EQUINE INTERNATIONAL AIRFREIGHT
IN-FLIGHT FEBRUARY 2018
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Welcome to the February 2018 issue of Equine International Airfreight (EIAF) News. If you’ll excuse the pun, EIAF is already off to a flying start for 2018 with our operation in full swing, transporting our valued clientele here, there and just about everywhere. As you’ll read on the following pages, the Australian thoroughbred auction season is already in full swing and we are, firstly, happy for all investors into this great industry of ours enjoying record sales, but are also over the moon at the results achieved at the Gold Coast Magic Millions for the youngsters brought across from New Zealand by EIAF. In other news, we’re proud to announce our association with Matt Harnacke, the international model and #1 equine influencer, we note - with delight - the new by-laws from Equestrian Australia which will allow international horses to participate in Australia, we look at the popularity of Australian endurance horses in the United Arab Emirates and we congratulate World Champ, Boyd Exell, on his continued success in carriage driving. Enjoy! - CAMERON CROUCHER, EIAF Managing Director
A ‘MODEL’ ASSOCIATION
Equine International Airfreight is proud to announce its association with Matt Harnacke, an international model and #1 equestrian influencer. Named by Vogue Australia as “the face to watch” at just 21 years of age, Matt’s modelling career has taken him all around the world and he is associated with high end, commercial brands. Signed with Longines, a brand synonymous with the horse industry and particularly through its association with the FEI, Matt is becoming widely recognised at horse events throughout the globe. Importantly, Matt’s passion, participation and enthusiasm for the horse is closely aligned with the ethos of Equine International Airfreight. EIAF’s Managing Director Cameron Croucher believes: “Matt is an impressive young man who knows and understands the importance of alignment. “He has managed to combine his love for riding with his work in fashion and has created an enormous following in the digital world, as an ‘equestrian influencer’ with a huge social presence. Matt is currently based in Sydney, but is preparing to embark on a modelling contract in Europe where he will be relocating his horse to train at leading equestrian stables. As such, EIAF will be transporting Matt’s horse ‘Chase’ - a gorgeous 9 year old chestnut, warmblood, dressage horse who stands at over 17 hands in the coming months. Matt has mentioned on many occasions that “riding is my priority and horses are EIAF’s priority, so it’s a perfect fit for both of us,” Cameron adds. “I am super excited to be partnering with Equine Interna-
tional Airfreight and to be working with like-minded people whose care for horses and attention to detail has really impressed me,” Matt points out. “I am confident in having entrusted my horse, ‘Chase’, to EIAF and plan on promoting the journey through social media. Both EIAF and myself have some exciting plans for 2018 and I’m looking forward to being a part of the journey.” Matt will, no doubt, have his photographer close by throughout the journey and we’re sure to get some great footage along the way as he plans to document the trip and share with his millions of followers through social media. Stay tuned for a lot more news on Matt and Chase’s equestrian adventure and their “flying” success.
GREAT START TO ‘18 ... AUSTRALIAN YEARLING SALES ARE ABSOLUTELY FLYING What a tremendous start to the Australian thoroughbred yearling sales for 2018! Although there are still some major auctions to be conducted in Sydney and Melbourne, sales on the Gold Coast, in Sydney, Tasmania and Perth have all gone through the roof, registering record averages and aggregates. The Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale extravaganza is always the first cab off the rank – held in the first weeks of January – and that really sets the tone for 2018. EIAF has a close association with Magic Millions and we have to say that it’s much, much more than just a sale (albeit one that is spread over six days and features over 1100 lots, ultimately generating close to $170 million!). There would be few better places on the planet to be than the Gold Coast in January and while the Magic Millions ‘carnival’ also features a $10 million race day – with probably the only barrier draw in the world to be held on a beach! – one of the most important and well-attended events is the Pacific Fair Magic Millions Polo which precedes the sale by three days. We’re happy to report (and as you can see from the photos), the day was another huge success.
Leading groom Alan Macleod with last group of international horses arriving from New Zealand
eiaf passengers please punters On behalf of valued clients Haunui Farm, Westbury Stud and Windsor Park Stud, EIAF flew in a number of outstanding yearlings from New Zealand for the Gold Coast Magic Millions – all of which sold extremely well and are now with leading Australian racing stables. Windsor Park had a close relation to recent Group One winner, Merchant Navy, sell to Ciaron Maher for $300,000 and another well related filly go for $205,000 to Winx’s trainer, Chris Waller, while Haunui sold a smashing chestnut colt to the China Horse Club, leading Australian stud farm, Newgate and massive USA operation, WinStar for $280,000, and also had a half brother to a New Zealand Group One winner knocked down for $220,000. As you can imagine, with the timeframe involved, it is essential to get these horses across from New Zealand in immaculate order and on behalf of vendors and buyers, we can say mission accomplished!
