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TBV Grassroots: Brodie Becker of Stockwell Thoroughbreds

Brodie Becker of Stockwell Thoroughbreds with wife Rowena

Many enter the Thoroughbred industry as a result of family influence and being surrounded by horses from a very young age. This is exactly how Brodie Becker, Owner of Stockwell Thoroughbreds first became involved in the industry.

Brodie was a one year old when the family moved to Victoria where his Dad was offered the manager role at Stockwell Stud. After four years the property was sold to Emirates Park, following this, his Dad started The Independent Stallion Station.

Brodie was heavily involved with working on the farm from a very young age.“I had more days off school than I did at school, so I could be on the farm,” exclaimed Brodie.

Although a couple of years ago, Brodie took a short break from the horses and worked in the mines in Western Australia. It wasn’t long before he was back in Victoria assisting his Dad on the farm, which was going through a difficult time with Equine Influenza.

Emirates Park offered the property back to Brodie and Mike. Brodie took over the business, rebranded and Stockwell Thoroughbreds was born. Although, as to be expected his Dad is instrumental in the running of the business to this day.

 

“This wouldn’t work without Dad, between Dad and my wife (Rowena) we are a team. It’s a proper family business,”Brodie remarked.

 

Despite falling into the industry from his Dad’s involvement, there was little doubt that Brodie would have spent much time away from the industry.

The in-depth passion of the breeding industry is very apparent when speaking to Brodie,

“The breeding industry sucks you in, you can’t leave even if you want to. Breeding is tough, but it is all worth it when the foals are being born. All your hard work and decisions pay off when you see the results on the ground. It doesn’t matter if it is the middle of the day or the middle of the night, there is no better feeling than seeing a mare foaling. It’s like a thrill,” remarked Brodie.

 

A mare with her new born foal on the Stockwell property

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brodie and his father seem like the perfect team for Stockwell Thoroughbreds and both play to each other’s strengths. “Dad really thrives on the foaling. He loves it.”

Brodie enjoys working with the stallions and his Dad on the foaling side. However, it is evident that Brodie has profound passion for all things breeding!

It is clear that Stockwell is going from strength to strength ‘we don’t try and re-invent the wheel. We just let the horses be horses and allow nature to take his course.’ It is a very humble approach to the breeding industry given the advances in technology. “I would almost say that we are very old school, and that is due to Dad. There is a reason that the old school works.”

Following the success that Stockwell Thoroughbreds have been having, the evidence is there for all to see.

There is no doubt that Stockwell Thoroughbreds was always going to be based in Victoria. The family are well known to the Victorian breeding industry and have been for many years.

“I feel there is comradery in Victoria between farms and we are all willing to help each other out. As we were always the underdog we work hard together to try and build Victoria to make it stand out for what it is.”Enthused Brodie

This year has seen some exciting new investment to industry and Stockwell are working hard to ensure proven stallions are standing in Victoria. The future breeding industry in Victoria is looking exciting as it continues to flourish.

Stockwell Thoroughbreds have been proud to have the successful Artie Schiller standing at the farm. “He is by far our favourite, he has been with us from his first season at stud. He wasn’t a hot property horse when he first came out with a pedigree that people didn’t really know. He was supported by some large breeders in Victoria and New South Wales.”

Brodie with Stockwell Thoroughbreds sire Artie Schiller

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brodie’s first racehorse he was involved with was a filly named Mango Daiquiri. This impressive filly won on Caulfield Cup Day, third in The Wakeful on Derby Day at Flemington and fourth in the Oaks. An impressive start to racehorse ownership, ‘that was my first ever racehorse that I had been in properly and I haven’t been in many racehorses since as that is pretty hard to top.

Brodie clearly has a wealth knowledge and when asked about advice he would pass on, he stated,

“Be willing to do the hard yards and try different things. If you are just starting out learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Try to get to as many sales and open days as possible and take on board what the old school guys have to say. Give your opinion whether it is taken or not at least it is showing that you are interested in what is happening.”

 

 

 

 

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Victorian breeding shone at the annual TBV awards

The Victorian Breeders Awards were held last Thursday night on a warm summers night with the Flemington straight providing the perfect backdrop.

It was a fabulous night to celebrate the Victorian-bred horses, breeders, trainers and owners, while recognising their contributions to a brilliant 2017/18 racing season.

(Racing Photos)

Hosted by the ever-popular Shane Anderson from Racing.com, it was a relaxed and friendly night enjoyed by all, with delicious canapes on offer, the musical delights of cello player Fergus, and the perfect view for racing or breeding aficionados. Guests were also treated to a special guest, named Dayne Barry, who is a 16 year old aspiring race caller and phantom called the Pakenham VOBIS Gold Bullion.

With the VOBIS awards going to trainer Darren Weir, nominator Hesket Bloodstock, owner Troy Corstens, while Thrillster claimed the VOBIS horse of the year for Rosemont Stud.

And while Redzel ran away with Champion Victorian Racehorse and Champion Victorian Bred Sprinter for his multiple Group winning titles and the Everest, his dam, Millrich was rightly awarded Champion Victorian bred broodmare.

Other breeders and their horses that were also put up in lights included Makybe Stud’s Tony Santic with International Victorian Bred horse for Mr Stunning and smart gallopers Sedanzer, Sopressa, Pure Elation and Enbihaar.

The breeders of tough and consistent galloper Cliff’s Edge, Ross and Brett Holburt were recognised with the Basinghall Farm sponsored Victorian Small Breeder Award.

Meanwhile, Rosemont Farm deservedly took out Champion Breeder after a year jam packed with success, and Woodside Park’s Written Tycoon was no surprise to claim Champion Sire for the third year in a row.

TBV is very grateful to the eleven sponsors of the 2017 Victorian Breeders Awards. We would like to thank the following sponsors, who without them, the night would not have been possible: TAB, Racing Victoria, Avenel Equine, Newmarket Grandwest, International Racehorse Transport (IRT), Basinghall Farm, Equilume, Inglis, Magic Millions and StrideFree Racing.

To view all the action from the night, view the photos.racing.com TBV Awards Gallery.

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A Thankyou to Cathy Hains and welcome to Kayley Johnson

After six years on the board of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria, Cathy Hains, has resigned from her position.

The owner of Burnewang North said that she has enjoyed the challenge of being part of such an energetic and committed group of individuals, from different areas of the industry and would like to commend everyone involved.

Filling the position is Kayley Johnson, the co-owner of Rushton Park. Rushton Park is a broodmare farm based in Dhurringile in Victoria.

The change comes at a time when the Victorian industry is experiencing enormous international investment, huge popularity of new sires and great success of Victorian bred horses on the racetrack.

