New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association Magazine
Issue 20 - June 2014
MEMBERS’ ISSUE
Conference round - up Profile on Justine McMeeking Life after racing Stud News
Plus much more....
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Complimentary Issue NZSBA Major Sponsors:
New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association
BREEDING MATTERS CONTENTS NZSBA and BRANCH NEWS
FEATURES 6
From Kiely’s Desk
4
Breeding Numbers 10
Chairman’s Corner
5
Harness Jewels Winners
14
North Island Update
13
Profile - Justine McMeeking
18
Southland Update 17
Life After Racing
21
NZ Met Breeders’ Bonus
Harnessworld.org Conference
28
Australia Round-up 24 Don’t Pass On Processed Feeds 26
STUD NEWS Woodlands Stud 23 Nevele R Stud
25
MAGAZINE PRODUCTION Editor John Mooney Typesetting & Design Kiely Buttell Advertising John Robinson Contributors Kentucky Equine Research, Noel Kennard, Lisa Miller, Karen Milne, Trish Dunell, John Robinson, Jill Stockman, Peter Wharton The Statements, figures and tables in this publication are believed to be accurate. No Liability can be accepted for error or omission. No part may be reproduced in any form without permission from the publishers except by a reviewer.
On the cover: The much coveted Harness Jewels colours photo Trish Dunell
FROM KIELY’S DESK It was pleasing to see such a buzz around the PGG Auckland Autumn Weanling and All Age Sale. I had a number of breeders approach me at the “Jewels” to say how bouyed they were about the good prices being fetched for what used to be a fairly ordinary sale.
horses that make it to the track - only 53%. Furthermore our average starts per horse/per season is a measly 8.5.
It was disappointing to see another drop in breeding numbers this year, but not at all suprising. Breeders have been doing it tough for a number of years now, but if the sales results are anything to go by things should be starting to look up.
I’d love to hear from you. Why do you think this starting number is so low - and what is the real cause of wastage? Surely 1000 horses per foal crop can’t all be born with bent legs or are too slow?
Included in this issue is a paper NZSBA tabled for a HRNZ Board meeting setting out the facts and where we sit on a global scale. Wastage is a pet topic of mine. After numerous hours researching the data i’m still astounded at the low numbers of
Research I carried out in 2012 showed that if we could get every horse to start 1 more time, we would be well on the way to meeting our obligations to the Racing Board in terms of field sizes. The average start per horse in Australia is 12 - so there is room to grow.
We are teaming up with Jasmine Tanner, a researcher who also breeds, trains and owns standardbreds, to start to find out the real impact of wastage and how we can address this very real issue.
I had a fabulous day at Cambridge for the 2014 Harness Jewels. Many thanks to JLT Bloodstock for hosting me. I’ve been reading comments that crowd sizes were down this year i’m not sure if the writers actually attended? My experience was a great roaring crowd, electric atmosphere and the weather gods played nice with a stunningly warm day. I spoke to a couple recently emigrated from England - it was the first time they had been to the races. They loved every minute, stayed all day, got a bit sunburnt and vowed to go again soon. Lets hope there were others new to racing there. We certainly turned it on and showcased this great sport of ours.
national executive Chairman - John Mooney (Canterbury) P: 03 347 7212 E: john.mooney@xtra.co.nz
Tony Dickinson (North Island) P: 09 232 1570 E: val-tony@altadreamlodge.co.nz
Treasurer - Colin Hair (HRNZ Rep) P: 03 327 9217 E: colinhair@xtra.co.nz
Cleland Murdoch (Southland) P: 03 230 4499 E: cleland@wmlaw.co.nz
Noel Kennard (Canterbury) P: 03 3479 699
Mark O’Connor (Southland) P: 03 217 6751 E: moconnor@southport.co.nz
Bruce Carter (North Island) P: 09 412 9738 E: carter.fam@xtra.co.nz
4
Breeding Matters June
HRNZ Rep: Colin Hair NZEHA - Dennis Scott NZERF - Bruce Graham
NATIONAL OFFICE Executive Manager: Kiely Buttell Physical Address: 135 Lincoln Road, Addington, Christchurch, 8024 Postal address: PO Box 8270, Riccarton, Christchurch, 8440 Telephone: 03 339 4168 Email: kiely.buttell@vodafone.co.nz
www.harnessracing.co.nz
CHAIRMAN’S CORNER Another Jewels has been held and run with stories of success and heartache. Congratulations to everyone who made it to our championship day of racing. The Jewels is something that we should be very proud of and thank you to all those who made it work. It is a public expression of positivity and confidence in harness racing in New Zealand. Our recent Breeders’ Conference was also positive and forward looking. Monique Cairns from the NZ Racing Board spoke of the challenging but focussed plan they have to reduce long terms costs and increase returns to the industry. They are aiming high in seeking to be part of the entertainment business. Monique shared with us some of the activities to increase wagering and access new markets including wooing the world’s largest VIP punters. We are competing with the casinos for these punters. New products are on the way including a mobile phone application to provide easy access to the TAB betting services. The new Trackside TV arrangements will start in August. Harness racing on Thursday and Friday nights is in for improved coverage. There is a major stream of work around marketing and organising racing events and promotions. Events such as Christmas at the Races keep racing in front of the public. The Board is offering its services to all clubs to improve the marketing of local racing. Monique stressed the need for the industry plans to be consistent. It is of little value to us all if the governance, strategies, marketing and operational plans of the board, the codes and the clubs are not aligned. She thanked HRNZ for leading the way in sharing its plans and looking to improve linkages.
I have listened to and read many Racing Board presentations in the last decade. Many were idealistic and frankly rubbish. Monique gave me and those present confidence that the board and management are trying very hard to deliver what they have promised and that they have a good chance of doing so.
the Met exists. The clubs commercial Edward Rennell gave us a investments are becoming cash comprehensive review of our code’s positive. position in the market. He announced Answering questions about that HRNZ had reached agreement earthquake generated rents and with the two major clubs and the insurance monies Dean spoke of the NZ Sires Stakes Board to consolidate need for the club to have a sustainable Premier racing and Group races business model rather than boom or around four ‘carnivals’ at the Met, bust. The club has increased payments three at Alex Park and the Jewels. to industry by $1 million in the last These 15 meetings are now spaced year. It is committed to maintaining to put Premier racing in front of stakes at double the rate of inflation. punters on a regular basis. Industry Finally, on a pet topic of mine Dean participants will benefit from the was asked about the governance $20,000 minimum stakes, a better arrangements in the code. He rather placement of some races and new diplomatically said that they are $40,000 races for older horses. “unique in today’s environment.” I congratulate Edward, Darrin When linked back to Monique’s talk Williams, the clubs and the Sires at the beginning of the day about Stakes Board for getting this far, but strategic alignment from the Board to there is more to be done. While the the smallest club running one meeting two clubs Cup meetings and the a year, and the themes of the need for Jewels have status and presence improvement and firmly grabbing our there is now an opportunity to market share of the entertainment market, I these remaining meetings to major would go further. sponsors. Three and four group races Our structures for governing our code on a night should provide the quality are inappropriate and out of date. product and the crowd to increase They need to change if even greater sponsorship revenues. benefits and a sustainable future is to In his interview with Michael Guerin, be built on today’s solid foundations. our MC, the Addington CEO Dean This goes to the core of who controls McKenzie updated us on some of programming, the Dates Committee the Met’s plans and progress. In 1999 (should it even exist?), venues and the NZMTC’s revenue was generated boards. But more on that another day. 80:20 racing to commercial. John Mooney Today racing is less than 50 percent of Chairman revenues but 100 percent the reason
harnessworld.org 2014 industry conference by John Robinson
More than 50 prominent breeders and industry officials from around the country attended this year’s Annual Breeders’ Conference which was held at the Hornby Workingmens Club in Christchurch on May 16. Sponsored once again by Noel Kennard’s unique website Harnessworld.org, this was the third edition of an annual conference for breeders and it continues to mould itself into an enjoyable and informative few hours for those who attend. NZSBA Chairman John Mooney touched on this in his opening address, saying that “The aim was to make this year’s Conference more generalised and about the industry,” adding that two of the most pertinent themes are improving stakes and reducing horse wastage. “That whole argument about who is the most important – the owner or the breeder – is pointless, because we are different to the thoroughbred industry; so many of our breeders still have an interest in their horses when they get to the races, it’s something like fifty percent.
