Horses have evolved to eat poor quality roughage, such as grass, shrubs and herbs.  However, for most of the time, wild horses move at a slow pace with only occasional short bursts of speed when danger is suspected.  Energy requirements are therefore low. Racehorses, however, exercise daily and are expected to travel at top speeds […]

AUSTRALIAN STUD BOOK The Australian Stud Book is the authority to which breeders must register all their bloodstock in order for the progeny to be eligible to race. BLUE HEN A broodmare who is shown to be the ancestress of a high number of stakes performers. BROODMARE SIRE Also known as the damsire – the […]

Written 2012 A day at the races has taken a back seat over the past few years.  Think the Equine Influenza- enforced halt to racing, followed by the GFC.  Competition for sporting crowds and the convenience of four racing channels in your lounge room – has prompted the industry to have a long hard look […]

Written 2012 for Breeding & Racing Magazine Having recently experienced the 2012 Melbourne Spring Carnival, culminating in the 3200 metre Emirates Melbourne Cup, it’s natural that the thoughts of owners and trainers are turning to breeding or buying staying bred horses. While the tactic du jour is to import readymade stayers, the international market has […]

Written 2012 Gelding has always been a touchy subject in racing. “To geld or not to geld?” has often been a topic of debate between owners and trainers of colts since racing began. Part of the attraction of the racing industry is its uncertainty, and the purchase of every new racing proposition brings with it […]

Written 2011 (Tongue Tie Firmly On) PHOTOGRAPHS Every effective advertisement should be accompanied by a photograph. Location If possible, take a photo of your horse while out in a paddock. Being dirty and unbrushed demonstrates that you feel you have nothing to hide and that your horse is hardened to the elements. Similarly, showing that […]

Written 2012 I am puzzled by the negative attitude Australian yearling buyers take towards buying yearlings out of “older mares”. Yes there are significantly more stakeswinners produced out of young mares, however this is simply because old mares that have been unsuccessful get culled, die or are bred to failed/ineffective stallions (in effect the same […]

Written 2001 In the southern hemisphere, the “Horses’ Birthday” is celebrated by nearly all breeds on the first day of August. The reason for the selection of the first day of August in the southern hemisphere, as opposed to say the first day of January, May or November is that historically, the weather at the […]

Written 2006 The transportation of thoroughbreds from one hemisphere to the other is now a routine occurrence, a practice with mixed results and problems which are only now becoming recognised.  Acclimatisation to opposite weather patterns, synchronization with breeding cycles and suitability to our racing surfaces are the prime concerns of our racing and breeding industries […]

Written 1999 Racehorse ownership is within many people’s reach these days. Gone is the era when it was seen as the elite ‘sport of kings’.  Syndication, partnerships and leasing make it an affordable sport for those keen to participate in the immeasurable pleasure of not just backing a winner, but also leading it in, holding […]