HBV UPDATE

UPDATE

WITH PRESIDENT NICK HOOPER

THE BREEDING SEASON IS IN FULL swing and we wish all our members the best of luck with their upcoming foalings and subsequent matings. It is an exciting time of year and with the restrictions of COVID-19 that excitement is sure to be amplified now that lockdown measures are slowly easing.

For those who are breeding their mare this season, the new announcements on the Vicbred first win bonus have created food for your breeding thoughts. The increased bonuses for 2021 foals (bred this season) are part of a range of reforms and increased benefits for being Vicbred.

Our proposed COVID-19 breeding stimulus was unsuccessful, but the increased first win bonuses provide a solid alternative which will hopefully add value to your resulting foal. If your mare is Victorian based - and the resultant foal has a Victorian brand - the increase from $7000 to $9000 is a welcome increase.

The $12,000 first win bonus for breeding a Victorian mare to an Australasian born stallion physically standing in Victoria creates added incentive for breeders to consider our best colts when picking a consort for their mare. We hope that the potential return on investment will encourage breeders to increase their breedings this season and beyond.

We are of the view that this support for our best colts is an important part of the overall industry. If our colts stand at stud and have success that money is more likely to remain in our industry, given they are likely to be locally owned.

Given we have access to the best sires in the world of both gaits, the quality of our best horses is reaching world class. We have seen that in recent times with our pacers in North America and while fewer of our trotters have ventured overseas, the small pool have proven they are close to the best. Acceptance of these facts makes one recognise that our best colts will make viable sires.

The increased first win bonuses are only the first announcement of what we hope will be a number of other reforms and improvements that we have been discussing with Harness Racing Victoria. Both parties are committed to reviewing and increasing the first win bonuses in years to come, pending budgets of course.

The second announcement was the increase in prizemoney on “Humbletonian Day” at Maryborough, where every race on the program carried $10,000. This meant that all eligible winners took away in the order of $13,000 for their first win. Coupled with that is the announcement of 36 $10,000 Vicbred Platinum Maidens to be held through out 2021 across all ages and both gaits. The breeders’ bonuses for the 2yo and 3yo age races therefore increase to $1000 for the winning breeder of these races.

HBV are of the view that increased first win bonuses and significant prizemoney for a maiden win provide all breeders and owners a significant target to aim at for every Vicbred horse. Fast forward a few years where a Vicbred

UPDATE

WITH PRESIDENT NICK HOOPER

Pure horse wins a $10,000 maiden and receives an $18,000 pay day. It might not be the same as winning a Vicbred or Breeders Crown final, but it is potentially achievable for all.

We are hoping that these increases will help underpin the value of young horses at either the yearling sales or on the private market, thereby helping breeders to obtain a better sales price (should they be selling).

We continue to work with HRV on other matters relating to Vicbred and look forward to further announcements over coming months. We do not see these announcements as a finish line and will continue to advocate for better returns through the Vicbred program on an ongoing basis.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

A reminder that the Harness Breeders Victoria annual meeting will be hosted online on Sunday, October 18, at 4pm owing COVID-19 restrictions. Nominations to join the committee will be due no later than the Thursday before the event. Please mark the date in your diaries - in a difficult year, we need a good representation and attendance from our membership base to effect a successful AGM. If you are unfamiliar with the free online conferencing app Zoom (for computer or smart phone.

SEARCH FOR A STAR

Keep your cameras handy while the foals are dropping. Early next year we will be again seeking entries of 2020 Vicbred foal images into our popular competition to find a cover photo for the 2021 stallion guide. In the meantime, we would love you to share images and photos of your new arrives on social media using #VicbredFoal. Everyone needs a reason to smile in these times, and there is nothing better than some foal photos to do the job!

SEMEN COLLECTION DATES

Collection and delivery for fresh and chilled semen has changed for Australian breeders in 2020. You can find an overview on our website. Book early,and make sure your paperwork is complete. It also never hurts to check with the stud beforehand. Dr Kath McIntosh delivered a full Breed To Succeed episode about the process and what it looks like.

STALLION DIRECTORY 25TH ANNINVERSARY

Don’t forget the online edition of this year’s IRT Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide is available online and is completely interactive. Simply click on any link, logo or stallion name to be taken straight to the business’ page. After delays through Australia Post, we are happy to hear that hard copies have arrived at most addresses. If you are a member of HBV or WASBA, or are a registered breeder active in the last two seasons and have not received a copy, please contact us.