“And we are exporters, with anything between 800 to 1000 horses being sold overseas per year. We need to look seriously at supporting the export side of things, but also maintain product numbers at home here at the same time. “Curiously, one of the reasons might be that our harness horses are too good. In a year, on average, our horses race eight times; in Australia they race 12 times each.” HRNZ’s General Manager Edward Rennell provided a list of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) during his presentation of an industry overview of the season to date, with all figures quoted being as at May 12. Consistent with the same period last year were the number of totalisator races staged so far (2276 compared to 2262); total domestic turnover
photos Shelley Caldwell
($193.3m/$193m) and domestic market share (static at 29.7 percent). Marginal positives were recorded in the areas of horses’ total number of starts (24,300/23,697); average field size (10.7/10.5); average starts per horse (8.04/7.58); the amount of races with less than eight starters (244/269); total stakes paid ($24.25m/$23.07m) and total net stakes ($23.78m/$22.76m), while fixed odds turnover showed a substantial increase of nearly 23 percent to $50.5m (from $41.1m as at the same time last season). Rennell reported that the areas of decline included the total number of individual starters (3022/3127); off-course turnover ($127.6m/$135.4m); on-course turnover ($15.2m/$16.5m), and betting on our exported telecasts ($101.9m/$125.3m). “We had very disappointing turnover during the November/December period,” he said. “We just about export every race these days, and even taking into consideration the exchange rate of 14 percent our turnover on these is still down 18 percent.” Rennell went on to say that the key issues facing the industry at present included: • Participation numbers (less horses racing more often, plus
John Mooney, opening the 2014 Conference
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•
•
•
breeding numbers continuing to be alarming and therefor HRNZ was exploring initiatives with the NZSBA); Funding (with the preliminary NZRB funding for 2014/15 being projected at $40.5m as opposed to this season’s $39.6m – the surplus to be targeted at increasing stakes and decreasing costs); Internationalisation (with the current agreement between the NZRB, the three codes here and Tabcorp being due to expire on July 31 next year – so from a NZ perspective the key aim is to increase reciprocity); The export of NZ harness racing (the current decline to Australia being largely driven by exchange rate variations and a stronger NZ dollar – and France is being considered as a target for our broadcasts); The Business/Strategic Plans (the updated versions of both to be released in draft form to the industry next month); dates (with the 2014/15 calendar being finalised by the NZRB now, resulting in a four percent reduction in scheduled harness races – 2715 compared to 2828); an Age Group/Premier Racing Review and Gaming.
Reviewed in conjunction with the NZ Sires’ Stakes Board, Pyne Gould Guinness, and the Auckland and NZ Metropolitan Trotting Clubs, a new structure of Age Group and Premier Racing to be introduced next season will see eight Premier Meetings run at Addington, six at Alexandra Park, plus the Harness Jewels. There will be a logical amount of space allocated between the Premier
Meetings, meaning that horses will be able to compete at all of them if so desired by their connections. Other factors emanating from the Review include the minimum stakes for races at a Premier Meeting having to be $20,000; the Breeders’ Stakes moving to March, and five new NZSSB events to be introduced – each carrying a minimum stake of $40,000.
Edward Rennell
With regards to Gaming, Rennell said that the level of funding available to the industry from this avenue is significantly less – “so it has to have an impact on stakes”. “The industry is looking to phase itself off this form of funding, in preference to other authorised purposes,” he said. “It’s still a very political issue though, and subject to investigation.” Next to stand up before those present was HRNZ’s Commercial Development Manager Pete Ydgren, who outlined HRNZ’s Communications Review and gave an insight into their immediate plans. The Harness Racing Weekly and HRNZ Marketing Departments are to merge, and the current magazine that gets mailed out every seven days will now change to a monthly publication focussing on the industry – but at the same time an electronic version of the weekly magazine will still be available online and be “racing focussed”. “The benefit to breeders will be more content, by more contributors, and more independence ,” Ydgren said, resulting in better promotion of breeding as a whole to the wider industry.
Pete Ydgren Monique Cairns, the NZRB’s Executive General Manager – Strategy & Transformation, said during her presentation that the NZ Racing Board was now “moving into Year Two of our five-year strategy”. Cairns outlined the need to “constantly adapt to changing internal and external headwinds”, saying that her Board and Management are committed to executing the corporate strategy which includes showing a surplus of between $160-$180 million; growing stakes by 50 percent; growing returns to owners by the same amount;
registering a 30 percent increase in turnover from new markets and projects, and having an operational cost/income ratio of less than 30 percent. “We’ve got a portfolio of 20 key initiatives to support our strategy,” she said, “seven of which were prioritised for implementation during the current season.” These included digitising the business (the launch of Watch & Bet live streaming for TAB account holders through Apple and PC devices) ; strategic retail growth (three new locations opened); product innovation (the launch of Triple Trio); broadcasting (last month’s transition from Freeview to SKY channels being “favourable” with customers, with over 6000 already signed up to SKY plus a relocation of their Avalon Studios to Auckland underway); their VIPs, and Government relations (with strategies to address the issue of betting ‘leakage’ to overseas companies already underway). “There’s also a need to address longstanding issues at the same time, such as racing and betting losing relevance, a decline in core domestic product, and competition from offshore operators,” Cairns said.
She went on to say that the industry has avoided making the hard decisions, and that increased funding has shielded it. “Historically, industry initiatives have not delivered and we have an ageing infrastructure. “Change is inevitable,” she added. Cairns used a ‘Value Chain’ example, outlining that fewer foals eventually led to smaller field sizes and hence lower turnover, lower stakes and a lack of profitability. In closing, Cairns said that what the NZRB needs or wants from people in harness racing is an input into our industry’s long-term vision; the willingness to embrace change to deliver a sustainable future for the industry, and the realisation that the “lines of communication” are always open. Next behind the rostrum was wellknown trainer/driver Ken Barron, who was very entertaining and didn’t pull any punches during a Q&A session with ‘MC’ Mick Guerin. As a major buyer at the Yearling Sales, Barron was quizzed about the sort of things he looks for in a horse and what advice he’d give breeders in that respect.
“Thanks to artificial insemination, these days you can virtually breed to any stallion in the world,” he said. “But if your yearling isn’t by one of the top four or five sires, you’re not in the race.” However, Barron was quick to say that he still likes to assess an individual on its merits before considering its bloodlines. “My owners look at the page in the catalogue – I look at the horse,” he said, adding that some of his and former training partner John Lischner’s best horses over the years were by nondescript and ‘unfashionable’ stallions, with Georgetown (Washington VC) and Bradshaw (Clever Innocence) being but two examples he mentioned. Barron believes that “slowly but surely, we’re becoming Americanised”. “Our handicapping, our stakes, and the structure of our industry – they’re all geared towards two and 3-year-old racing,” he said. “And it’s a fact: a horse’s earning ability reduces dramatically once it turns four on August 1, so people are always trying to buy early-maturers.
From left to right: Monique Cairns; Ken Barron and Dean McKenzie
“If a breeder’s got a family that tends to take time – go to a stallion that leaves them early and it’ll speed up the process.” Barron candidly admitted that had it not been for the ‘trading’ side of his business, the fees he charges for training would hardly cover costs and he’d probably operate at a loss each season. “I’ve spent over a decade selling horses, with anything between 12 and 20 going overseas each year; last year alone, I sold eight of my own. “That’s where most of the money is in it for me – that’s how I pay my mortgage,” he said. From an industry point of view, Barron said it was “crucial” that a couple of things are changed as soon as possible. “Like handicapping – we’re underutilising the conditions,” he said. “We know there’s too many racetracks, and too much leakage of horses overseas. Well, how about categorising horses? There’s no reason why we couldn’t have A, B and C grades within each class. “Stakes is not the ‘magic bullet’ answer that everyone thinks it is. “In Australasia, the two venues that pay the most stakes are Auckland and Menangle – yet they’ve got the least amount of horses racing there.” Barron addressed the issue of falling broodmare numbers, but sees it as positive, saying the spinoff is better mares being used, better stallions getting chosen and a better product as a result. “I’d be surprised if the five hundred or so that we’ve lost are from the top end,” he offered.
“Figures show that there’s more horses getting to the track, even though there’s less mares being bred from.” Following a panel of open discussion where the guest speakers answered questions from the floor, this year’s Breeders’ Conference was concluded with Addington Raceway’s Dean McKenzie having a sit-down discussion with Guerin as to what his organisation was doing for owners and the industry.
“The only intention of our Club is to generate more revenue to put back into the game.” One common view of all the guest speakers was that the governance of harness racing at an HRNZ Board Level needs to be looked at.
McKenzie said that Addington had a five-year Strategic Plan that had been underway since October 2012, and in a nutshell the 200-plus page report’s main aim is to produce twice the Consumer Price Index (CPI) every year. “Considering that we hold 20 percent of racing at our venue, plus the biggest race of any Code in the country, if racing at Addington is strong then it’s got to be dragging harness racing in the right direction,” he said. “In 1999, 80 percent of our income came from racing and 20 percent of it came from other business ventures; these days, it’s 49 percent and 51 percent.