TBV President James O’Brien, said that Cathy would be a loss for the organisation and thanked Cathy for all her hard work and dedication while on the TBV board, and wished her success for the future.

The committee also thanked Cathy for her time and hard work, while on the TBV board.

Originally from WA, Kayley and her husband David set up Rushton Park in 2000, when they sought to secure a property in the ‘Thoroughbred triangle’ of Victoria. After venturing over from WA, they slowly started off with a few mares and then after success on the track, this then grew quite rapidly. Now, Rushton Park boasts over 300 acres and 100 horses on the property.

Kayley, who has been involved with horses all her life, has welcomed the opportunity to be appointed to the Board of TBV and has said that she is quite excited to take on the role.

“This industry is something I am passionate about, so for me to get a chance to participate in that and have some impact, I think it is good for everyone going forward” Johnson said.

TBV President, James O’Brien was excited to have Kayley accept the appointment to the Board and is excited to have such a passionate individual join and cannot wait to see what the future holds.

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Changing of the guard at TBV

There has been a switch in personnel at Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria with Executive Officer Patrick Clancy finishing up after almost three and a half years in charge.

Charmein Bukovec, previously of Racing Victoria, has taken over the position and aims to extend the growth of TBV and the industry it represents across the state.

The change comes at a time when the Victorian industry is experiencing enormous international investment, huge popularity of new sires and great success of Victorian bred horses on the racetrack.

TBV President James O’Brien said Patrick would be a loss for the organisation, but the committee was thrilled to appoint Charmein who already has a good understanding of the racing and breeding industry, including experience working with VOBIS at Racing Victoria.

“Patrick has completely changed the organisation since his appointment in 2015 giving it a national profile and massively increasing its engagement with breeders, sales companies, racing regulators, governments and sponsors.

“During Patrick’s time, our social media exposure has increased 30-fold over the past three years, our sponsorship revenue has almost tripled and membership has grown significantly. And our weekly e-newsletter is now one of the best regular breeding publications in Australia.

“Patrick also played a key role in the establishment of VOBIS Sires and the naming of the $1 million VOBIS Sires 2YO race as ‘The Showdown’.

“The committee is very thankful to Patrick and wishes him all the best in his future pursuits.”

“We are rapt to have Charmein on board and she is already going full-steam ahead,” James said.

“In the short time she has been in the office, she has already covered the Inglis Ready2Race sale, started preparations for our annual Victorian Breeders Awards night (6th December at Flemington) and met with RV officials to discuss enhancements of VOBIS.

“Charmein has a strong love of thoroughbreds, being an enthusiastic rider and owner of a Victorian bred racehorse.

“TBV members and stakeholders can expect to see or hear from Charmein over coming weeks and months as she works to keep TBV strong and healthy.”

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Instagram star Blinx to hopefully channel superstar Winx!

We love to hear about some of last season’s ‘famous’ foals…and it was great to recently get an update on a foal that won last year’s TBV Instagram Foal Photo Competition, a Nostradamus filly owned by trainer Charlotte Littlefield and Julian Hay

The inquisitive filly, nicknamed Blinx, was photographed with his cheeky friend, Maeve Kelly, at Littlefield and Hay’s Cranbourne property.

“As she had so much bling on her as a foal and with Winx going so well, we channelled the super mare and called her Blinx. Let’s hope we can get it through as her official race name,” Littlefield said.

“She was a late cover, being conceived on Melbourne Cup day, and was also a first foal so she won’t be big, but she is very well put together and well framed. Her mum, my first winner as a trainer, Bergerac Rose, was only 15.3 hands.

“Blinx’s little buddy Maeve still loves to come and visit her and we will be keeping her in our stable to race ourselves. Maeve is her first official owner, as we have gifted her a five per cent share.”

The daughter of Rosemont Stud’s Nostradamus, Blinx currently loves life with the spring sun on her back. Enjoying the company of her mates, a Squamosa colt and her best friend Florence (a Fiorente filly) who was bred out of Littlefield’s other mare Offshore Sham.

Blintz the Nostradamus yearling filly with with friend Florence (Fiorente)

“They are a real little gang and are having the time of their lives growing up in the big beautiful grassy paddocks,” Littlefield said.

Drawing on her experienced equestrian background, having represented the UK as a junior in eventing, Littlefield breaks in all her own horses, establishes their paces under saddle, and pre-trains them until they are ready to come into full work.

Littlefield currently has 15 horses in training, including having broken-in seven this year.

“This is probably our biggest year yet. We have five coming in for their first preparation this week as well as another five racing, so it’s a pretty big week for the team.”

After having a year off last season, Bergerac Rose will be heading to Woodside Park sire Rich Enuff for an early cover in coming weeks.

“I love Rich Enuff and I did a lot of work with him under saddle in his second last and last preparation. I actually taught him to jump and kept his mind on the job. Mixing things up to keep him interested, calm and quiet when he was starting to get a bit colty.”

“He has been throwing sensational types and I can’t wait to have my own little Rich Enuff foal to train and race in the future!”

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Fitting win at Pakenham Show by Stage Presence

A little bit of history was made at the Pakenham Show on the weekend with the inaugural TBV member sponsored ‘Off The Track’ Class run and won.

The event, proudly sponsored by Jacqui Sushames and Tam Dieu’s Balius Farm, was won by Rebecca Farrow and her horse Stage Presence.

The Pakenham Show was the first in a new sponsorship partnership between Racing Victoria’s Off The Track program, Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd, Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria and their members (including Balius Farm).

Fittingly, Stage Presence – nicknamed Percy – is himself a Victorian product having been bred by industry stalwarts Carol And Andy O’Shea at their Lang Lang farm.

A son of Testa Rossa (he was bred out of Yallambee Stud when Testa Rossa was in Victoria) and Rory’s Jester mare, Rorkes, Persistency raced just the once in the Dynamic Syndications colours having been in the stables of both Peter Moody and Newcastle’s Darren Smith.

After his only start at Scone in January 2012, he was retired from racing and gifted to trainer Smith’s daughter Courtney as a show prospect.

Courtney and “Percy” were successful in the Novice over 16 hands at the Sydney Royal Show in 2014.

Fate would play a part when Rebecca spotted him during his novice class at Sydney. Her horse, Kholo unfortunately was injured in the marshalling yard that day.

Courtney lent her pride and joy to Rebecca, who rode him for two minutes prior and went out and won her class. Two months later Rebecca purchased “Percy”.

