In each edition of our quarterly NSW Breeders Update magazine you’ll find lists of NSW Bred stakes winners here and overseas, typically covering two to three pages each time.
Our latest edition is not that different other than it covers a staggering three and a half pages over, proof that the ever-consistent producers of Australia’s top bloodstock coming from NSW is unflappable and no climate dry, burnt, wet or otherwise has ever seen these results differ.
It has been well documented and presentations at the past three years breeders’ seminars from leading agronomists has shown unprecedented dry conditions from central Queensland right through to central and northern parts of NSW, and now appearing further south it is playing a crippling role in regional communities feed and water sources seeing many cattle and sheep proprietors foreclose and those who do survive, seek necessary assistance to continue.
So the question begs, where does this leave stud farms throughout the affected areas? Government aid and subsidies are limited to our bloodstock industry and for long periods many farms have absorbed fees to retain clients from competitive states, while others have passed on a levy to ensure the sustainability of their quality service is retained.
The current racing season alone has some astounding statistics from progeny bred, born and raised in one of Australia’s toughest droughts in over 100 years.
- 92 NSW Bred Blacktype wins
- 7 of the top 10 runners
- 9 of the top 10 sires stand in NSW
- 50% of the top 10 breeders
Racing NSW’s richest new feature races were fittingly won NSW born and raised progeny “The Everest” went to 3yo colt Yes Yes Yes (Rubick – Sin Sin Sin) and “The Kosciuszko” to 4yo gelding Handle The Truth (Star Witness – Assertively).
NSW-bred black type horses in the top ten of their generation were Bivouac (Exceed & Excel – Dazzler) winner of G1 Golden Rose, G2 Run to the Rose and G3 Vain Stakes. Exceedance (Exceed & Excel – Bonnie Mac) won the G1 Ascot Vale Stakes and G3 San Domenico Stakes. Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie – Lady of Helena) took out the Regal Roller and G1 Invitation Stakes.
Deprive (Denman - Defrock) racked up two G3s, the Show County Quality and the Sydney Stakes. Alligator Blood (All Too Hard – Lake Superior) won the Listed Gold Edition Plate and G3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude. Exhilarates (Snitzel – Samaready) was successful in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes and G3 Quezette Stakes. Akari (Snitzel – Asterix) also won the Reginald Allen Quality and Desirable Stakes.
In the long list of NSW-bred stakes winners nine have tallied up not one but two stakes wins each, 3yo filly Funstar (Adelaide – Starspangled), 3yo filly Libertini (I Am Invincible – Aloha), 3yo filly Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible – Maastricht), 3yo gelding Shadow Hero (Pierro – Sookie), 3yo colt Super Seth (Dundeel – Salutations), 4yo mare Flirtini (Artie Schiller – Ajaweed), 5yo mare Soothing (Lonhro – Dreamy), 5yo mare Teleplay (Written Tycoon – Special Episode) and 6yo gelding Samadoubt (Not A Single Doubt – Isadora).
The 2 Australian bred runners in this year’s Melbourne Cup were both by NSW sires and born and raised in NSW, Youngstar at Bowness Stud in Young while the Cup winner Vow & Declare was raised in Australia’s Thoroughbred Capital, Scone.
While most NSW stud farms have experienced all types of weather conditions, many are educating themselves with expert knowledge through the TBNSW breeders’ seminars to ensure best practice management and longevity. As the strong breeding community that we are, we ask that you stand strong and support your chosen stud, more than ever positive cash flow is imperative, look to finalise accounts as quick as possible, jointly we will make the best of a tough time and continue to race into a sustainable future together.
One can’t help but plee to the skies that the predictions of rainfall next year will replenish water resources, to bring back our lush green lands and return hope for those who have lost so much.
Mick Malone, Kitchwin Hills – “Here at Kitchwin, our feed costs have trebled, with this comes extra staff cost, feed-up takes up 6 hours of the day. Clients may find this hard to believe, but in good times, Agistment margins are generally a breakeven proposition, so as it stands you can just imagine the costs. It’s a credit to all farms throughout the Hunter, you only have to take a drive around Scone Studs and see how well the horses look.”
Peter Orton, Vinery Stud – “History shows the Hunter is the best place to give your horse the best start, and its proven time and time again, but as it stands this comes at a cost - Feed, transport, staff, electricity have all gone up, especially feed. Feed corporations are struggling to find the raw materials for the various hard feeds used for horses, their costs are heading north at a rate of knots. “
Said by a resent client who visited Hunter Valley Studs - “It’s quite amazing, although the dry times are apparent, the horses look as if the season has been the opposite, they’re fat, and gleaming, droughts are part of Australias’ history and the rains will come we all just need to hold out” Max Whitby.
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