Above: MC Michael Guerin
Industry Panel from left to right: Edward Rennell, Martin Burns, Pete Ydgren, John Mooney
breeding numbers 2013/14 season
by Kiely Buttell
Breeding numbers in the 2013/14 season continued the trend of recent years with a further decline to a total of 3,010 mares served (2841 individual mares). This paper further analyses the numbers and compares it with other countries. NZSBA is naturally disappointed with the numbers and will continue to work with industry bodies and breeders to reverse this decline. While the decline in absolute numbers is concerning, of greater concern is the continuing high level of wastage. Around 50% of horses bred never get to race. The average service fee of $6,000, plus vet costs, stud handling fee, and agistment charges of a further $1500 means the annual wastage cost to breeders is approximately $11m. How to reduce wastage will be a continued focus of the NZSBA.
The Trends
Over the last decade Standardbred Breeding in New Zealand and Australia as well as North America has been in decline. There are a myriad of reasons for this decline; the global economic downturn, more entertainment opportunities, lack of public relevance, increasing costs, micro shifts of population (from farms to town) the list goes on. Evidence suggests that it is the smaller ‘hobby’ breeders that are exiting, rising breeding costs being cited as the number one reason along with declining stake levels (New Zealand breeders’ race approximately 50% of all horses).
10 Breeding Matters June
Overall Breeding Numbers
Numbers for the 2013/14 season have now been received, albeit there are a few returns still outstanding for some stallions that only served a few mares. Overall the total number of mares served was 3,010 down from 3,223 in the 12/13 season. This represents a decline of 6.6%. Over the last 10 years New Zealand has seen its breeding numbers drop by 28%. There was a slight increase in the 2007/2008 season, when the industry was confident, turnover was strong and stakes higher than at present. In Australia breeding numbers have declined by 33% over the same period, Australia is facing the same economic issues as New Zealand exacerbated by a less engaged breeding industry. North America has seen the biggest drop in numbers, nearly half (47%) of their breeding stock has reduced since 2004.
Analysis of Numbers
New
Zealand
The decline in 13/14 is more pronounced in pacers than in trotting mares. Pacers have declined 7.1% to 2,398, while trotting mares have only declined 4.6% to 612. Trotters now represent 20% of the total, compared to 16% 5 years ago.
Pacers
By numbers Bettor’s Delight bred 249 mares, followed by Auckland Reactor with 212, and Mach Three with 160. Five years ago Bettor’s Delight bred 329 mares, followed by Mach Three with 223 and Live or Die with 195. In the 2013/14 season the top 10 stallions served 61% of the mares, which was the same as five years ago. The top three advertised service fees were: (2008/09 figures in brackets) • Bettor’s Delight $12,500 ($9,000 • Somebeachsomewhere $12,500 (n/a) • Christian Cullen $12,000 ($25,000) The average service fee for the top 10 pacing stallions was $7,234, compared to $8,949 five years ago. If Christian Cullen is removed from the 08/09 numbers, the average becomes $7,115.
Trotters
In the 13/14 season 160 mares were bred to Majestic Sun, followed by Monarchy with 51 and The Pres with 50. Five years ago Sundon bred 119 mares, followed by Monarchy with 115 and Great Success with 64. The top 10 stallions served 70% of the mares compared to 81% five years ago. The top three advertised service fees were: • Love You $10,000 ($7,500) • Muscles Yankee $9,000 (n/a) • Angus Hall $6,500 (n/a).
The average service fee for the top 10 trotting stallions was $4,184 compared to $2,752 five years ago. The 160 mares served by Majestic Sun, the highest ever by a trotting stallion, at a relatively high fee for a trotter at $5,000 has affected the average. Sundon, the dominant trotting stallion over the last 10 years stood for $4,500 in 13/14, his highest ever fee. For the previous 5 years his fee was $3,750.
breeding trends in New zealand, australia and north america 10 year trend New Zealand (28% decrease over 10 years)
10 year trend Australia (33% decrease over 10 years)
Year
Total Mares Bred
% increase or decrease
Year
Total Mares Bred
2013/14
3010
6.6%
2013/14
not available
2012/13
3223
3.2%
2012/13
5943
9.5%
2011/12
3329
5.7%
2011/12
6572
6.9%
2010/11
3532
11.1%
2010/11
7060
11%
The standardbred wastage report has recently been updated by NZSBA to look for improvements in the utilisation of our foal crops.
2009/10
3974
1.6%
2009/10
7942
0.2%
2008/09
3911
8.4%
2008/09
7964
1.7%
2007/08
4269
5.4%
2007/08
7830
0.4%
2006/07
4052
0.4%
2006/07
7796
12.8%
A positive sign has been the reduction in the percentage of each foal crop that are ‘wasted’. Although we are breeding less we are utilising the horses we have at a greater rate.
2005/06
4070
3.7%
2005/06
8942
1.4%
2004/05
4228
2004/05
8814
Wastage
10 year trendNorth America (47% decrease over 10 years)
The report also shows an upward trend in horses racing more often as the table bottom right shows. The core problem however still remains. Further research is needed on wastage figures. The industry needs to understand what causes wastage. There will always be a percentage of the foal crop that is born with defects, die at an early age or suffer accidents that will impinge on racing viability. Historically trainers make tougher judgements on fillies even though there are plenty of opportunities for racing amongst their own sex. We need to understand the percentage of horses that are deemed unviable for non-injury related reasons and identify solutions to address this.
% increase or decrease
Year
Total Mares Bred
% increase or decrease
2013/14
12,898
10.3%
2012/13
14,374
9.4%
2011/12
15,871
5.4%
2010/11
16,771
4.6%
2009/10
17,589
9.0%
2008/09
19,328
7.0%
2007/08
20,780
3.6%
2006/07
21,550
7.2%
2005/06
23,217
5.0%
2004/05
24,458
Wastage figures (Note the figures for 2010 onwards have not been included as they only show two and three-year-old figures which skew the results)
% of foal crop wasted % males % females
1995 61% 56% 67%
2000 59% 54% 63%
2005 53% 48% 59%
% raced 20 or more times
36%
42%
43%
nzsba supporting breeders Breeders’ Bonuses
Since the NZSBA was revitalised in 2008 a wide range of initiatives have been put in place to support, educate, advocate for and recognise the New Zealand breeder; these include:
Information • •
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Education
Successfully negotiated a $500 breeders bonus with NZ Metropolitan Trotting Club Amberley and Methven Trotting Clubs to also adopt a bonus scheme.
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National Awards - 1 ‘mini’ NZ Cup; 15 Certificates of Recognition to Cup Horses; 36 Group race trophies Breeders’ names in race books and on HRNZ results
Advocacy • • •
Annual Conference with 75 – 100 attendees Regional forums Positive relationship with HRNZ and information sharing via Breeders’ Liaison sub committee
looking
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Positive relationship with NZ Racing Board’s Industry Liaison team
Sustainability •
Recognition
Annual Register of Standardbred Stallions Breeding Matters – quarterly publication sent to all breeders, license holders and club secretaries. New Industry issue sent to all owners, breeders, trainers and key industry participants. Regional events – stallion expo & social functions Hospitality and information marquee at the PGG Wrightson Yearling sales (North Island) Development of Breeding Qualifications and short courses with Primary ITO
Founding Strategic Partner
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Life After Racing – promoting new careers for ex-racehorses, working to get standardbreds recognised at Horse Of The Year (New Zealand’s most prestigious horse event) Exploring research topics – wastage and semen quality Mares racing – “Golden Girls” and regional mares series Foal Alert – matching orphan foals with foster mares Generation Harness – engaging with younger participants
north island update As we head into the Winter months a chance to reflect on the last six months.
Yearling Sales
Congratulations to the North Island vendors on the much improved preparation and presentation of the yearlings. The sale did however once again highlight the need by vendors to present yearlings with a good CURRENT pedigree, good size and conformation, and be well prepared and presented. Another aspect that has to be added to this list is: to have a common sense reserve on your product, if you genuinely have your yearlings there to sell. There was a good market for yearlings that ticked the boxes, it’s all about coming up with the product required. The NISBA marquee was very popular and hospitality was enjoyed by NISBA members, New Zealand & overseas buyers alike.