Rebecca and “Percy” have enjoyed plenty of success and good times – including:

2016

  • Reserve Champion Hack – Show Horse Council Show (end of the year show)

2017

  • National OTT Championship at Equestrian Australia Show Horse Nationals.
  • Reserve Champion – Barastoc Equestrian Victoria Horse of the Year
  • Royal Melbourne Show – Open Ridden Gelding
  • Sydney Royal Lady Championship Rider
  • Sydney Royal Hack Championship

In taking out the Pakenham title, Rebecca and Stage Presence won a special Balius Farm/TBV/OTT winners’ rug, $50 from the OTT program, $150 from Balius Farm and an OTT sash and prize pack from Racing Victoria.

Balius Farm’s Tam Dieu said he and Jacqui do their best to contribute to the broader industry as much as they can which included sponsoring this Off The Track competition

“When we got the email from TBV offering the sponsorship opportunity for the Pakenham Show we decided to jump in and help out,” Dieu said.

The partnership gives Victorian breeders the opportunity to support local equestrian shows. The first set of fourteen local shows stretch right across Victoria – from Swan Hill to Sale and Wodonga through to Warrnambool.

The next OTT class with TBV member sponsorship is at the Bushy Park Show (near Maffra in Gippsland) on Saturday, 15th September. It being kindly sponsored by Steve and Ceri Jostlear’s Ampulla Lodge.

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Victoria to Victory – Greta West’s Le Romain

Le Romain is quite possibly Australia’s most under-rated Group 1 winner….scratch that…three-time Group 1 winner.

And the son of Hard Spun, bred and raised at North East Victoria’s Greta West Stud, looks like he not at all finished yet having recently won the Group 3 Show County Handicap first-up last month.

With a race profile like that, it is no surprise that Le Romain was chosen as a subject for the latest episode of Victoria To Victory, which highlights a few Victorian bred racehorses who have won at the highest level in recent times.

Greta West stud-master John McCarthy, who runs the property with brother Laurie, can’t speak highly enough of the farm’s best graduate.

“Le Romain is definitely our finest breeding achievement, and we are so proud of what he has done on the track claiming three Group 1 victories, and what his is still hoping to achieve this spring,” McCarthy said.

Le Romain was bred by loyal clients the Carusi family at Greta West which is one of Victoria’s oldest ongoing thoroughbred nurseries. The farm is has been a consistent producer of high-class thoroughbreds, to which McCarthy believes is due to the process of growing horses out naturally.

“I think it’s the environment we have here, with good size paddocks and lush pasture and along with balanced feed and supplements, is the best way; it’s all about the balance,” he said.

Le Romain’s dam Mignard is a permanent fixture on the farm and a much-loved part of the operation, enjoying a happy life as a broodmare.

“She has done a great job. She is a very fertile mare…not many mares produce Group 1 winners, and having a horse like Le Romain, well he’s won three. Still going strong, she has earned the title of favourite on the farm,” McCarthy said.

Six-year-old Le Romain, trained at Newcastle by Kris Lees, is now two runs into his spring campaign with the win in the Show County showing he has lost none of his Group 1 winning zest.

A shot at the time-honoured Epsom Handicap is a likely proposition for Le Romain before he comes to Melbourne for further Group 1 targets.

Le Romain demonstrates how Victoria is a proven source of national and International Group 1 superstars. Elite gallopers produced by Victoria’s breeding sector over the past racing season included Daysee Doom, El Dorado Dreaming, Great Shot, Hey Doc, Redzel, Santa Ana Lane, Sopressa, Leicester and Written By while Mr Stunning was a major winner in Hong Kong.

Thanks to the unwavering passion, knowledge and dedication of those caring for our thoroughbreds in the Victorian breeding industry, like the McCarthys, Victorian bred horses are given every chance to reach their full potential on the racetrack.

https://youtu.be/JZIIFimGYq8

Watch the Victoria To Victory Series
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New video highlights the early lives of Victorian bred stars

A new video released by Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) today tells the story of the early lives of three Victorian bred Group 1 winners who are aiming for further glory this spring.

Redzel, Le Romain and Written By all feature in the video with interviews of the Victorian breeders who helped raise them to be the champions they are today.

All three Victorian bred heroes will play big roles in the coming Spring Racing Carnival with each aiming to reproduce their Group 1 winning success.

“The stories behind these Group 1 superstars highlights how Victorian breeders and the Victorian thoroughbred breeding industry produce some of the very best performed racehorses,” TBV Executive Officer Patrick Clancy said.

“This past racing season Redzel, Le Romain and Written By produced some blistering performances, but they are not alone in terms of Victorian bred stars. The state’s breeding industry also played its part in the breeding of Daysee Doom, El Dorado Dreaming, Great Shot, Hey Doc, Santa Ana Lane, Sopressa, Leicester and Hong Kong Group 1 winner Mr Stunning among others.

Written By, Australia’s best juvenile colt

‘What a Victory’ was the call when the Blue Diamond winning colt Written By, the son of Champion Victorian Sire Written Tycoon, crossed the line in Victoria’s richest two-year-old race.

Bred by Neville Begg and trained by son Grahame, the colt spent his formative days at Tas and Julie Rielley Basinghall Farm at Nagambie.

“He was a lovely looking foal, with a great back-end and shoulder, and a touch of arrogance, not boisterous, but certainly adventurous,” Tas Rielley says.

“Foaling down eight to a hundred mares, you see a lot of nice foals, but when one goes on like this, with four out of five wins at the top end, it’s very special, and I’m sure he has a lot more to go yet.”

Le Romain – triple Group 1 winner

The Kris Lees trained Le Romain was bred at north-east Victoria’s Greta West Stud for loyal clients, the Carusi family.

John and Laurie McCarthy at Greta West Stud are strong believers in letting horses grow naturally at their farm – one of Victoria’s oldest family owned studs – and Le Romain has certainly been a beneficiary of this philosophy.

“The environment we have here, with good size paddocks and lush pasture is the best way, as it’s all about the balance. His dam Mignard is still going strong, and she is a favourite on the farm,” McCarthy said.

Redzel – the orphan who climbed Everest

The early life of Redzel was a difficult one, but he has now climbed to the highest heights of Australian racing having won two Group 1 races, another seven stakes races and, of course, the inaugural $10 million Everest.

Redzel lost his dam Millrich only a couple of days after being born. But thanks to the dedication shown by Kim Alderton, Christie Murphy and the team at Eliza Park International’s former Nagambie property, they didn’t give up on the orphaned foal, even after three attempts with three different foster mares.

“We made sure he got the right handling when he was a couple of months old, as he would muscle his way into the mares, being quite upfront. He maybe got a bit spoilt in the foaling unit, but he came to hand very nicely and was a pretty clever horse,” Alderton said of Redzel’s early months.

The video is part of the Victoria to Victory series produced for TBV by Jo McKinnon and her team.

Watch all episodes of Victoria to Victory on the TBV YouTube channel.