INGLIS OPEN RIVERSIDE STABLES Inglis is the oldest bloodstock auctioneering house in Australia, first hanging out its shingle way back in 1867. From the early 20th century, the company was based at Newmarket, near Randwick in Sydney, and would sell many of Australia’s champion racehorses from that site. However, Inglis moved their operation (not quite lock, stock and barrel, but pretty close) to Warwick Farm and conducted their first sale at the new Riverside stables earlier this month. The new complex was built at a cost of $140 million, which includes a new luxury hotel, adjacent to the state of the art stables and sales ring. The hotel features 144 rooms, all of which are named after famous horses which were sold through Inglis.
IT’S ALL THE LATEST TREND ....
Equine International Airfreight head collars show up all over the world but on a recent visit to Singapore we were surprised to see our head collar wrapped around the waist of a strapper as they wait for their horse to return to scale following the race. Phone Xavier 0407 975 578 or Mishka 0475 443 664 www.platinumht.com.au
AUSTRALIAN ENDURANCE HORSES PROVE POPULAR IN united arab emirates Over the last few months, EIAF has shipped a lot of horses to the United Arab Emirates with positive feedback from horse owners about the care and welfare upon arrival. Australia has always been a big market for the UAE in regards to the provision of endurance horses (Arabians and Arabian crosses) and highlights the vast gene pool and the inherent quality of the Arabians and its crosses which are bred and reared in Australia. Horses shipped by EIAF have competed successfully for their owners in endurance rides like the H.H. The Presidents Cup, Sheikh Mohammed Cup, The Crown Prince Cup etc. Fans of endurance events have increased tremendously over the years and, in the UAE, it is now as popular as horse racing. Australian endurance horses are synonymous with podium finishes around the world and EIAF takes immense pride in ensuring these horses have the best care and believe in delivering healthy, top condition horses, irrespective of the discipline in which our equine athletes compete.
Flights depart regularly from Melbourne to Sharjah on Singapore Airlines, or Sydney to Dubai via Emirates Airlines. For further information or bookings, please contact Alam Dastani on +61 488 777 921 or Cameron Croucher on +61 417 293 747
EIAF STAFF PROFILE
DANEY XU China Representative
What is your role at EIAF? I am employed as its Chinese representative, working closely with Chinese buyers.
What are your main duties at EIAF? My role is to build relationships with Chinese owners and buyers and to help facilitate the logistics required to export horses to China and other Asian countries. Communications are very important and, being fluent in Chinese will give buyers the confidence to speak directly with the company representatives without the need for interpreters. Will you be attending auction sales and events in Australia? Definitely. I will be there to assist and translate for Chinese buyers and to coordinate the relocation of their horses back to China. Not only will I be helping them while they are in Australia, but also assisting them when they are in China. I will be working closely with the sales companies’ Chinese representatives to make the process of sending horses to China as seamless as possible. Do you have a background working with horses? I have been working with RIFA Mustang, helping them to build a bloodstock portfolio in Australia. That’s been a very good experience as it enabled me to meet so many participants in the thoroughbred industry … from trainers to breeders to stallion farms Prior to coming to Australia I participated in equestrian sports in China and have been a keen rider for many years and, as a consequence, have built some great relationships with Chinese Equestrian Clubs and associations. What are you looking forward to in your role at EIAF? I’m excited for EIAF’s future, particularly with exports to China from Australia, but also imports to China from other countries around the world which EIAF can help facilitate. There are plans for even larger numbers of horses to be imported to China: not just thoroughbreds, but equestrian horses too. It is a perfect job fit for me.