NISBA Awards
Our congratulations to the following NI breeders who received awards at the recent NISBA AGM: Group & Listed winners 2012-2013 Charles Roberts, Brian & Heather Hedger & G.C Sweeney, Alabar (NZ) Ltd, Stavros Kolovos, Derek Moore, Woodlands Stud Ltd, Gary Allen, Bryan Macey, Alta Breeding Co Ltd and Breckon Bloodstock Ltd Gold Pin Performances 2012-2013 Charles Roberts, Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd, W.R & Est K.L Callaghan, R.L Kennedy, Bruce Carter Bloodstock Ltd, L.W Ridge & Mrs M.E Slagter, Ms W Foley & P.W Smith & Studholme
Bloodstock, Steve & Ann Phillips, Alta Breeding Co Ltd, Breckon Bloodstock Ltd, Alabar (NZ) Ltd, Chris & Tina Barlow, Tony & Anne Parker, Brian & Heather Hedger & G.C Sweeney, G.F Gimblett, A.S Lowe & Mrs A.E MacFarlane, Keith & Rob Gibson
Racing
The inaugural running of the Charles Roberts NISBA Stakes for 4yo and older mares was held at the Auckland Trotting Club meeting on the 28th February, and we congratulate the connections of Averils Quest on her success in this event. We thank Charles Roberts and his family for their sponsorship of this event in conjunction with NISBA. During the last few months a lot of Group, Listed and Feature races have been run and the following were bred by NI breeders, congratulations to you all (apologies if I have omitted any). Adore Me, On A Promise, Ideal Belle, Linda Lovegrace, Alta Orlando, Katy Perry, No Doctor Needed, Elios, Lets Elope, Besotted, Prince Fearless (T), Superbowlcheerleader (T), Sky Major The 2014 Harness Jewels have recently been run and we congratulate the NI Breeders of Jewels Champions Adore Me (the first three home in this race were NI bred) and Sky Major.
Weanling Sale
The recently held PGG Wrightson NI Autumn Weanling & Mixed Stock Sale was very strong which was a surprise to many on the day looking for a bargain! It was a good result for
by Jill Stockman the NI breeders who supported the Sale. The timing of the Sale seemed to work very well being on the day before the Jewels race meeting, there were a large number of visitors from the South Island and Australia in attendance. Congratulations to Alabar (NZ) Ltd for their record sale of $75,000, for the weanling colt full brother to Isaiah. It was also heartening to see some of the older broodmares in the catalogue selling for good money. As the new breeding season approaches now is the time to think about your pregnant mares nutrition, vaccination and worming programme, as she enters her last trimester. Also ensure your mares feet are trimmed up well before foaling or her departure to the stud. A future champ is just waiting to be born!
North Island Committee President: Bruce Carter Vice-President: Tony Dickinson Vice-President: Rob Carr Secretary: Coralee Carr Committee Tina Barlow Karen Breckon Jack Moore Cathie Shaw Jill Stockman Scott Yarndley
The Harness Jewels Win TWO-YEAR-OLDS RA & JV Yarndley 2YO Diamond
Winner: SUPERSONIC MISS, 1:54.1 Last 800m/400m: 57.2, 28.1 Breeders: Roger Bazley Syndicate Owners: Butterworth Racing Syndicate, MacLean Family Syndicate, Kaos Syndicate, Kevin & Dale Riseley Breeding: Mach Three - Bella Joy One of two Jewels winners on the day for her co-owners, the Butterworth Racing Syndicate, Supersonic Miss worked forward from her second-line draw and had to sit parked for the last half but was still too strong to the wire, pulling away easily to give her sire Mach Three one of his two Jewels victories during the afternoon.
Christian Cullen 2YO Emerald
Winner: BEAUDIENE BOAZ, 1:54 Last 800m/400m: 57.5, 28.9 Breeder: David Kennedy Owners: Lincoln Farms Ltd, Ian Middleton, Denis James, Michael Brereton, Brian Rabbitt Breeding: Badlands Hanover - Beaudiene Babe The fireworks were just about to start when Mighty Flying Major made it a fizzer with his gallop heading into the final turn, extinguishing the chances of Say My Name and the unbeaten favourite Follow The Stars. Beaudiene Boaz, by Badlands Hanover out of the In The Pocket mare Beaudiene Babe, popped off a three-deep spot on the fence turning for home to grab Bettor Spirits right on the line.
New Zealand Home Loans 2YO Ruby
Winner: MONBET, 1:56.6 Last 800m/400m: 58.7, 28.8 Breeders: Greg & Nina Hope Owners: Greg & Nina Hope, Morrie Molloy Breeding: Love You - Diedre Darling A son of the Sundon mare Diedre Darling, Monbet did it the hard way sitting parked but still recorded the fastest of the three trotting Rubies on the day. He was the top of a very notable ‘trifecta’ of sorts for trainers Greg and Nina Hope, because they lined up three horses on the day and walked away with a second (Helena Jet) and third (Mossdale Conner) as well.
14 Breeding Matters June
ners Cambridge 2014 THREE-YEAR-OLDS Dunstan Feeds 3YO Diamond
Winner: VENUS SERENA, 1:52.1 Last 800m/400m: 55.6, 26.6 Breeders: Bob & Jenny Sandford Owners: Bob & Jenny Sandford, Geoff Dunn Breeding: Mach Three - Inspiring Dash Venus Serena produced a truly outstanding performance to capture her second Jewels trophy, because the daughter of Mach Three was never closer to the marker pegs than three-wide or parked the entire trip, yet she still gunned down the leader Ideal Belle with a sizzling last quarter and also wiped nearly a second off her own national mile record.
Waikato Master Plumbers 3YO Emerald
Winner: SKY MAJOR, 1:52 Last 800m/400m: 56, 27.9 Breeder: Brian & Heather Hedger, Greg Sweeney Owners: Clear View Racing No.4 Syndicate, Anzac Racing Syndicate, Katrina Purdon, Trevor Casey, John Lohman, Terry Henderson Breeding: Art Major - Sky Beauty Just like Venus Serena, Sky Major defended his Jewels title of 12 months earlier and came from four back on the outer to run down a Purdon/ Rasmussen representative in the process – something which few can do when the big money’s up. Furthermore, driver Zac Butcher never touched him with the whip as he steered home his second Jewels winner for the day.
Mediaworks 3YO Ruby
Winner: KING DENNY, 2:00.1 Last 800m/400m: 58.8, 28.4 Breeders: Dennis Bennett & Linda Joyce Owners: Butterworth Racing Syndicate Breeding: Majestic Son - A Touch Of Sun Similar to the tactics adopted on Supersonic Miss, Mark Purdon sat parked with the Majestic Son gelding King Denny and was too strong – although the outsider Monseigneur did give the favourite a fright close to the line as the big boy Sir George Grey rolled into third.
photos courtesy of Trish Dunell
FOUR-YEAR-OLDS NRM Evolve 4YO Diamond
Winner: ADORE ME, 1:53.1 Last 800m/400m: 56.4, 27.2 Breeders: Charles Roberts Owners: Charles Roberts, Paul and Mary Kenny Breeding: Bettor’s Delight - Scuse Me Like equine poetry in motion, the hottest favourite of the day got things underway when she eventually rolled to the top and was once again in a league of her own, sailing away to record win number 19 of her 24-start career and tip the bank balance over the $880,000 mark.
NRM Asset 4YO Emerald Winner: FRANCO NELSON, 1:53.1 Last 800m/400m: 56.6, 28.5 Breeder: Spreydon Lodge Ltd Owners: Clive, Rona and Sharon McKay Breeding: Christian Cullen - Notafella Franco In the closest finish of the day, the Christian Cullen-Notafella Franco entire Franco Nelson shrugged off a second-line draw and a tough trip three and four-wide inside the last 800 metres to power home centre track and grab Major Star and bookend the 2014 Jewels Meeting for favourite punters.
Montana Catering Ltd 4YO Ruby
Winner: SHEEMON, 1:57 Last 800m/400m: 57.7, 28.8 Breeders: Steve and Barbara Moffatt, Bill and Helen Bishop Owners: Margaret Townley, Hayley Wall Breeding: Monarchy - Solar Fire It wouldn’t seem fitting if the country’s leading reinsman didn’t play a part on Jewels Day, but in the end Dexter Dunn grabbed two – this the first one of them, as the Monarchy son Sheemon sat ‘pat’ three-back on the outer until the final bend and then needed all his reserves to haul in a gallant Doctor Bones who’d sat parked for the last lap.
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southland update Congratulations to Jan Holms and Brendan Fahy who were honoured with a life membership to the Southland Standardbred Breeders’ Association (SSBA) at a function held at Ascot Park Hotel in early April. Both were surprised to be awarded life membership but very thrilled that their years on the committee were recognised. Jan Holms has served on the committee of SSBA for 27 years; in this time she heard many people talking of their successes in harness racing, something that eluded her. Jan always said to the committee “all I want to do is win a race so I can get a dress rug”. The committee took heed to Jan’s request and in 1996 when she retired from her position as secretary was presented with a dress rug with her name on it. She held the position of secretary for 8 years. Jan bred and raced horses for 25 years or more before she had her first winner, which was Gutsell in 2001. Since then she has won with Mussulman (2003), Maginnes Magee (2008) and Jocasta(2013).
by Karen Milne successful breeder and owner over a number of years, with his foundation mares being Sentimental Reason and Sentimental Belle. These two mares and their progeny have produced 27 individual winners for 65 wins in New Zealand. Brendan has bred and raced horses of the calibre of Stands to Reason (Group 1 Sires Stakes Final), Rakanra, Rakalees, Rakarebel, Rakabolt and his present stable star in Raksdeal. Brendan joined SSBA after being approached by the late “Ossie” Hunter (also a life member) to join the committee, as they needed to bring in younger members with new bloodlines. He served one term as president during his 29 years on the SSBA committee and states that he is not ready to be retired yet as the SSBA meetings are enjoyable and you gain a wealth of knowledge there. He was appointed to the NZ Sires Stakes Board – a position he thoroughly enjoyed. Brendan is also on the committee of the Southland Harness Awards, Caduceus Club, Oaks and Supremacy and Wyndham HRC.