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IRT seals new sponsorship deal with Victorian breeders

Renowned global horse transporter International Racehorse Transport (IRT) has signed a two-year extension on its sponsorship of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV).

IRT is a loyal supporter of Victoria’s breeding industry and at this time of year plays an integral role in bringing an elite group of shuttle stallions to our state.

It is equally important to the State’s thoroughbred breeding sector in facilitating the export of locally bred and sold yearlings to places such as South Africa, New Zealand and various jurisdictions of Asia.

The extended agreement sees IRT retain naming rights to the official Victorian Stallions Roster. IRT will also continue to have a prominent presence on TBV communications and at TBV events including the Victorian Owners & Breeders Race Day at Caulfield and the Victorian Breeders Awards.

Managing Director, Chris Burke, proudly affirmed IRT’s commitment to Victorian breeders through the transport of shuttle stallions and Victorian bred exports.

“First and foremost, IRT is well aware of the massive contribution breeders make in supplying horses to the racing industry, without which there would be no racing for us to enjoy,” Burke said.

“IRT shuttles stallions to Victoria each year, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring in new bloodlines for breeders to access.

“We also appreciate our role in giving overseas purchasers the confidence that they can buy a Victorian bred yearling at an Australian sale and through a professional company, fly their horse back to their destination in good hands.”

Echoing Burke’s sentiments, TBV President, James O’Brien, is delighted that IRT has agreed to an extended partnership.

“IRT has been a trusted and loyal partner of TBV’s for several year now. They are critical to the operation of Victoria’s breeding industry, particularly with respect to shuttle stallions and yearling exports,” O’Brien explained.

“IRT shares our ambition to deliver positive outcomes for the Victorian breeding industry, and their direct support enables us to do exactly that.”

IRT recently delivered a raft of globetrotting stallions to Victoria for the imminent breeding season, ensuring our breeders have continued access to quality bloodlines and gene pools.

Those stallions include Americain (Swettenham Stud), Brazen Beau (Darley), Cable Bay (Woodside Park), Frosted (Darley) Highland Reel (Swettenham Stud), Jimmy Creed (Spendthrift), Street Boss (Darley), Toronado (Swettenham) and Warrior’s Reward (Spendthrift).

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Victorian breeders flock to Off The Track show sponsorships

The first set of Off The Track shows to be sponsored by Victorian breeders have been locked in with 12 Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) members signed up.

In June, TBV, together with Racing Victoria’s Off The Track (OTT) program and Victorian Agricultural Shows Ltd (VAS), announced a new partnership, giving Victorian breeders the opportunity to support local equestrian shows.

This first set of 14 local shows announced stretch right across Victoria – from Swan Hill to Bushy Park (near Sale) and Wodonga through to Warrnambool. This provides lots of opportunities to Off The Track horses in all regions of Victoria.

“Victorian breeders are really excited about these show sponsorships with more breeder sponsored shows for the 2018/2019 show season to be announced over coming weeks and months,” O’Brien said.

“Victorian breeders are tremendously passionate about equine welfare, and this initiative ticks a lot of boxes.

“The new partnership gives breeders a chance to not only champion equine welfare, but there’s a huge added benefit that TBV members can give back to their local community through their support of equestrian shows.”

Under the new sponsorship arrangement, winners of the OTT Thoroughbred class at shows that have been sponsored by a local breeder will now receive, in addition to the OTT prizes on offer, an extra $150 plus a fantastic trophy horse rug, courtesy of TBV members.

In the six weeks since the opening of expressions of interest, already 20 Victorian breeders have taken up sponsorship of 35 individual OTT shows across the state, injecting an additional $5,400 in prizemoney for participants.

Ahead of the beginning of the 2018/19 VAS Show Series, TBV, OTT and VAS are delighted to share an initial list of OTT qualifiers sponsored by TBV breeder members from August through to the end of October 2018.

DateLocationSponsor
25 Aug-18Pakenham District A & H Society Inc.Balius Farm
15 Sept-18Bushy ParkAmpulla Lodge
6 Oct-18Seymour A & P Society Inc.Yarran
6 Oct-18Swan Hill & District A & P Society Inc.North Star Park Thoroughbreds
12 Oct-18Wangaratta Agricultural Society Inc.Willaroon Thoroughbreds
13 Oct-18Shepparton Agricultural Society Inc.Swettenham Stud
13 Oct-18Sunbury Agricultural Society Inc.Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
19 Oct-18Benalla A & P Society Inc.Riverbank Farm
20 Oct-18Royal Geelong A & P Society Inc.Rosemont Stud
20 Oct-18Kyabram A H & P Society Inc.Rushton Park
TBCLancefield Agricultural Society Inc.Hesket Bloodstock
27 Oct-18Warrnambool Agricultural Society Inc.Illowra Stud
27 Oct-18Bendigo Agricultural Show Society Inc.Illowra Stud
28 Oct-18Euroa Agricultural Society Inc.Illowra Stud

The VAS Show Series runs from August 2018 until March 2019, with the State Finals to be staged in early January next year.

TBV members and Victorian breeders interested in sponsoring a local show this coming season should contact tbvmedia@racingvictoria.net.au or (03) 9258 4233 for further information.

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Happy birthday horses! Tabcorp & TBV announce extended partnership

The occasion of the Horses’ Birthday on 1 August was used to announce a two-year extension to the partnership between Tabcorp and Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV).

Representatives of Tabcorp and TBV joined Victorian-bred Group 1 winning hero Hey Doc at Tony McEvoy’s Flemington stables for the exciting announcement.

The agreement will see Tabcorp’s wagering arm, TAB, secure rights as TBV’s exclusive principal partner and official wagering partner. The two-year agreement is an extension to the partnership first established in 2015. TAB will continue to have a prominent presence on TBV communications and at TBV events.

Tabcorp’s Victorian General Manager, Wagering Trevor Parkes and TBV President James O’Brien presented Hey Doc with a special birthday cake and a carrot to mark the special day for thoroughbred horses.

“Tabcorp is a supporter of racing’s participants and our partnership with TBV is a natural fit,” Mr Parkes said.

“Tabcorp’s businesses return more than $1 billion to the three codes of Australian racing each year.

“Our partnership with TBV will continue to help it promote thoroughbred breeding in Victoria and we’re delighted to back this important industry.”

TBV President James O’Brien was thrilled Tabcorp had agreed to an extension of this important industry partnership.

“Tabcorp is a loyal and long-time supporter to Victorian racing delivering enormous dollars to our industry,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Tabcorp’s direct support of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria most certainly enables us to enhance our marketing and support of the state’s breeding sector.”

