Service Fees Still Too High?

A group of influential Hunter Valley broodmare owners are contemplating their long -term future in this industry as market forces conspire to make life as an independent commercial breeder increasingly difficult, a situation exacerbated by high service fees.

Some believe that unless service fees come down to a level where the mare owner has a reasonable chance of making some money, the studs will end up with a small percentage of payers (maybe as little as 20%) and stallions will be bred to the farms own mares (possibly as high as 80%).

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To sire 100 winners in a season is a big achievement for any stallion and with four in the club already this year – Encosta de Lago, Redoute’s Choice, Commands and Sequalo – plus Danehill Dancer (IRE), Catbird and General Nediym knocking on the door, we thought it a good time to look at some of these sires that have become the punter’s best friend.

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Racing NSW has announced an expansion to the BOBS bonus scheme to allow horses four years and older to become eligible for bonuses of up to $20,000 applying to all races from 1600m and beyond, excluding Group and Listed events, providing a real incentive for owners keen to race a stayer of the future.

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QUIZ

1/ Which first season sire had his first stakes-winner at Doomben last Saturday in Carrara?

2/ Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mastercraftsman and Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Again are by which shuttle sire?

3/ Rockdale, winner of the Group Three BTC Rough Habit Plate won the Group One QTC T.J. Smith Stakes last year. True or false?

4/ Which Queensland Cup contender will be offered at the 2009 Magic Millions Broodmare Sale?

5/ Which horse broke through to win his first stakes race at Doomben last Saturday after finishing second at his five previous starts?


Answers are at the bottom of this page .