At present she is racing Jag’s Invasion and looking forward to Jelly Bean starting his racing career. The pickings have been lean for Jan, but she loves the industry and is looking forward to the day when she owns a star. Brendan Fahy – from Cape Reinga to Bluff, B J Fahy is well known to many. Brendan has been a very
Southland Committee President: Murray Brown Vice President: Mark O’Connor Secretary: TBA
Graeme Cooney Brendan Fahy Jan Holms Malcolm Hunter David Kennedy
Brent McIntyre Brendon McLellan Alex Milne Bathan Muir Cleland Murdoch
John Price Roger Price John Stiven Ailsa Smaill
goHarness syndication – the fun and affordable way to enjoy Racehorse Ownership – same excitement, fraction of the cost!
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out of the rubble, new breeders emerge by John Robinson
Everyone knows that the Christchurch Earthquakes have changed the lives of Cantabrians forever. Loved ones lost… whole streets deserted… a city now barely recognisable from the face it once was – and the cruel irony is that those few seconds of terror will take years to fix, even longer to forget. Justine McMeeking and her fiancé Kurt McNamara have experienced this unprecedented drama from both sides of the fence. The couple both work at the Southern Regional Office of Vero Insurance, which is located in Christchurch, Justine as the Sales Manager and Kurt being the Business Development Manager for commercial insurance. So they’ve had to deal with the angst of their customers during a stressful last few years, but from a personal point of view they also lost their own home on the hill in Redcliffs as a result of the quake on February 22, 2011. Justine’s father and step-mother Bob and Norma McMeeking took off on an overseas holiday soon after that, so she and Kurt seized the opportunity to house-sit their Kirwee home while they were away for six weeks. “They were going to New York to see Itz Cherry Ripe race,” Justine said, referring to a mare that the McMeekings bred and raced in New Zealand for nine wins before selling her to the States. “So it worked out well, really.”
www.goHarness.co.nz 18
Breeding Matter June
And as Justine puts it, as soon as they got a taste for the country air – there was no turning back.
“We were city dwellers,” she exclaimed, almost amazed at what she’d been missing out on all that time. “But we loved it, and once Dad and Norma got back from their holiday we rented a house in the Kirwee Village for a couple of years. “Living just down the road from them really opened our eyes up. Dad and Norma are very hands-on with their horses, and that’s the best way to be. “Even things like shovelling up the horse poo – a lot of people would call that a chore, but we don’t see it that way… you’re out there in the fresh air, getting exercise, and being amongst your babies. “It’s very special.” Justine’s parents have been breeding horses for over three decades, every single one of them being a direct descendant of their first horse Adenwin. She was a daughter of Out To Win that they raced on lease from their dear friend Nola Aspinal, and went on to become the couple’s foundation mare as she and her daughters have sent forth all the horses carrying Bob and Norma’s very recognisable ‘Itz’ moniker. Itz Cherry Ripe is probably the best of them, and to this day she’s actually still winning in America where she’s taken a mark of 1:51.4. Now 10 years old, Itz Cherry Ripe’s latest salute was at Harrington Raceway on May 27 where she took her career record to 35 victories, 45 seconds and 25 thirds from 203 appearances, good for US$538,949 in stakes. During 2011 and 2012, quite a few horses that the McMeekings had bred just happened to be racing around the same time as each other, so now that they were neighbours it became a regular occurrence for Justine and Kurt to head down to Bob and Norma’s to watch Trackside and cheer them on. Both Norma and Justine are superstitious, so if you knocked on the door during one of these evenings you’d find the four of them in the same place every time. “Yes we’ve all got our seats – and you weren’t allowed to change,” Justine laughs.
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“My spot was on the floor, lying in front of the television; but I’m quite analytical during a race, and I like to be close so that I can see what’s going on.
FIND A PRODUCT
“There was a period there for a while when Dad and Norma’s horses were either winning or getting placings most weeks.
... plus so much more!
“So, over a couple of gins one night, Kurt and I started thinking ‘this looks pretty easy’ – and asked if we could use one of their mares and breed a horse ourselves.” The McMeekings have about four mares at their disposal most seasons, but usually only breed from two, so were delighted to help out the younger couple – the icing on the cake being when Justine and Kurt asked if they could continue using the ‘Itz’ tag as well when it came to naming them. They borrowed Itz All About Me, a racewinning full-sister to Itz Cherry Ripe, and put her to Bettor’s Delight to get Itz Risky Business who’s about to turn two years old and is showing promise with Mark Jones. As it’s turned out, Itz Risky Business is the year-younger full-brother of this season’s juvenile Itz Bettor To Win; Bob and Norma bred the latter, and the colt looks very promising considering that the first two starts of his career yielded wins in the Kindergarten Stakes and a Sires’ Stakes Heat.
though, so it’s time to sit back and enjoy their newfound hobby. Following in the hoofsteps of Itz Risky Business was a weanling full-sister named Itz Allabout Stellar, which sadly had to be put down a month ago after suffering from a twisted intestine and ruptured stomach, and they’ll be ‘parents’ for a third time when Itz Prahda Dahling gives birth to an Art Major foal early in the new season. “We’re so excited about having one in work and can’t wait for him to get to the races,” Justine says, although her joy is still tinged with the sadness of their recent loss. “The death of our weanling was devastating. You can become so attached to your horses, and you really start to appreciate what it’ll mean to actually get one to the races. “We’re going to start looking at breeding two a year now, because I’ve come to the realisation that it’s always better when they have a buddy.
“Dad and Norma are just great, we couldn’t have done it without them. They’ll come over and help with anything; and in fact, that’s something I’ve noticed about everyone we’ve met in this industry – people are just so helpful.” By her own admission Justine says she’s “thirsty for knowledge” when it comes to harness racing, and if she had the time she’d probably even consider getting into the training or driving side of things – “yeah, just show up at Mark’s every day for a month and say, ‘teach me’.” All aspirations aside, she and Kurt are just happy to keep their feet on the ground – or grass for that matter – more than content with the country lifestyle they now find themselves living. “This is so totally different to what we do every day at work – it’s great! “You get into your comfort zone in life, and in our case I suppose you could say it took a seismic shift to change all that.”
Of course, if you’re going to start breeding horses you need somewhere to put them, and Justine and Kurt solved that problem by purchasing a seven and a half acre property in Ohoka 14 months ago. It hasn’t exactly been plain sailing to this point though, because the land contained nearly 1000 olive trees; 200 still remain to this day, but the 700 or so which were cut off two feet above the ground had to be painstakingly removed. The couple are pretty happy that the property’s ‘horse friendly’ now
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Breeding Matters June
Justine McMeeking (holding Itz All Upto Denzel) and Kurt McNamara (Itz Prahda Dahling) at their Ohoka property.
NORTH ISLAND STANDARDBRED ASSOCIATION (nisa) SEASON ROUND UP The 2013/2014 season has been a bit of an up and down one, with numbers down at some A&P shows and numbers up at other shows, but with new faces coming onto the scene we hope that this will boost the numbers at A&P shows and in other disciplines. Some of our members have ventured out into different sections at the A&P shows. Elaine Van Den Berg has been competing her horse Regal Cullen in Saddle Hunter classes around the Auckland area with good results and with some positive feed back from the judges. Another of our members Amanda Burton and her horse Change of Pace have been doing extremely well competing in the Pleasure Horse Sections at A&P shows and local shows in the lower North Island with several Champion and Reserve champion wins to their names. Melanie Suhr and her horse Ebony Express was reserve champion for the Waiteamata dressage non registered member’s season accumulator for level 1 and have also won champion jumper at ribbon days. Claire Madden and her team of horses have been competing in many different disciplines this season. Her horse Major Ouch has
been winning on the race track as well as in the show ring and has also been competing in endurance. Claire’s other horse Zanskar has been competing in a range of disciplines from showing, dressage, jumping, to eventing with several wins and placings. Zoe Cobb’s horse O’sheas has been winning in the show ring and competing in show hunter, ribbon days and has also taken a five-year-old rider to pony club. Several other members have also been out competing their standardbreds in jumping, dressage, eventing, endurance, pony club, show hunter and CTR, with wins and placings in a range of different events, proving just what a well rounded and versatile breed these horses are. Our annual Championship show was held at the Kumeu trotting track on the 30th March and saw a record number of horses attend with 28 horses in attendance. Supreme Champion Inhand went to Zanskar and Brigidene Sporthorses/ Claire Madden and Supreme Ridden Champion went to Cheeky Saint and Angie Shoemack. A huge thank you to the judges, stewards, helpers, supporters and sponsors for helping us to make a wonderful day happen.
