FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

I start my column this month by thanking those of our members who voted in our recent election of directors which was a first for the Association. It gives me much pride that the Association continues to grow in leaps and bounds and that our members are keen to have a voice in our operations.

I would like to congratulate all elected directors (see separate item on Annual General Meeting) and to thank the unsuccessful candidates for their interest and support of the Association by standing as candidates in the election.

It also gives me great pleasure to confirm that former Director, Mr Michael Kissane, has been awarded Life Membership to the Association for his exceptional service to NSWROA.

Mr Kissane who served for just on 13 years during his two stints on the Committee, provided valuable counsel to the Committee. I extend my personal congratulations and thanks for the wonderful contribution he made to the Association.

Michael and Robyn Kissane

The Association continues to work tirelessly to advance the interests of our members. As I stated at the Annual General Meeting, a number of NSWROA initiatives have come to fruition in the past twelve months but sadly the Association did not receive the credit it so richly deserved. Nevertheless, the Committee will continue to “fight the good fight” on behalf of our members. We currently have a number of issues in train that are progressing well which hopefully I can inform you about next month.

LUXBET SPECIAL OFFER TO OWNERS & TRAINERS

$100 BONUS BET – JUST MAKE A FIRST DEPOSIT OF $25 OR MORE

Part of Australia’s premier gambling and entertainment group Tabcorp,
Luxbet is proud of its total support and commitment to the NSWROA and the Australian racing industry.

Luxbet is 100 percent dedicated to ensuring a viable future for Australian racing and its participants and will fully pays all fees and taxes as required.

In addition to this unwavering commitment to the industry Luxbet’s ClubXtra is the most comprehensive rewards program for individuals who like a punt on their own horse. Exclusive to racehorse owners and trainers, ClubXtra members pick up a 12% bonus on top of winnings when betting on a horse they own or train.

This means ClubXtra members have the industry leading products offered by Luxbet including Best Of The Best (best of Best Tote and Top Fluc) and LuxDiv (Best Tote and Starting Price) enhanced by an additional 12% bonus! There’s no other owner/trainer offer on the market to rival this.

If, as an owner or trainer you are looking for higher returns, plus the opportunity to support the industry you can't go past ClubXtra.

And if that doesn’t whet your appetite, here’s a special offer to help you kick-start your Luxbet account.

$100 FIRST DEPOSIT BONUS^ - It’s as easy at 1-2-3
1) OPEN AN ACCOUNT – it only takes a few minutes
2) Enter promo code CLUBXTRA1 when you make your first deposit of $25 or more
3) $100 Bonus Bet will be inserted into your account instantly

Click here for more details or open a Luxbet account at www.luxbet.com
Alternately you can call our friendly customer service staff on 1300 LUXBET (1300 589 238).

IF YOU BET WITH A CORPORATE BOOKIE, CHOOSE LUXBET.COM

^ClubXtra Terms and Conditions apply, click here. Max $2,000 ClubXtra bonus per day. ClubXtra bonus must be turned over at odds of $1.90 or higher before you can withdraw the ClubXtra bonus from your Luxbet account. *Bonus Bet Terms and Conditions apply, click here. Offer available until cancelled by the Promoter. The Bonus Bet must be wagered as a single bet on a Fixed Odds market with a dividend of greater than $1.50 per $1 bet. If the Bonus Bet returns a winning dividend, those winnings (excluding the Bonus Bet stake) will be credited to your Luxbet account. Your Initial Deposit and any winnings accrued from the Bonus Bet must be turned over at least once (x1) on bets with a dividend of greater than $1.50 per $1 bet (the Minimum Turnover Threshold) within 90 days before any withdrawals from your account will be processed. If the Minimum Turnover Threshold is not met within 90 days of receipt of the Bonus Bet, the Bonus Bet (if not already used), or any winnings already accrued from the Bonus Bet, will be withdrawn from your Luxbet account. Must be over 18 years. Due to legislative restrictions, VIC and QLD residents are not eligible to receive the Bonus Bet. Maximum of one (1) Bonus Bet of $100 per account. Think! About your choices. Call your state based Gambling Help services on 1800 858 858. In NSW call Gambling Help on 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelp.nsw.gov.au In WA visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au Gamble responsibly.