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Inaugural Central Victorian Premier Stud Tour

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV) and Harness Breeders Victoria (HBV) are delighted to announce the inaugural Central Victorian Premier Stud Tour on Sunday 16 September 2018.

Members of both breeding associations and guests are invited to embark on a unique tour of Swettenham Stud, one of Victoria’s leading thoroughbred breeding facilities, and Alabar Farm, the largest Standardbred stud in the Southern hemisphere.

The exciting journey will make its first stop at Swettenham Stud in Nagambie, where guests will be greeted by stud proprietor, Adam Sangster, who will lead a tour of the magnificent property and present his six-pronged stallion roster; including Americain, Highland Reel, Puissance De Lune, Rebel Dane, Toronado and Trust In A Gust.

Sangster is thrilled to be part of the inaugural tour and eagerly awaits the chance to welcome guests to Swettenham Stud.

“The joint stud tour is an outstanding initiative, and Swettenham Stud applauds the work of HBV and TBV to offer this opportunity to our breeding communities,” Sangster said.

“It is a great honour for Swettenham to be the very first stop of the tour in its very first year. Our stallions will be ready and waiting to welcome everyone and give them a great show.”

Following the fine English hospitality at Swettenham, guests will be treated to a two-course lunch at La Penelope’s on the picturesque Kirwan Bridge Estate Vinery, then convoyed to Alabar Farms, situated in Koyuga, a short distance from Echuca.

The beautiful Alabar Stud at Koyuga

Since its inception in the 1950s, Alabar Farms has steadily grown to become a front-runner in the standardbred breeding industry. Constantly in pursuit of future leading stallions, some of the finest sires to grace the Alabar pastures include Kentucky, Windshield Wiper, Whats Next, Golden Greek, Fake Left, Safely Kept, Armbro Operative, Presidential Ball and Village Jasper.

The progeny of Alabar stallions have an impeccable record; providing 16 Globe Derby Awards for Leading Juvenile Stallion, 15 Globe Awards for Leading Stallion (by individual winners), and 8 Globe Derby Awards for Leading Stallion (by prizemoney).

Meanwhile, the current Alabar stallion roster has sired the Southern Hemisphere winners of over a staggering $205 million.

Tour guests will observe a semen collection and lab demonstration, followed by a stallion parade of the Alabar residents.

Alabar Bloodstock General Manager, Brett Coffey, echoes Sangster’s sentiments and notes that the tour is in essence a celebration of Victoria’s vibrant horse breeding industry.

“Alabar is delighted to partner with HBV, TBV and Swettenham Stud to put on a truly unique day for all those interested in horse breeding,” Coffey said.

“Victoria is one of the best places to breed horses anywhere in the world and this opportunity to go behind the scenes at two leading farms is one not to be missed.”

“Whether you are more into thoroughbreds or standardbreds, we are all horse lovers and this cross-code stud tour is a really exciting promotion,” he said.

Bookings for the Central Victorian Premium Stud Tour open on Wednesday 1 August are strictly limited. Tickets for HBV and TBV members are $70, while guest or non-member tickets are priced at $80.

To redeem the discounted member rate, sign up as a HBV or TBV member today!

Further information and booking forms can be found at www.vicharnessbreeders.org.au.

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Tabcorp and Inglis continue partnership

Tabcorp, Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria’s principal sponsor, has further demonstrated its dedication to thoroughbred racing and breeding by extending its partnership with Inglis for a further two years.

The renewed agreement between Inglis and Tabcorp’s wagering arm, TAB, takes the formal relationship between the pair to eleven years.

Tabcorp’s Managing Director of Wagering and Media Adam Rytenskild said he was thrilled with the ongoing partnership.

“Tabcorp is the biggest supporter of thoroughbred racing in Australia. Our businesses return $1 billion to the racing industry each year and our partnership with Inglis is yet another demonstration of our commitment to Australian racing,’’ he said.

“We look forward to introducing our punters and partners to the world class Inglis Riverside Stables development and (newly renovated) Oaklands Junction in Melbourne. Our Sky Racing broadcasts and our wagering services will help support Inglis buyers, breeders and trainers.

“Our renewed partnership will also support the Inglis race series and the inaugural $4 million Inglis race day at Warwick Farm in February 2019 – a great prelude to the Golden Slipper Carnival and The Championships.’’

Inglis’ Managing Director Mark Webster described the deal as exciting and reassuring.

“It makes sense. It’s as simple as that,’’ he said.

“We are the market leader in our field and have been for a long time. And TAB is market leader in its field and has been for a long time.

“We have had a fantastic relationship with the TAB team for more than a decade and I’m thrilled we have been able to come to terms to extend that again.”

With Inglis having moved into the new Riverside sales complex in Sydney earlier this year, a major renovation of Melbourne’s Oaklands Junction complex is now in full swing.

The works are expected to be completed for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in March.

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Victorian breeders launch new show sponsorship for OTT horses

A new program for Victorian breeders to support local equestrian shows will see thousands of extra dollars in prizemoney on offer for those competing on Off The Track thoroughbreds.

Thoroughbred Breeders (TBV), Racing Victoria’s Off The Track (OTT) Program and the Victorian Agricultural Shows (VAS) Ltd are delighted to announce a new partnership that will see individual Victorian breeders contributing an additional prize for the winner of the OTT Thoroughbred class in the VAS Show Series across Victoria.

Under the new sponsorship arrangement, winners of the OTT Thoroughbred class at shows that have been sponsored by a local breeder will now receive, in addition to the OTT prizes on offer, an extra $150 plus a fantastic, customised horse rug, courtesy of TBV members.

This joint initiative, which was the brain-child of TBV, reflects the commitment to the welfare of the thoroughbred held by Victorian breeders and the desire to promote greater take-up of horses that have retired from racing.

TBV President, James O’Brien, was thrilled by the announcement and noted that it is an excellent opportunity for Victorian breeders.

“This is a wonderful chance for TBV members to ensure the longevity and demand for their thoroughbreds,” O’Brien said.

“As a breeder, it is immensely satisfying to see your thoroughbred engaged in other pursuits outside of racing. That is what this initiative sets out to reinforce and doing so allows the Victorian breeding community to pay homage to equine welfare.”

“The cooperation we have received from OTT and VAS of this partnership is incredibly heartening. They have embraced the Victorian breeding community and we are tremendously grateful.”

Racing Victoria’s Executive General Manager of Integrity Services, Jamie Stier, reinforced RV’s commitment to equine welfare.

“Thoroughbreds are the centrepieces of our industry, and Racing Victoria is committed to ensuring that they’re afforded appropriate care and attention before, during and after their careers on the racetrack,” Stier said.

“As such, we are thrilled to have TBV and, more widely, Victorian breeders on board to enhance the OTT Thoroughbred classes and the VAS Show Series as a whole.”