by Lisa Miller
NISA also held the Manawatu Ribbon day at the Foxton racecourse on the 13th April; this was a fun day out for both horses and owners with both inhand and ridden sections and games in both of these sections. For any further information about NISA our website www.nisa.co.nz or contact our secretary Lisa Miller nor thislandstandardbredassn@ gmail.com
Pictured on next page: 1) Regal Cullen & Elaine Van Den Berg, Saddle Hunter ring, Clevedon A&P Show ( Photo Christina Bird Photography) 2) Blarneys wee devil and Sarah Lockhart 3) Kennington Chief owned by Lisa Miller, Reserve Champion Standardbred at Taranaki Horse and Pony All Breeds Show 4) O’sheas and Zoe Cobb, Reserve Champion Standardbred at Kumeu A&P show 5) Zanskar and Claire Madden jumping 70cm
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Highview Tommy to stand at woodlands With winter now here, the 2014/15 breeding season is on the horizon. Woodlands Stallion Roster for the 2014/15 season will undergo an exciting change with Millionaire pacer Highview Tommy joining our ranks. The multiple Group One winning son of the sire’s sire Bettors Delight will stand at an introductory fee of NZ$3,000 + GST and in Australia $3,300 GST INC. Highview Tommy was awarded the New Zealand two year old pacer of his freshman year. He was a resilient pacer which won over $100,000 in each racing season from a 2yo to a 7yo. He has all the enduring traits of his World Champion father Bettor’s Delight. Highview Tommy raced against and defeated the best pacers during his career including Sushi
Sushi, Smoken Up, Changeover and plenty of winners and frozen semen Stunin Cullen. We look forward to his will be available again from Crazed whose stock in North America have debut season in 2014/15. now earnt over USD$3,100,000. American Ideal and Bettor’s Delight will return ‘down under’ in August. At the recent Karaka weanling sale The Bettor’s Delight juggernaut on May 30th, Woodlands Stud had continues to roll on. Beautide took out a day to remember when we sold all the Miracle Mile and Interdominion lots consigned on sale day. Bettor’s double this season and he has raised Delight lead the way with his progeny the bar for all free for allers looking in demand all day. Many pundits commented how outstanding the towards next season. Woodlands draft looked and this was Bettor’s Delight has also just recently reflected in the sale day results. broken Fake Lefts record prizemoney won by a stallion in a season in Congratulations to Studmaster Australia. His deeds know no bounds. Kevin Foley and his hard working staff who oversaw the preparation American Ideal is now having a major of the draft. For all Stallion enquires impact in the Southern Hemisphere. and bookings for the coming season His runners to winner’s percentage is please contact Hazel van Opzeeland high and has left a number of Group on 0800 117 883 or 021595492 or One winners this season. Trotting via email nzagent@woodlandsstud. Stallion Pegasus Spur is still leaving co.nz
flaming flutter glows brightly in victoria Flaming Flutter, a Bettor’s Delight four-year-old bred in New Zealand by a Victorian and now owned and trained in Victoria, is regarded as one of the best young pacers in the country. A member of Geoff Webster’s Bannockburn team, the pocketsized dynamo showed up last season as a three-year-old above average when he captured the South Australian Derby and Mildura Guineas. However, this season Flaming Flutter has gone to another level. He has won the Tontine Series, the Boort Pacing Cup and a heat of the Mildura Pacing Cup (2nd in the Final) and finished a close third in the Paleface Adios Stakes at Menangle. From 28 lifetime starts he has won 13 times with 10 minor placings for $169,551 in stakes. “He hasn’t really fulfilled his potential yet; he is always on the improve and he just keeps taking the next step, so I’m sure whatever he does this season he’ll be in the top level without any problems next year,” Webster said. The former Adelaide ace said the Group 2 $50,000 Victorian 4YO and 5YO Championship and the $100,000
24 Breeding Matters June
Breeders Crown were the remaining targets for Flaming Flutter this term. Bred by the 2013 Victorian Breeder of the Year Harvey Kaplan, Flaming Flutter was knocked down to Christchurch horseman Colin De Filippi for $25,000 at the 2011 Australasian Classic Yearling Sale at Karaka. After breaking and qualifying him, De Filippi sold the colt untried as a two-year-old to Geelong identities Ron Anderson, Neil Richmond and Garth Allen, clients of the Webster barn. He is a member of an old-time family, which has been represented by recent winners in Toulouse Lautrec (Vic. Stampede), Mark Dennis (SA Gawler Cup), Balleybofey (WA Northam Cup) and Who Dares Wins,
by Peter Wharton
winner of the Franklin Country Cup. By Bettor’s Delight, champion sire in NZ and Australia, Flaming Flutter is from a capable racemare in Twice As Hot, which won five races, $54,735 in stakes and took a record of 1:59.6. She produced an earlier winner in One Hot Lady but, after foaling Flaming Flutter, was sold privately in foal to Art Major by Kaplan to prominent Riverina breeder Les Johnson, breeder of the 1995 Inter Dominion Grand Final winner Golden Reign. Twice As Hot has since thrown the promising twoyear-old Mister Whittaker (by Somebeachsomewhere), a $110,000 purchase at the 2013 Melbourne APG sale, an Art Major yearling filly which fetched $30,000 at the recent Sydney sale and a Rocknroll Hanover weanling filly.
robinson joins nevele r stud She is currently in foal to ‘Beach’ and will be mated with Bettor’s Delight this year, along with her unraced Art Major daughter, Artistic Lass. Twice As Hot is by In The Pocket from Twice As Good, by Butler B G from the Able Bye Bye mare Princess Nandina, the dam of the champion American filly Pacific 1:53 ($871,550), the winner of 27 races including the USA Breeders Crown and Mistletoe Shalee. Twice As Good, the grand-dam of Flaming Flutter, won five races and held a mark of 1:56.5 and at the stud became the dam of six sub 2:00 winners and four $100,000 earnings. They included the dual NZ Winter Cup winner Waitfornoone 1:55.7 ($201,804), Fight Fire With Fire 1:56 ($151,657), winner of the Franklin Breeders Cup, and the high class Melbourne winners St Barts 1:57 ($162,506) and Mark Dennis 1:56.2 ($131,318). The family then traces through mares by champion sires Tuft, Grattan Loyal and Dillon Hall to the broodmare gem Miss Fortune, which founded a very strong branch of the Lady Ajax tribe to which the top flight performers Van Hall, Blazing Arrow, Free Hall, Peter Profit, Trevira, Fleur De Lil, Miss Galvinator, Flight South and Pullover Brown also belong. Flaming Flutter promises to do this fine family further credit.
John Robinson has accepted a position with Nevele R Stud and will work alongside current Marketing and Sales Manager Nikki Reed in a Sales and Promotions capacity from next season onwards. Robinson brings a wealth of industry experience with him, having worked for the N.Z. Harness Racing Weekly for more than two decades and more recently for Wai-Eyre Farm, where he sold and promoted their stallions for the past three seasons. He joins Nevele R just as the leading Canterbury Stud Farm is doing some ‘joining’ of its own getting together with Alabar to bring champion North American racehorse A Rocknroll Dance down-under for the coming breeding season. In what is uniquely a ‘NZ first’ for the two biggest players in the stud industry here, Robinson says the arrangement highlights Nevele R as being a “go ahead” organisation that isn’t afraid to buck the trend to provide better opportunities for its customers - just like it did when abolishing Working Fees from its on-farm charges last season. “I can’t wait to work for them actually,” he said, adding that he’s looking forward to renewing his association with clients old
and new as the next stud season begins to unfold. “Nevele R is a totally professional outfit which has an awesome portfolio of stallions, and the race results both here and overseas continue to be littered with winners by its sires.” One of the things that Robinson will also be trying to raise the awareness of is Nevele R’s new ‘complete service’ option, which is a novel way to simplify everything required during the first few years of a horse’s life… clients can now have their horses foaled, weaned and raised at Nevele R before they’re old enough to be transferred to the Stud’s sister company, the leading harness racing establishment Spreydon Lodge – where they can then be either prepared for the Yearling Sales, or embark on a racing career under the guidance of highly-regarded trainer Steven McRae. “We look forward to John starting with us this week and believe he will be an integral part of us being able to provide our clients with an even better service,” Nikki Reed said. Robinson is keen to hit the ground running, and can be contacted on 0275 63 83 53 or by emailing john@nevelerstud.co.nz from this week onwards.
don’t pass on processed feeds by Dr Kathleen Crandell In the world of feeds and feeding, processing has become a dirty word among horsemen. The impression that any type of processing is counterproductive, detrimental, or ill-advised is a disturbing trend. Feed processing methods have been researched and developed to help horses, not harm them. What some horsemen do not realize is that the benign practice of baling and preserving hay is a form of processing. So, what has gotten into these pessimists? Humans are deluged with a smorgasbord of tasty treats such as Twinkies and HoHos, but few human nutritionists would consider these healthy. However, processed horse feeds are a far cry from these super processed snacks. Understanding the methods used to process feeds and knowing why they are used will make the idea of feeding processed feedstuffs more savory.
