[VVV] G'day again Mitch,
I'm generally loathe to concede that they get much right in the breeding arena however I am very much in favour of following the TB model when it comes to initially shuttling the best available sires and then patronising their best locally bred, locally performed sons.
I think we're still a little way off that sort of thing being in full swing but I'm confident it will become more and more common in the future. We've already seen the initial sparks fly with the likes of Christian Cullen and Courage Under Fire. There'll always be a place for shuttle sires however if and when they produce a comparable product to that which is available overseas then I can't see any reason why Breeders in this country should not line up to support it.
On that score, it might come as somewhat of a shock to many people, it certainly did to me, that here in Australia, currently WE DO NOT HAVE A SINGLE BIG $$$$ CLASSIC EVENT FOR 3YO COLTS OVER THE MILE, such a race obviously allowing aspiring sires to race & prove themselves when in against the best around...and with it the opportunity to post a slick time. Instead we ask them to head off on a series of 2300m+ slogs. ????????
If we're going to genuinely aspire to producing our own home-grown sires then we must look to affording them at least some form of opportunity to post comparable juvenile times and have comparable juvenile $.
The duplicity of the Breeders down this way can be a little confusing at times too.
For an imported Sire they'll invariably zero in on the juvenile performances and shun aged efforts...however with a local bred it seems to be all about how they've performed as aged horses on the Grand Circuit????. Buggered if I can work that one out. It makes no sense at all.
Not sure if this belong's here, Eliza Park has an offer that if you have a filly foal born from one of the 5 or 6 selected stallions you can breed next season for free.
I'm guessing that thoroughbred breeders are encountering the same problems as standardbred breeders?
I was speaking about this to a well known harness trainer yesterday, what with the disastrous results for fillies at the recent Melbourne APG sales maybe the studs could refund half of your service fee if you get a filly? Or at least some sort of discount......I spoke to 3 biggish players in the breeding game who just will not return with fillies next year. Can't stay in the game if you're making a loss after all....fewer breeders means fewer services for the stallions.
just looking at the sydney premium results..
total lots 45
sold lots 23
51 % clearance
dissapointing..
Very dissapointing Lisa. As much as I LOVE horse auctions and sale time, i have often thought it would be much easier if the vendor just put a price on the horse and first in with the necessary amount secured it, a bit like the old "land grab" days. Would make good viewing
But you're right it's very dissapointing to see those results.
If you don't have Matthew Sandbloms mares or Black Magic Woman, Threepence, Colada Hanover, Starry Rainbow or Boldandbeautiful your not going to make a living if your a breeder. Id hate to be in the situation they are in, they would be tearing their hair out if they have any left to tear out. Didn't realise just how disappointing last nights sale was till i had a good look.
I believe it's not just contained to our yearling sales, people in this country are simply not spending their money at the moment.
Sales are flat or going backwards in just about every avenue.
There are a million experts out there that will tell you it's this or it's that and I'm not one of them, but I would hope most people would realise our game is not immune to these trends.
http://www.patricianpark.com.au/?p=919&utm
This picture is one of the best I have seen of a yearling this year.
Last edited by Starship Captain; 02-11-2012 at 11:36 PM.