VAS Ltd Chairperson, Jenny Daffy, is delighted with the newly formed partnership with the thoroughbred breeders, which will further enhance the already successful Off The Track series that is held at the Victorian Agricultural Shows.

“The support is wonderful and the additional prize money and rug at Show level I am sure will be well sought after by the competitors,” Daffy said.

The Victorian show season runs from August 2018 until March 2019, with the State Finals to be staged in early January next year.

A sponsorship expression of interest process in the 98 shows held annually around Victoria has been sent to TBV breeder members.

Victorian breeders who would like to sponsor a local show should contact TBV on (03) 9258 4233 or tbvmedia@racingvictoria.net.au.

A full list of sponsored shows will be released in advance of the 2018/2019 show season.

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Hannah is TBV’s new scholarship recipient

A first pony at twelve years old and a deep interest in horses has led Bendigo’s Hannah Mika to take up equine studies at Marcus Oldham College.

Hannah is studying her Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham and is the current Australian Thoroughbred scholarship recipient, a scholarship supported by Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria .

It was a fateful day at the age of twelve when Hannah received her first ever pony and, despite coming from a family with no prior equine interests, she has been an avid horse enthusiast ever since.

“Growing up I attended my local pony club, Neangar Park (at Eaglehawk near Bendigo), and was regularly out at eventing competitions on the weekends. We wanted to go somewhere we could learn more about horses and have fun at the same time,” Hannah explains.

While Hannah is still a member of her local pony club to this day, upon completion of her VCE studies she initially intended to pursue her interest in equine dentistry at a tertiary level.

It was through her pony’s dentist, Russell Schischka, that she was introduced to Stonehouse Thoroughbreds’ Ryan Arnel, a graduate of Marcus Oldham College himself.

Ryan strongly encouraged Hannah to get some hands-on experience prior to commencing her university studies, which was an invaluable piece of advice that has undoubtedly placed Hannah in great stead today.

Taking Ryan’s wise words on board, Hannah packed her bags and gained an opportunity to work with the highly respected Tweenhills Farm and Stud in England for a year.

Hannah Mika showjumping on Claude in England

“I was a stable hand; mucking out stalls, prepping yearlings for sale and assisting with the breaking in process of a few yearlings. This was a steep learning curve for me as it was my first real glimpse into the thoroughbred industry but at the same time it was thoroughly rewarding,” she said.

It was at Tweenhills that Hannah worked under the guidance of Graham McCourt, a former Champion Hurdle winning jockey, who now works as the farm’s yearling manager and breaking in manager.

Under Graham’s guidance, Hannah embarked on a transformative experience. In particular, she was inspired by his tremendous horsemanship and, as she explains in her own words, “the way he handles the horses is amazing.”

It was a major turning point for Hannah, instilling in her a great passion for the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Prior to returning home, she reconnected with Ryan Arnel who suggested that she should apply for the Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham.

“I took his advice and did some research on what the course had to offer and decided that this was the path for me,” Hannah explains.

Since arriving home, Hannah has continued to gain practical work experience. She has completed a yearling preparation at Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, and was also introduced to the team at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.

While she is now settling into her studies at Marcus Oldham College, she is especially eager to meet more breeding industry participants.

“Gaining contacts is one amazing thing that I’m looking forward to, as well as the opportunities that will come about from this experience,” she explained.

The first half of the diploma’s curriculum is focused on general horse management, followed by a semester specifically concentrated on racing and breeding including a stint at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley.

As for Hannah’s ultimate ambition, she hopes to one day emulate her role model, Graham McCourt, to become a highly respected horseperson in the position of yearling manager or breaking in manager.

TBV will be sure to follow Hannah’s development with a keen interest, and we wish her all the best in her current studies and future endeavours.

The Australian Thoroughbred Scholarship is offered annually through Marcus Oldham. Along with TBV, the scholarship is supported by Coolmore Stud, Star Thoroughbreds, Mustad Saddleworld, Prydes Easifeed and Plasvacc.

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Littlefield wins Racing.com raceday lunch for foal photo

The inaugural TBV Instagram Foal Photo Competition has been run and won for 2017.

And the ‘Most liked’ award has gone to an inquisitive Nostradamus filly owned by Cranbourne breeder and trainer Charlotte Littlefield.

Littlefield and Mornington’s Caitrin Kelly who co-submitted the photo win a raceday lunch package in the Chairman’s Club at Flemington generously donated by Racing.com

The photo is of Charlotte’s Nostradamus x Bergerac Rose filly, who is inquisitively playing with Caitrin’s daughter Maeve.

The filly was conceived on Melbourne Cup day and was bred by Charlotte Littlefield and Julian Hay at their Cranbourne property.

“The photo is of our beautiful filly Blinx who is from my first winner as a trainer, Bergerac Rose,” Littlefield said.

“This is her first foal and our first that we foaled down ourselves.

“Maeve is her little friend. Maeve adores the horses and ice cream…this will be Maeve’s first share in a racehorse!”

Littlefield kicked off her professional trainer career with Bergerac Rose and now has about 12 to14 in work, including some in pre-training and being broken in.

Born and raised in the UK, Littlefield was an established event rider who represented her country as part of the British Young Rider Team in Poland 2003.

Her love of thoroughbred racing started at a young age when she would attend the Goodwood races with her parents, before taking a job riding trackwork for a point-to-point and national hunt yard in Somerset.

Littlefield moved to Australia 11 years ago, where she has continued to compete in eventing, along with pursuing her passion in flat racing.

Wanting to put her eventing knowledge and racing experience into practice, Littlefield feels that she can come in with a different angle to training thoroughbreds.

“My eventing background has been very handy, as once they’re taught to track work we can incorporate some dressage and jumping into their routine. We believe that if they can do a preliminary level dressage test and a preliminary horse trials, then they are ready to race.”

Although Bergerac Rose will be having a year off this year from breeding, she will be heading back to the breeding barn early next year, along with Charlotte’s other mare Offshore Sham.

Offshore Sham has a Helmet colt at next year’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as Lot 766.

The full set of entries can be found at the TBV Instagram Foal Photo Competition.

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Mitchelton wine for Yarran’s ‘thirsty foal’ photo

Yarran’s Rachel Doherty will be enjoying a nice glass of local Mitchelton wine this festive season after her entry was awarded a prize in the TBV Instagram Foal Photo competition.

Yarran’s beautiful little Nostradamus filly was captured being a little cheeky and not at all impressed by being disturbed trying to get a drink from mum! For the lovely photo, Rachel and her husband John get to enjoy a case of wine kindly donated by Mitchelton Wines.