Purpose of Processing
There is no one simple reason for processing feeds, but there is one common goal -- to make the feed better for either the horse or owner. Processing is performed in order to improve the digestibility of a feedstuff, to extend the shelf life of a product, or to make use of some byproducts of the human food industry such as wheat middlings, soybean meal and hulls, rice bran, and beet pulp. Some forms of processing are intended to improve the convenience of a product. For concentrates, processing enables the manufacturer
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to make consistent products. In turn, the products become safer, easier to chew, and more appetizing for the horse. They may also be easier for the horse owner to dish up. Processed forages such as hay cubes or pellets can make the most efficient use of limited storage space, fill in when a hay crop has failed, make it easier to carry feed when traveling, guarantee a consistent intake of nutrients, simplify ration balancing, and help the owner feed horses with problems such as poor teeth or respiratory tract disorders.
Grain and Forage Processing
Grains are processed to increase digestibility. Examples of simple processing methods are cracking and grinding, particularly of corn, which are performed to reduce the size of the particles before the horse has the chance to chew them. Other effective processing methods are crimping, flaking, and rolling of oats and barley. These techniques are designed to open the outer coat of the grain to aid in mastication. Further processing entails adding heat to these techniques to produce steam-rolled barley, steam-flaked corn, super-flaked corn, and ultimately micronizing of any grain. All of these are done to improve the starch digestibility of grains. Sun curing and dehydrating (quick drying) of hays and beet pulp are processing methods designed to reduce the moisture content of roughages so they will not mold. Chopping forages to shorten fiber length, as with chaff, is another form of processing. Although not
commonly used in horse feed manufacturing in the United States, ensiling or anaerobic fermentation of forage to preserve its nutrients is also a form of processing. Haylage and Dengie are ensiled forages.
Feed Processing
Feed processing is least complex when grains are mixed and coated with molasses to create a sweet feed. More elaborate processing can be done to change the entire form of a mixture of feed ingredients, as with pelleting or extruding. In these processes, the ingredients are ground to improve rate of digestion, decrease segregation and mixing problems, and facilitate pelleting or extruding.
Pelleting
Pelleted feeds have become commonplace in the horse feed industry. They provide the same balance of nutrients as sweet feeds but in a more convenient form. Manufacturers can use more cereal grain by-products in pelleted feeds. In the pelleting process, the ingredients are ground to the same particle size, mixed with a pellet binder, and then steam-heated to 180-190° F for about 20 seconds. Next, the mash is pushed through a pellet die of the desired size, cooled, and dried to prevent mold growth. With forage pellets, the forage is dehydrated, ground, mixed with a pellet binder, and then pressed through the die. Die sizes range from 1/8 inch to 5/8 inch or greater,
depending on the purpose of the pellet. Pelleting causes gelatinization of grain starches, making them more available for enzymatic digestion. This is particularly beneficial for pellets made with substantial amounts of ground corn. If only partial gelatinization occurs on the outside of the pellet, then the pellet will look very shiny. This is undesirable and pellets should be rejected if this occurs. Pelleting increases feed digestibility less than 5% in horses with normal teeth. However, there are other advantages that outweigh the slight digestibility benefit. Because the grains are ground to the same size, there is no sorting out of fine ingredients. This makes every pellet the same and guarantees that a horse will not leave less palatable parts of a feed in the trough. Pellets are convenient to handle because they do not get hard to scoop in the winter like a sweet feed. In actuality, it costs more to manufacture a high quality sweet feed than a high quality pellet because of ingredient prices. Pellets can be made from wheat middlings (bran, germ, and all that is left of the wheat grain after removal of the flour) and soy hulls (skin of the soybean), which are fairly economical since they are by-products of other industries. Whole grains, particularly oats, can often be very expensive and the price fluctuates from crop to crop. Some horsemen question the effects of heat treatment on the viability of vitamins and minerals added to the pellet. Heat normally will not affect the minerals because they are inorganic. Vitamins generally come with special gel coatings to
protect them from oxidation and are made to tolerate short bouts with heat. However, if the pelleting process is not done correctly and the pellets become too hot, availability of vitamins and possibly chelated minerals may decrease. Fine ingredients are usually combined into a mixing pellet and then used in sweet feeds. The mixing pellet typically contains the protein sources and the vitamin and mineral premix. The mix blends better if all the ingredients are about the same size. Manufacturers of sweet feeds once had a problem with fine ingredients sifting to the bottom of feed batches, so the mix may have been different in each bag. To combat this problem, molasses became commonplace in sweet feeds. Molasses, combined with the addition of mixing pellets, has resolved all problems associated with fines. Desirable pellets should be relatively long and hard (except for pellets used in special senior concentrates) with good color, uniformity, a dull surface, and few to no fines. When pellets can be handled repeatedly without falling apart, they are considered durable. Durability is an important consideration when evaluating pellets.
Extruding
Extrusion is the process used in making dry cat and dog foods, and now some manufacturers of popular horse feeds use this process. Extruded nuggets are made from many of the same ingredients as pelleted feeds. First, the grains are ground and mixed with all other ingredients, and then they are cooked with moist heat at about 260째 F. Even more complete gelatinization of starches occurs during extrusion than during pelleting. The extrusion occurs when the mash is exposed to
cooler air, and it begins to expand and pop, much like a kernel of corn. The nuggets are dried to a moisture level of about 10% before being bagged. Many of the advantages of pelleting also hold true for extruded feeds. One additional advantage is the ability to add high levels of fat. With oil in the mash and oil sprayed on the outside of the nugget, fat levels can be as high as 20%. Because of the high temperatures during processing, preservatives are not always necessary (except with high fat nuggets), which is an added benefit. The high heat does affect vitamin levels, but because vitamin degradation is expected, manufacturers put in extra vitamins to compensate for losses. Energetically, extruded feeds have the edge in digestibility over conventional grain, sweet feeds, and pelleted feeds. The form does slow the intake of the feed, which can be advantageous for the horse that eats its feed too quickly, but it is difficult to get a horse in need of a large quantity of feed to eat enough of an extruded ration to meet energy needs. Extruded feeds are very low in fines and dust, so they are ideal for horses with respiratory problems. There is a negative aspect to extruded feeds. They are more expensive to manufacture and are bulkier than other feeds, and therefore require more storage space. Palatability can be an issue because of the unfamiliar form. Introduction of extruded feeds at an early age or very gradually can help in convincing the horse that extruded feeds can be just as tasty as other feeds. Source: http://nrm.equinews.com/ ar ticle/don%E2%80%99t-passprocessed-feeds
$48,500 paid out to nzsba members Since the start of the Addington Breeders’ Bonus initiative the New Zealand Metropolitan Trotting Club (NZMTC) has paid out over $48,500 to our members. NZSBA member-bred horses are winning approximately 68% of all eligable races run by the NZMTC (to date).
We have been tracking the number of breeders who are also listed as owners - this figures comes out at approximately 45%. Breeders have been quick to join the association, with membership up by 13% on last year.
