The stud book have just released a summary of the 2009 breeding
season which shows coverings of Queensland mares down 20 per cent.
Mares covered in Queensland in 2009 were 4001 down from 5003 in 2008.
The national average was down 10 per cent.
On the surface this appears tragic and alarming but here are several
reasons for the drop some of which are a good thing surprising as this
may sound.
The global economic crisis can account for 10 per cent of the drop.
It is the other 10 percent we need to rationalize and be able to
understand.
I believe their are three reasons for this extra 10 per cent.
Mare rationalization
How many times have we been told by sales company representatives and
bloodstock agents that we would be better off with five good mares
rather than 20 badly bred mares? The writing is on the wall when
Queensland bred stock doesn’t make the better sessions of the Magic
Millions sale and it would appear that breeders are taking this advice
seriously.
Breeders are culling their mares and trying to breed more commercial
stock. This is a very good thing for the Queensland industry.
To the critics and doubters that this is happening I say be patient,
it takes 5 years at least for this policy to show measurable results.
Sales Dates
The timing of the Magic Millions sale in this state. Being an early
sale, (January) there is a greater advantage for early foals at this
sale when compared to other sales in other states on the annual
calendar. Add to this the emphasis on 2yo racing in the QTIS scheme,
and the requirement for breeders to produce early foals is
strengthened.
Recently the QTIS 600 scheme was introduced which, to any observer,
is a boon for the industry and with double the 2yo bonus’ breeders
must produce earlier foals.
This pressure appears to be responsible for the second reason for the
drop in mare coverings.
Equine Infuenza
Equine Influenza crisis of 2007. Queensland was restricted in travel
for longer than any other state during the 2007 breeding season, and
this meant that many mares were covered later in the season than
usual. These mares were then covered even later in the 2008 season,
but still within the bounds of the need for October foals. Coming into
the current season, it appears that a greater proportion of broodmares
than normally expected foaled in late October. Breeders elected to
leave these mares empty. Combining this progressive delay in foaling
with the aforementioned desire for early foals appears to have led to
more mares being left empty in 2009.
As for the 2010 season I see a rebound in numbers likely. Perhaps not
back to 5000 but somewhere close.
As I said at the start perhaps the drop in numbers is a good thing
after all.
In a study of racehorse ownership throughout Australia a surprising
result it has been revealed.
The findings reveal a level of ownership far in excess of previous
estimates with 84% of breeders owning wholly or in partnership 65% of
racehorses in work. This translates into $250m in training fees paid
by breeders each year. These are remarkable figures and will end once
and for all the notion that breeders take more from racing than they
give.
We the Breeders of Queensland are the back bone of the racing
industry and without our involvement the hole industry in Queensland
would be miniscule.
