A range of initiatives from the Harness Racing SA Board to increase returns to those actively participating in the South Australian industry has been one of the triggers to an expected hike in foal numbers in the State.
They include the recent introduction of ‘Super Saturday’ race meetings which are restricted to horses who have resided in SA for a prescribed period and promulgated changes to the SA Southern Cross Racing and Breeding Incentive Scheme with eligibility restricted to those active in the breeding sector in the state.
Harness Racing SA CEO Ross Neal stated: “The changes that have been made, and that will continue to be made are singular of purpose, which is to put a greater share of SA generated revenue back in the pockets of those actively contributing to harness racing in the state.”
“The changes being made to the Southern Cross Scheme will clearly reward those investing in breeding standardbreds in the state,” he added.
Mr Neal said that “the Board’s objectives are to grow our breeding numbers in the state and lessen the reliance on interstate acquisitions.”
The changes mooted to the racing and breeding sectors have been welcomed by key industry participants.
Steve Norman, the studmaster and owner of Allenby Lodge stud, said: “The appetite for breeding in SA is coming back. We already have 20 mares booked to Major Secret and we expect that he will cover around 30 mares this season.”
Norman said that he was impressed with the first foals of the former NSW Derby and Vicbred champion.
“We have a couple of cracking weanlings by him. They would be standouts in any group.”
Lee-Ann Pangrazio, who conducts Bolnora Stud, Dublin, the home of Sound System, anticipates having up to 35 mares on her property.
Lee-Ann Pangrazio, manager of Bolnora Stud
“It’s the first time I’ve had those numbers for a few years. I have six mares booked already to Ohoka Punter from BOTRA members taking up the free service offer from Egmont Park.”
Garry and Marlene Fryar, who operate Rivergum Lodge, Buchfelde, one of the largest semen bases in SA, said their clients were breeding to better quality stallions this season.
Gary and Marlene Fryar, owners of well-known semen base Rivergum Lodge
White Star Lodge studmaster Shane Loone, who stands Smoken Up’s sire Tinted Cloud, said the veteran sire served 34 mares last season and 30 were in foal.
“His owner Bob Fowler gave us the horse to encourage new breeders to breed to a proven stallion,” Loone stated.
Loone advocated a later start to the stud season citing that mares cycle better in the warmer weather and breeding later would help keep the costs down for broodmare owners.
Gary Newton, the acting president of SA BOTRA, said: “It’s great we have some confidence here in SA considering the COVID situation any increase in foal numbers would be wonderful. I’m hoping for at least a 10 per cent increase.
“BOTRA with thanks to Kevin and Kay Seymour have around 23 bookings to four-time Group 1 winner Ohoka Punter, all to SA mares.
“Hopefully changes to the Southern Cross scheme will benefit and encourage broodmare owners to breed into the future and encourage studmasters to look at increasing our stallions based here in SA.”
There are seven stallions registered for stud duties in SA this season.
The lineup has been bolstered by Christian Cullen’s millionaire son Gotta Go Cullen, who is now standing at the Howard Stud, Glencoe, of Greg Howard alongside Cullen’s Hope. Gotta Go Cullen has left 40 individual winners in New Zealand and Australia including Oh I Am The One, Chantrey, Royal Counsel, Major League and Pay Me Interest.
Other sires are Cullen’s Legacy (Borg Racing), Alzona (Majestic Lodge), Major Secret (Allenby Lodge), Sound System (Bolnora Stud) and Tinted Cloud (White Star Lodge).