Committee Notes
It has been a positive month so far for breeders in Victoria.
Firstly we welcome the timely announcement that Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has negotiated with the Victorian Government to fund a $3m breeding investment package that will commence on September 1, 2025. Of this amount, $2.75m will be distributed to owners and breeders in the form of $5,000 Bonus Certificates. These can be used either on a service fee to a Victorian-registered stallion, or to purchase a Vicbred Pure or Platinum yearling at the annual Victorian yearling sales.
Secondly, having lobbied intensively over the last few years we welcome the news that HRV have written to advise HRA that while it supports racing innovation, including The Eureka, it no longer supports the stallion levy in its current form, in large part because of its perceived impacts on the foal crop. HRV has called for consultation to explore alternatives, and HBV encourages our interstate-based members to contact their local state body and breeding kindred body in regard to this important issue.
More details about the new Vicbred and other breeding season announcements can be found below. HBV also extends our congratulations to Dr Maxine Brain who has recently been appointed to the Board of HRV, her wealth of veterinary experience will be welcomed.
We wish everyone the very best for upcoming coverings and foal arrivals.
|
|
|
2025 IRT Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide
The 30th anniversary edition of the IRT Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide is now available digitally by clicking above, and will be hitting mail boxes soon.
|
|
$2.75m Vicbred investment
The Vicbred Vouchers program will see 550 races across the next two seasons carry $5000 vouchers for owners for breeding or buying Vicbred stock. Breeders will also get a direct boost, with the Vicbred Super Series heats, semi-finals, finals, and consolations to award $5000 vouchers to the winning breeder too. Read the full release HERE and the upcoming race list HERE.
|
|
|
Changes to mircrochipping
HRV will introduce a flexible, breeder-friendly approach to microchipping Victorian-registered foals, which has been designed to support participants while streamlining processes and reducing industry costs. Owners will have two microchipping options for the 2025 season to comply with HRA rules for horse identification, which are each supported by one-off $250 rebates per foal. Read more HERE.
|
|
|
Inter Dominion Success
Congratulations to members Ash Haynes and Redbank Lodge, breeders of this year's Trotting and Pacing Inter Dominion winners respectively with Arcee Phoenix (pic) and Leap To Fame.
Also with July Group 1 winners were Robert Watson (Soho Americano, QLD Oaks) and Breckon Farms (Rubira, QLD Derby). In Victoria, Listed Classic APG 2YO Trotting Fillies Final went to Aldebaran Lodge's Harperseven.
|
|
|
Vic stallion rosters on show
With the new breeding season less than a month away, Victorian studs are finalising their sire rosters as broodmare owners stew over the credentials of the plethora of stallions which will have a bearing on their breeding decisions. Read about it HERE.
|
|
|
Sky's the Limit
The brilliant finishing flourish of the three-year-old trotting filly Sky Flair at Melton last Friday night firmly placed two of the quiet achievers of the Victorian standardbred breeding industry from Rhiannon Park under the spotlight. Read more HERE.
|
|
|
|
Foal Notifications
Breeders can now submit foal notifications online via HarnessWeb from August 1 rather than waiting until September. It provides more flexibility for managing breeding records and you can watch a step-by-step tutorial via YouTube above.
|
|
Dream Broodmare Result
A decision to purchase a pair of well-bred siblings by Finley hobby breeder Ash Haynes almost 20 years ago paved the way for the breeding of trotting’s latest ‘Million Dollar Club’ member and Inter Dominion Grand Final winner Arcee Phoenix. . Read a full story HERE.
|
|
|
Traceability Rule Updates
A recent change has been made to the options available when selecting the option of “Industry Retirement Program” from the drop down menu when retiring your Standardbred in HarnessWeb. The retirement category labelled “Industry Retirement Program” specifically refers to retrainers/rehomers or retirement organisations recognised by State Controlling Bodies (SCB) and, once selected, will only allow you to choose from a pre-determined list of options. Read more HERE.
|
|
|
HBV Membership
Membership for season 2025 are still open. Membership in this coming season is more important than ever to ensure the breeders' collective voice is truly being heard - support your very active kindred body in continuing to lobby government, HRA and HRV on behalf of Victorian breeders and commit to representation to the Harness Racing Advisory Council. Membership benefits will remain the same, including your last chance to make the list for a hard copy of the 2025 Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide delivered straight to your door.
|
|
|
|
Breed To Succeed - Pedigree Research
A different session on the resources and techniques available for breeders to form a mating plan for their mare with author Nick Hooper, and Brett Coffey from Alabar Bloodstock - with Campbell’s Comments.
|
|
Harness Breeders Victoria Committee Meetings
The next meeting of the HBV committee is scheduled for September and a summary of proceedings will be posted on our website shortly after. We invite members and interested parties to submit papers or correspondence for consideration by the Committee by post or email. Please refer to previously summaries on our website to ensure the issue has not previously been addressed by the Committee. For consideration at the each meeting, members should email papers or correspondence to contact@hbv.org.au. |
|
|
Headline image: A 2023 filly by Zenith Stride out of Kadabra mare Glenferrie Dash, bred by Alabar
|
|
|
|
|
|
