Hi Harvey
I'm only a hobby breeder and with a few friends have bred one mare per season up until last year when we bred two. We breed to race but this season I have extended myself and have an involvement in 4 mares which are going to some decent stallions. I've done this for a couple of reasons, firstly I can afford it this year, and secondly, I tend to think the yearling sales are on the improve and will be OK over the next couple of years.
Like any business venture, people are unlikely to invest unless they have some hope they can make a profit, so there is no doubt in my mind, whether one is a buyer or breeder, the product (horse) has to be able to provide a profit and that boils down to reasonable prize money and opportunity. Diverting prize money from 2YO racing, or condensing the 2YO racing season as has been suggested in submissions made to HRNSW (http://www.harnessmediacentre.com.au...idation-report) is going to restrict the opportunity for many people and will only ensure less people being prepared to invest in either breeding or racing 2YOs.
Business has always been about supply and demand; we can come up with any number of schemes to encourage breeders to breed more horses, but without the buyer is there really any point in it? So, from my perspective, the question should be 'how do we get more people to buy yearlings?'
Regards
Mark