The winning photo is of Rachel and John’s own mare, Magic Pulse and her filly. They bought Magic Pulse at this year’s Inglis Great Southern Sale in foal to Rosemont Stud’s First Crop Sire.

Rachel was born into thoroughbreds with not only her parents, but also her grandfather, working at Fairdale Stud near Palmerston North in New Zealand.

“I grew up learning everything at Fairdale Stud– I was the third generation to work there from my family,” Rachel said.

Through her breeding industry work Rachel met John, who similarly had a strong background in the industry particularly at Coolmore Stud in Ireland.

“We then travelled and worked everywhere together, including a season in China when we took over the first eleven thoroughbred broodmares to China in the 90’s.

After stints in Japan and New Zealand, they landed at Darley’s Northwood property.

“Grace (their child) was four when we moved to Northwood, where we worked for the next eight years.

“We still had our own small property for our mares, and a handful of clients, and in May we moved down the road to Yarran Thoroughbreds.”

Having taken over management of Yarran mid-year, the upcoming yearling sales will be their first for the farm.

They are taking a draft of eleven yearlings to the Inglis Premier Sale with an array of sires. Their Lot 619 Kuroshio filly received a nice upgrade during the recent Spring Racing Carnival.

Her dam, Summer Wine, is a half-sister to Group 2 Caulfield Sprint winner Snitty Kitty – a horse trainer Henry Dwyer is targeting towards February’s Oakleigh Plate.

The full set of entries can be found at the TBV Instagram Foal Photo Competition.

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Breeders and horses recognised at 2017 Victorian Breeders Awards

The Victorian Breeders Awards were held on Friday night at an atmospheric Moonee Valley with a series of stars recognised for their efforts in 2016/2017.

While Nagambie’s Gilgai Farm took home a swag of awards, a number of lesser profile breeders and their horses were also put up in lights.

Port Fairy’s Tony Krushka received the Champion Victorian Racehorse and Champion Victorian Bred Sprinter for the multiple stakes winning efforts of his homebred mare Tycoon Tara.

The breeders of Group 1 Railway Stakes winner Scales of Justice, Gerard and Kathy Hammond, were recognised with the Basinghall Farm sponsored Victorian Small Breeder Award.

Meanwhile Gilgai Farm and Woodside Park’s Written Tycoon took out their respective Champion Breeder and Champion Sire for the second year in a row.

TBV is very grateful to the eleven sponsors of the 2017 Victorian Breeders Awards. We strongly encourage TBV members to use their products and services.

2016/2017 VICTORIAN BREEDERS AWARDS – WINNERS

AVENEL EQUINE CLINIC CHAMPION VICTORIAN BREEDER – GILGAI FARM

  • This is the second year in a row Gilgai has won this award.
  • The successful group of thoroughbreds bred at Gilgai Farm in the 2016/2017 racing season included Caulfield Cup winner Jameka, Group 2 winner The Quarterback and Group 3 winner Supido.
  • Gilgai also bred Lucky Bubbles who won the Group 1 Chairman’s Sprint Prize in Hong Kong.

Avenel Equine Hospital’s Katie Wilcox presents the Champion Victoria Breeder Award to Gilgai Farm’s Kelly Skillecorn (Brett Holburt-Racing Photos)

IRT CHAMPION VICTORIAN SIRE – WRITTEN TYCOON (WOODSIDE PARK)

  • In the 2016/17 racing year the progeny of Written Tycoon earned almost $7.8 million.
  • Written Tycoon had 6 stakes winners in total including Group 1 Tatts Tiara winner Tycoon Tara
  • He is the reigning IRT Champion Victorian Sire and receives this award for the second time.
  • He made Victorian history at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale when a colt by him sold for a Victorian-sired record of $1million.

TBV President James O’Brien presents the IRT Champion Victorian Sire award to Woodside Park’s Matt Tillett (Brett Holburt-Racing Photos)

BASINGHALL FARM LEADING VICTORIAN SMALL BREEDER AWARD (5 mares or less) – GERARD & KATHY HAMMOND

  • The Hammonds bred six individual horses that ran during the past racing season with the best of them being the Group 1 Railway Stakes winner Scales Of Justice
  • Gerard and Kathy Hammond breed from three or four mares every year and have been long-time clients of Nagambie’s Milford Thoroughbreds.

BELMONT BLOODSTOCK CHAMPION VICTORIAN BROODMARE – MINE GAME

  • Mine Game’s progeny were led by the exceptional mare Jameka who claimed two Group 1 wins among other successes.
  • Her son Nikitas claimed a win at the end of the season at Caulfield over 1400 metres while the Salanitri trained gelding Logovardi also contributed to Mine Game’s progeny earnings.

TABCORP CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED HORSE – TYCOON TARA

  • Bred by Tony Krushka, he raced the Peter & Paul Snowden trained six-year-old mare with close family and friends.
  • The now retired Tycoon Tara achieved Group 1 success in the Tatts Tiara after four previous wins in Stakes races.

TABCORP CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED SPRINTER – TYCOON TARA

  • She claimed three Group victories during the first half of the season with her Group 1 pinnacle coming late in the season during the Brisbane Carnival claiming the Group 1 Tatts Tiara.
  • The daughter of Written Tycoon was retired to the breeding barn this season visiting her sire’s barn-mate Zoustar.

EQUILUME CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED MIDDLE DISTANCE HORSE – SCALES OF JUSTICE

  • He was bred at Avenel’s Milford Thoroughbreds by Gerard & Kathy Hammond, and sold through their draft at the 2014 Premier Sale.
  • This past season he won the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes, before taking out the Group 1 Railway Stakes a week later followed by two Group 3 wins later in the season.

BELMONT BLOODSTOCK CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED STAYER – JAMEKA

  • Gilgai Farm bred Jameka’s wins in the 2016/17 racing season included the Caulfield Cup and the BMW Stakes in Sydney.
  • She was trained by Ciaron Maher,

NEWMARKET GRANDWEST CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED TWO YEAR OLD – LIMESTONE

  • The Darren Weir trained Limestone, a daughter of Helmet was a brilliant two-year-old, winning down the Flemington straight at only her second start, before backing up and winning the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview for fillies.

MAGIC MILLIONS CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED THREE YEAR OLD – GLOBAL GLAMOUR

  • The Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm bred Global Glamour, trained by the partnership of Waterhouse and Bott, had outstanding wins in the 2016/17 racing season including the Group 1 Thousand Guineas and the Group 1 Flight Stakes.
  • Global Glamour is a graduate of the 2015 Magic Millions Yearling Sale where she was brought by James Bester for a large and international group of racing ladies.