BREEDERS BONUS ROLL OF HONOUR Winning Horse
Winning Horse
Breeder (s)
A Boy Named Rosie x 2 Beintowin Syndicate
Kincaslough x 2
M E Smith
Adore Me All Cash
King Denny Lewy Risk x 2
D J Bennett, Ms L A Joyce Alabar (NZ) Ltd
Linda Lovegrace Lotalov x 2
Woodlands Stud (NZ) Ltd M E Smith
Alleluia
C J Roberts Rankin Bloodstock Limited, T J Hopkins Mrs L A Smith,G C Smith Mrs D C Cournane, N J Cournane C H Barlow,Mrs T J Barlow
Lothario
Alta Jerome Alta Orlando
Alta Breeding Co Ltd Alta Breeding Co Ltd
Majestic Time Major Bubbles
Ares Armbro Teehee x 2
Nevele R Stud Ltd Stonewall Stud Ltd
Mashika Master Lavros
Art Union x 2
A J Wakefield, Dr S M Wakefield D B O’Connell, B D O’Connell, Mrs L A O’Connell G M Bowen,Mrs J J Bowen, A M Kirton,Mrs P J Kirton Nevele R Stud Ltd
McArdle Royale
Gaby Maghzal, Julie Maghzal J M Ward Grainger Bloodstock Limited,Rankin Bloodstock Limited G A Iggo Lavros Lodge Ltd(Kypros Kotzikas) P T Cameron, Mrs V R Cameron L E Williams, Mrs H R Williams
All Lit Up All Star Man
Bonechip
Can’t Explain It Christy Breanna
28 Breeding Matters June
Breeder (s)
Mighty Flying Mac
Monty Python
K R Grice, B R Grice
Naughty Maravu
Maravu Farm Ltd, Bromac Lodge Limited
Winning Horse
Breeder(s)
Winning Horse
Breeder(s)
Clover Don
G K Stevenson, Mrs J A Stevenson R J Nelson,Mrs C A Nelson Mrs S A Brown,S B Brown
Nicky’s Dynamic
P I Renwick
No Doctor Needed One Over Da Moon x 2 Pemberton Shard
Pepe Bromac
Bromac Lodge Limited
Dynamic Party Explosive Art
Mrs J M Davie, P T Cummings, D J Cummings B J Ford,Mrs H F Ford, Miss M L Ford,R J Ford Miss K M Vermeulen Miss K M Vermeulen
Plant Racing Ltd L E Williams, Mrs H R Williams Mrs D E Smith, C M Smith
Raesawinner x 2 Real Life Hero
Fernleigh Rebel Fight For Glory x 2
Spreydon Lodge Ltd Mrs D C Cournane
Regulus x 2 Risk
Fleeting Grin
B Robertson,C Robertson, T Ryder,L Ryder Spreydon Lodge Ltd
Santorini Sunset
Biddlecombe Equine Ltd Mrs M M Taylor,B Taylor, G R McNae Spreydon Lodge Ltd Kahukuri Bloodstock Limited,Studholme Bloodstock Limited B L Calder
Sol Invictus Somebeach N Clovelly
Gregory R x 2
Croon Bloodstock Ltd M E Smith,M P Smith, Mrs V E Smith Mrs J A Butt,D J McKenzie
Hot Pants Hug The Wind
A J Parker,Mrs P R A Parker A J Parker,Mrs P R A Parker
Sudden Change Tangos Delight
Ideal Power Isaiah Jack Hammer
Paul Renwick Joinery Limited Alabar (NZ) Ltd Cavalla Bloodstock Limited
Terror To Love The Bog The Brigadier x 2
Jayceekay x 2 Jivin Cullen
M J Stratford Hot Shoe Shuffle Breeding Syndicate I T Wilson, Mrs P J Wilson, Mrs W C Clark J E Fokerd,John Arbuckle Standardbreds Ltd
Tiger Tara Trouble Ado
Crackaheiny x 2 Delightful Dash Digital Art
Doctor Bones x 2
Franco Harrington Full Speed Ahead x 2 Glenferrie Sunbird
Johnny Fox
Johnny Vegas
Smoke N Santanna x 2
Ultimate CC
P N Smith,Mrs D J Smith,Mrs P M Smith N T Bennett,LHR Syndicate K P Ussher,A C White, Mrs S E White T G Casey,M J Bowden, Mrs J M Bowden Mrs B H Gye Dawe Bloodstock & Properties Ltd T McDonald Regency Wools (NZ) Ltd K N Spicer,Mrs A M Spicer,Birchbrook Breeding Ltd R P Anicich M G Heenan, Mrs D M Heenan G P Walsh,Mrs K J Walsh
Vice Chairman x 3
K F Norman, Mrs T A Norman
Whata Gamble
I W Gamble
Stent
Note. Breeders bonus goes to first name on breeder list who is an NZSBA member
apg winning pair boast interesting breeding backgrounds Follow The Stars and Queen Of Pop, the winners of the recent Group 1 $322,000 Australian Pacing Gold Finals for colts and fillies respectively, were both sired by Art Major and bred by Melbourne enthusiasts Bill and Anne Anderson.
Top Tempo, one of many fine racing and producing daughters of In The Pocket, has left three foals of racing age for three winners - all inside 2:00 - with two at Group 1 level. They have amassed $425,890 in stakes between them.
The star youngsters both claim some worthwhile blood with Follow The Stars belonging to a top American family and Queen Of Pop from a well known New Zealand tribe.
Since producing Queen Of Pop in 2011, she has left a Rock N Roll Heaven yearling colt which realised $66,000 at this year’s Melbourne APG sale, and a weanling colt by Bettor’s Delight and is safely in-foal to Well Said.
Queen Of Pop, the upset winner of the Fillies’ Final, gave the Anderson’s Lauriston Bloodstock an unprecedented third APG success. Musical Delight 1:53.1 ($247,755), a Bettor’s Delight half-sister to Queen Of Pop, took out the 2012 edition. The siblings are out of the former outstanding NZ racemare Top Tempo 1:56.5, the winner of 11 races and $225,513 in stakes including the Group 2 NZ Yearling Sales Graduette and a heat and semi-final of the 2YO Breeders Crown (2nd in Final). Incidentally, Top Tempo was trained throughout her career by Mark Purdon, the man who puts the polish on Follow The Stars.
Top Tempo ranks as a half-sister to six winners including the Reefton Cup and Albion Park winner McKay 1:56.6 ($152,484) and the Tasmanian Breeders Plate winner Winewomenandsong, being out of a top racemare and dual Winter Cup winner in Kliklite 1:54.4 ($156,213), a Holmes Hanover mare out of the El Patron mare Jessica Macfaber. Recent Australian winners from this family have been Sensational Gabby (2YO Filly of the Year), Keayang Hanover
by Peter Wharton
(Stawell Cup) and the Melton winner Lite Jagermeister. Follow The Stars, a $20,000 yearling purchase and rated the best youngster in Australia since Lombo Pocket Watch, is a member of an American family which has had a profound affect on Australian breeding for more than 40 years. His dam, Smyrna Duruissea (1:56), winner of two races in USA, was by Cam’s Card Shark from Secret Date (1:58.4), by Abercrombie from the broodmare gem Dateable (by Race Time), dam of 13 individual winners including former Canadian 2YO of the Year Historic ($1.3-million) and the Breeders Crown champion and sire Digger Almahurst (1:52.2), and grand-dam of millionaire pacer Dontgetinmyway and the US and Harold Park winner Art Attack (1:55). The family traces back to the Cardinal Prince mare Shy Ann, whose descendants include the very successful stallions Tarport Kid, Tarport Coulter, Dick Adios, Atashy, Smooth Hanover, Entrepreneur, Tarport Low, and so on. Both youngsters promise to do their fine families further credit.
canterbury update We recently held our Annual Elections, and would like to thank those who have made themselves available to stand for the committee. We have a good-sized committee of 15 who represent all aspects of the industry. Currently we have many issues that we are working on, including: 1) The running of a Canterbury Awards Function - because it’s our understanding that Canterbury is the only area in New Zealand which doesn’t have its own Annual Awards Dinner. This Association, along with both the Owners and the Horsemens Associations, is going to host the inaugural Canterbury Awards Dinner on Saturday, September 12. Tickets will be $50 per person, which includes a complimentary drink upon arrival. There will be 13 awards handed out during the evening each of the three Kindred Bodies having four awards, plus there will be an overall Award. We would love to have as many there as possible, so put together a group of your mates and book a table of 8 or 10. Tickets are available through Noel Kennard, phone (03) 3479 699 or email noel@goharness.co.nz 2) A Mixed Stock Sale, to be held in early September when people’s
I attended the Harness Jewels at Cambridge recently, and was amazed to see that the breeder of each starter was not acknowledged anywhere; this is another challenge In-foal mares can be purchased for us. knowing that in only a very short time they’ll produce a foal, and 5) Another issue on our ‘To Do’ List any empty mares will be able to is to work with HRNZ to rectify the be served virtually straight away if current situation whereby a horse can be exported out of New Zealand desired. without the owner being aware of it. The Sale will cater for all stock of all ages, including a ‘Horses in Training’ Noel Kennard Section as well. minds are more attuned to breeding - and when Winter, which makes our pastures wet and soggy, is long gone.
3) Our Annual Breeders Night will be held at Addington on Friday, September 26. This is the racenight where we have plenty of fun and enjoyment, as well as the complimentary raffle plus an additional optional raffle. Several Awards will also be made on the evening, including the Canty Breeders Association’s Addington Filly or Mare of the Year. 4) The Canterbury Breeders Association worked hard with Kiely (of the National Organisation) to get breeders’ names listed on the HRNZ website when displaying results of the first, second and third horses in a race. This information is now also available to all clubs (at no charge) for them to add into their racebook. So if you know committee members of any club, please do put pressure on them to list the breeders’ names.
Canterbury Committee President: Noel Kennard Vice-President: Martin Pierson Treasurer: Colin Hair Committee Brian Aitchison Grant Beckett Nick Boyle Robin Boyle Greg Crawford Bevan Grice Kypros Kotzikas Jackie McMaster John Mooney Sheldon Murtha Maria Perriton Neil Rich
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