Committee Notes
The 2026 sales are now complete and although it was tough going for some vendors, there were 168 yearlings sold, for a total of $4,972,000. The highlight of the sales was the Australian record price for a trotter, being the $250,000 paid for lot 283 at Nutrien. Prominent owner Mick Harvey was the buyer, whilst the Walner-Dance Craze Filly was consigned by Yabby Dam Farms.
Approximately 80 of the $5,000 Vicbred Vouchers were used to purchase yearlings at the Victorian sales. However as at April 30, only around half of vouchers issued used. HRV will soon be surveying voucher-winning owners and breeders to ascertain intention of use - it’s vitally important those being surveyed provide feedback.
HBV is working in conjunction with HRV on several fronts – stay tuned for possible updates on the broader Vicbred program.
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2026 Foal Quest is Here!
Trawl your photo albums, breeders - we’re on a quest to find a fantastic foal to grace the cover of the 2026 Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide with our annual Foal Quest. All 2025 Vicbred 2025 are eligible but to be in the running, there are a few guidelines HERE.
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Harness Racing Hall of Fame
Who will join harness racing’s most illustrious club? The power is in your hands, with nominations open for this year’s Victorian Harness Racing Hall of Fame, which will be celebrated at Melton in August. Nominate HERE.
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Stallion Guide Advertising
Bookings for adverts in the 2026 Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide will be opening very soon - and it's not just for studs! Any business wishing to reach thousands of breeders across the country can reach them direct with this high-quality, much-valued publication. If you're keen to get your product or service in front of a group that spend around $60M annually in producing the next foal crop, contact Sally today.
Register your interest HERE.
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Revamp for Spring Vicbred
The Vicbred Super Series will launch a big spring of Victorian harness racing in Semptember ahead of the merging of the Breeders Crown and Vicbred Super Series in 2027, which will keep alive the state’s great traditions while elevating the next generation of Vibcred superstars. Read more HERE.
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Red Letter Weekend
Brilliant trotting mare Jilliby Ballerini rounded out a memorable 30 minutes for the Rochester-based Pangrazio family when she claimed her first Group 1 win in the $60,000 Aldebaran Park Sumthingaboutmaori. Read more HERE.
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Voucher scheme extended
Vicbred Voucher winners will be able to use their $5000 bonuses on eligible Vicbred horses at the May 24 APG Autumn Mix Sale and forthcoming APG and Nutrien winter sales. Read more HERE.
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Mad Monday fires up
Mad Monday, a gelding bred in Victoria’s north-eastern region, defeated the best four-year-olds in commission in Western Australia in the Group 2 $100,000 Preux Chevalier Classic at Gloucester Park last Friday night. Read more HERE.
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Victoria boosts NSW sale
Shepparton businessman and hobby breeder Heath Barton struck pay dirt when he purchased his first broodmare, Ezee Duzit Lombo, from Mick Lombardo’s Concorde Park stud 11 years ago. Read more HERE.
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April Member Highlights...
* Louise Pangrazio, Malcolm & the late Joan Shaw (Jilliby Ballerini, GR1 Sumthingaboutmaori Trot)
* Yabby Dam Farms (Jilliby Aura, LC Lunar Lass 3YO Trot)
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HBV Membership 2026
Membership for season 2026 are still under renewal - if you have not joined HBV for the current season you would have recently received a reminder by post.
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 awards eligibility and a hard copy of the 2026 Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide delivered straight to your door.
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Breed To Succeed - Nutrition in the Breeding Band
Paul Campbell from Campbell’s Comments talks to Dr Sarah Gray about the most vital stage in making your investment come to fruition - foaling down. Doing it safely, the importance of supervised foaling and the options available for foaling alerts. You can find all the interviews HERE.
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Additional Mare Races for 2026
In collaboration with Harness Breeders Victoria, HRV's racing department trialled additional mares’ races in high horse population areas, reinforcing Victoria’s commitment to mares in their racing and breeding careers and have committed to continuing this program across coming months. The upcoming mares’ races, venues, and grades are listed below (trotters left, pacers right):
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Harness Breeders Victoria Committee Meetings
The next meeting of the HBV committee is scheduled for mid May 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. |
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Headline image: A 2023 filly by Art Major out of Rock N Roll Heaven mare My Mackenzie, bred by Alabar
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