INGLIS CHAMPION VICTORIAN BRED INTERNATIONAL HORSE – LUCKY BUBBLES

  • Bred by Gilgai Farm, he was sold by Gilgai for $90,000 through the Three Bridges draft at the 2013 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.
  • Since then he has matured into one of Hong Kong’s very best horses claiming his maiden Group 1 victory in the Chairman’s Sprint Prize over 1200 metres

GOLDNERS HORSE TRANSPORT CHAMPION VICTORIAN FIRST SEASON SIRE – SQUAMOSA (SUN STUD)

  • In the 2016/17 racing year, Squamosa’s winners included Tasmanian two-year-old Derasa and New Zealand stakes winner Kiwi Ida
  • Squamosa is a son of Not A Single Doubt who was unbeaten at two and won the Group 3 Run to the Rose as a three year old.

GOLDNERS HORSE TRANSPORT CHAMPION VICTORIAN SECOND SEASON SIRE – HELMET (DARLEY NORTHWOOD)

  • Progeny of Helmet earned in excess of $1.6 million in the 2016/17 racing year.
  • Among his winners were Group 3 2YO winner Limestone and Group 3 Moonee Valley winner Archives.

RACING VICTORIA VOBIS AWARDS

The VOBIS awards are based on earnings of Super VOBIS and VOBIS Gold bonuses as well as prizemoney earned in VOBIS Gold Premier Races.

VOBIS NOMINATOR OF THE YEAR – HESKET BLOODSTOCK

  • Hesket Bloodstock bred horses earned $577,000 in VOBIS bonuses and prizemoney in season 2016/2017.
  • Hesket Bloodstock is a partnership of Ashley Hardwick with Jenny & David Moodie with their operation stationed in the Macedon Ranges.
  • Some of their best performed VOBIS earners this past season included Sword of Light, River Jewel and Limestone.

VOBIS TRAINER OF THE YEAR – DARREN WEIR

  • Darren Weir smashed the records for VOBIS earnings with his horses winning in excess of $1.7 million in VOBIS bonuses and VOBIS prizemoney – a record.
  • He was dominant in the VOBIS Gold Premier Races with horses such as Burning Front, Kiwia, Ken’s Dream and Shamport.

VOBIS HORSE OF THE YEAR – BURNING FRONT

  • The Justin Lovatt homebred son of Primus, Burning Front, became the all-time leading earner of VOBIS dollars this past racing season surpassing Trust In A Gust
  • He has now earned $515,000 in VOBIS dollars as part of his total prizemoney of $1.3 million.
  • His major VOBIS wins in the past season included the VOBIS Gold Star, VOBIS Gold Eldorado and VOBIS Gold Mile

VOBIS OWNER OF THE YEAR – JUSTIN LOVATT

  • Justine is the breeder and managing owner of the iconic front running, crowd loving, VOBIS poster boy, Burning Front trained by Darren Weir.
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New $1 million ‘The Showdown’ race to launch in 2019

Racing Victoria (RV), in association with Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV), has started the countdown to ‘The Showdown’ – a landmark $1 million race to be staged at Caulfield Racecourse in April 2019.

The 1200m event, to be run exclusively for the two-year-old progeny of VOBIS Sires’ nominated stallions, has been named in honour of Victoria’s champion Australian stallion of the 1970s – ‘Showdown’.

Showdown stood at Stockwell Stud at Diggers Rest between 1966 and 1983 where he sired 46 stakes winners (13 at Group 1 level) including Golden Slipper, Blue Diamond, Oaks and Derby winners. He retired from stud duties in 1983 and died at Stockwell Stud in 1985 (where he is buried).

The $1 million The Showdown will become a permanent fixture on the Victorian racing calendar, and will help pave the way for further expansion of the VOBIS Sires program when the $500,000 three-year-old VOBIS Sires (1600m) race commences in 2020.

These two races, in addition to the lucrative VOBIS Gold Premier Race Series already on offer, will by 2020 be worth at least $4.45 million a season. The whole VOBIS program, inclusive of bonuses and prizemoney, will offer more than $20 million.

In making today’s announcement of ‘The Showdown’, RV Executive General Manager – Racing, Greg Carpenter, said the new name would create some excitement within the Victorian racing community and build a sense of anticipation leading into the first ever $1 million The Showdown.

“Making this announcement today helps to reinforce the message of the VOBIS Sires program, and will aid in educating owners and trainers about buying VOBIS Sires progeny now, so that they are eligible to compete for the first ever $1 million VOBIS Sires Showdown race in 2019,” Carpenter said.

“The Showdown is the evolution of forward thinking and planning by Racing Victoria and TBV to reward owners and support the breeders who have put the time and energy into investing in Victorian racing.”

“The name itself also has significant historical links to Victorian breeding, with Showdown being a champion Australian stallion who stood at Stockwell Stud and who produced very classy two-year-old progeny.

 

Trainers Troy Corstens from Malua Racing [left] and Henry Dwyer spa at the launch of the Showdown at North Melbourne Gym on December 05, 2017 in North Melbourne, Australia. (John Donegan/Racing Photos)

“Perhaps we will see a similar record to that of Showdown’s set by some of the 54 VOBIS Sires-nominated stallions, whose progeny will be able to compete in the first running of The Showdown.”

All eligible horses aiming to compete in the $1 million The Showdown must be nominated to both Super VOBIS and VOBIS Gold, and must be the progeny of a VOBIS Sires-nominated stallion.

A total of 54 stallions were nominated to the VOBIS Sires program during 2015, meaning all their 2016 born progeny – provided they are VOBIS Gold and Super VOBIS nominated – will be eligible to compete for the inaugural race in 2019.

The first crop of yearlings to be prepared for the inaugural race will appear at the upcoming 2018 sales, and will be identified by VOBIS Sires logos in the sales catalogues, barn signage and hip stickers.

TBV President, James O’Brien, said: “VOBIS Sires is a further evolution of Victoria’s VOBIS program which supports the State’s critical breeding industry.”

“Victoria’s stallion owners have been great supporters of this scheme with their nomination fees going into the prizemoney of the $1 million Showdown.

“Victoria already has some fantastic sires, but VOBIS Sires and the $1 million Showdown will help take the quality of the stallion roster in this state to a new level.”

Melbourne Racing Club (MRC) General Manager – Racing, Jake Norton, said the club was thrilled to host the first annual running of The Showdown at Caulfield Racecourse on the fifth annual Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday.

“It has been a privilege for the MRC to host the Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday since its inception, and we’re proud to have contributed to its success and growth,” Norton said.

“To think that success now extends to a million dollar race in The Showdown is remarkable, and testament to Racing Victoria’s investment in the day and its commitment to the state’s owners and breeders.

“We look very much forward to setting the stage once again for the 2018 race day, and the inaugural showdown in 2019.”

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