EIAF Managing Director, Cameron Croucher (left) with EIAF China Representative, Daney Xu at the office of the China Racing Authority
BOYD EXELL’S AGAIN WITH 8TH
Boyd Exell, a legend of International carriage driving, recently made history when crowned the 2018 World Cup Driving Champion for the eighth time in his career. After a thrilling three days of competition in Bordeaux, Boyd Exell proved to be at an extraordinary level, smashing his own record in the process. The three top drivers battled it out in the winning round over a challenging course, with the silver medal going to Jérôme Voutaz from Switzerland, while Dutchman Koos de Ronde took home the bronze. As the last competitor to enter the arena, the pressure was on Boyd, but he kept his concentration and drove magnificently, not wasting any time or space: a credit to his magnificent team of horses and elite grooms. “The fear of losing keeps me going,” said Boyd at the press conference. “It was tight at the top, there was no room for error, but that is what a good final should be. “We had to go fast … we had to live on instinct and drive.” Born in Bega, NSW, Boyd’s passion for driving started at the age of 16 when he won the Australian pairs championship. Boyd left Australia five years later for the UK to develop his carriage driving talent, and has now been honoured with representing Australia on four occasions at the World Equestrian Games, including a gold medal in Kentucky and Normandy. Exell has now won the FEI World Cup Driving title eight times, the prestigious Aachen CHIO on eight occasions, and been entered into Equestrian Australia’s Hall of Fame. Based in the Netherlands, Boyd’s success lies in his genuine love of horses and a deep sense of trust and understanding with them. “It’s a team sport and you need to have a great affinity with your horses. I feel I have that and long may it continue to be that way. “You have a connection with horses – grooms who work with the animal build a relationship when they’re handling them and I have a connection when I’m training them. I can feel the trust in my horses – I can feel down the rein if they’re feeling stiff, or if they’re expressive and wanting to show off.”
WHAT IS INTERNATIONAL CARRIAGE DRIVING? The International Carriage Driving competition is split into three sections, similar to the format of Three Day Eventing where drivers compete with a single horse, a pair of horses or a team of four. In the first phase, Dressage, the drivers are required to perform a sequence of movements, each given a score out of ten. The second phase, known as the marathon, is an exhilarating timed course of up to 22km, similar to the cross-country round in three-day eventing. Obstacles such as water, mazes, gates, steep slopes and tight bends test the endurance and accuracy of both driver and horses in a feat that demands sharp judgment from the driver. Negotiating three different sections that include mandatory halts for veterinary checks, competitors must ensure they adhere to rules on pace to achieve optimum time. In the final phase - cone driving - competitors must weave nimbly through a set sequence of up to 20 pairs of cones that form a timed course of up to 800m. Balls are balanced on each of the cones, with penalties given for any dislodged by a carriage wheel or horse. Penalties are also given for other errors, including exceeding the time limit, or completing the gates out of sequence. As the cones are set with just 10cm clearance either side of the carriage, this round is a challenging test of the horses’ finesse and the driver’s skill.
Official Airfreight Partner
Flying to WEG in 2018
For further information please contact
Equine International Airfreight +61 2 8817 0300 Cameron Croucher +61 417 293 747
www.eiaf.com.au
EIAF & EA
welcomes international horse owners
Together, EIAF and Equestrian Australia are continually striving to make the international horse world ‘smaller’ every day. In the past, the passage of horses overseas was often prohibitive in cost and time, but today through EIAF, horses are safely and efficiently transported throughout the world, arriving healthy and fit to participate in their international endeavours. And in turn, Equestrian Australia is now allowing international horse owners eligibility to participate in equestrian events in Australia. Under a new Bylaw introduced on January 1, 2018, Equestrian Australia may now grant an International Horse Owner License to an International owner so that they may enter their horse in EA sanctioned events. By definition, an International Owner is recognised as someone whose primary residence is outside Australia, and an International Horse is a horse partly or wholly owned by an International owner. This exciting initiative will open the way for more owners based overseas to participate in all equestrian disciplines throughout the Australian horse community. By allowing a new and previously restricted group of horses competitive rights, it will help to build the pool of horses competing across the country, especially at the top level. It should also stimulate growth and development in other areas, such as sport horse breeding and elite rider participation EIAF’s Cameron Croucher commends the introduction of this bylaw, as it will have encouraging flow-on effects throughout the local equine industry. “This bylaw will encourage stronger national competition and increase the exposure of Australian events and riders to overseas owners and the wider international horse industry. It helps to keep Australia on the world stage.” Meanwhile, Equestrian Australia CEO Paula Ward is thrilled that our local riders can now build a relationship with overseas owners and have the prospect of competing on top-level internationally owned horses. “This is a positive move for our domestic riders as it will help create more opportunities for them to secure quality horses for competition. “In turn, this may further bolster the development of our equine prospects for high-level competition including the Olympics, Paralympics and World Equestrian Games. “Owners play a huge part in our sport, and strategically we are focused on supporting them as much as possible to encourage their continued investment and participation.”