horses having to travel to the UK.
Willinga Park was home to the Southern Hemisphere’s first-ever CDI 4* Dressage Competition from 21 February through 2 March. The event drew the best combinations from across Australia and three 5* international judges, something that usually only happens at an international competition in the United States or Europe. “We are proud to have offered this competition to our Australian Equestrian community and Australian Olympic hopefuls,” says Terry Snow of Willinga Park. “These events will help raise the profile of Australian Equestrian sports around the world.” Dressage by the Sea 2019 is a big step towards the Aussie's succeeding in Tokyo as well as offering record prize money. Jean Michael Roudier, a 5* international judge from France, says he has, “never seen a venue like Willinga Park, anywhere in the world", commenting that it is “the best purpose-built equestrian facility in the world.” Eddy De Wolff (FEI5* NED) was quoted saying Dressage by the Sea event is, “the best he has ever been involved in.” 20-year-old Mary Warren will go home with more than $17,000 in cash and more fans after her wins at Dressage by the Sea. “It’s amazing to have been able to earn so much prize money over the past 10 days,” says Mary.“Normally in Dressage we make our money selling our horses. This prize money will really help.” Thanks to the debut of paperless scoring, riders often had their result before they left the arena, viewers at home watching on the livestream could see the trend from the judges in real time, and results were known within minutes of the class finishing. This event was a game changer for athletes, and audiences at both Willinga Park and those watching live streaming across the country.Dressage by the Sea was a success on many levels, and thanks to all the hard-working team, athletes and volunteers, the judges who travelled around the world and the officials from Australia to witness the best in the sport.