46TH ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

The forty-sixth Annual General Meeting of the NSW Racehorse Owners Association Limited (ACN 000 498 859) was held at The Rugby Club, Rugby Place, Off 31A Pitt Street, Sydney, 3rd Floor – Barbarian Room on 30 May 2011 at 6.00 pm.

As members are aware, an election and ballot was held for the position of directors and votes received were counted at the Annual General Meeting.

I am pleased to confirm that Messrs John Vouris, Christopher Keogh, Peter Beer, Louis Mihalyka, Tom O’Callaghan and Ms Julia Ritchie were elected. They join Ms Narelle Anderson, Mr Michael Inglis and Mr Ray McDowell on the nine person NSWROA Committee.

Our thanks to members who voted and to those who attended the meeting and stayed on for refreshments.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE AND OFFICE BEARERS FOR NSWROA

Following the election of the Committee at the 46th Annual General Meeting of the NSWROA on 30 May 2011, an election of office bearers took place at the June Committee Meeting with the following results:

REMINDER: CARRAZZO SYDNEY TAX SEMINAR

A reminder that the annual Paul Carrazzo Sydney Tax Seminar will be conducted on Tuesday 21 June 2011 at the William Inglis & Son complex. Topics to be covered include:

• New Horse Loss Rules
• Horse Tax Planning
• Capital Gains Tax and GST
• Breeding Property Taxation
• Tax Cases and Budget Update
• Stock write-downs
• Horse Deductions
• 50% Tax break and racing
• Business v Hobby – what now?

Light refreshments will be served and a special discounted
rate of $110.00 is applicable for NSWROA members.

BOBS & BOBS EXTRA UPDATE

As any racehorse owner knows, there’s nothing more frustrating than having a horse accepted for a race meeting and then hearing the meeting has been called off because of bad weather.

Rain has had a huge impact on racing and on owners’ finances this season, and that can be demonstrated quite simply through the figures for BOBS bonuses.

By the end of May, 838 BOBS bonuses had been won, worth $5,665,000. After the deductions are taken out for the stallion nominator, trainer and Jockeys’ Association, that’s $4.5 million which has been paid to winning owners over and above the regular prize money. Which is wonderful!

However I was surprised to see that at the same time last year there had been 892 bonuses awarded, worth an additional $130,000. Why the fall in both number and value?

A quick check of the season’s fixtures showed that 54 race meetings had been washed out – and coincidentally, the number of BOBS bonuses was down by 54. Had those meetings not been hit by bad weather it’s quite likely as many as 80 BOBS bonuses would have been won, perhaps worth $300,000.

The good news is that June and July are historically the two months of the year when the largest number of bonuses are won, so, weather permitting, owners are in for a good finish to the season.

This is also the time of year for owners to make sure they enter their young horses for BOBS and BOBS Extra. By now many yearlings will have been broken in and their potential assessed.

The entries for both BOBS and BOBS Extra close on 1 September 2011, with a fee of $660 for BOBS, an additional $840 for BOBS Extra if you opt for that scheme as well. If you miss the deadline you’ll face a late entry fee for BOBS of $5500 and there’s no possibility of having your horse nominated for BOBS Extra.

Is BOBS Extra worth it? After the first 10 months of this season Racing NSW had paid out $605,000 for 87 BOBS Extra bonuses, for 4-year-olds winning over 1600 metres and longer. 19 of those wins were for maidens, so their owners’ patience was certainly rewarded.

As BOBS Extra grows season by season it will add more and more value to the older, middle distance or staying racehorses, extending their careers and strengthening competition in those events.

Finally, a reminder to anyone who bought a yearling this year: If it said “BOBS Eligible” in the catalogue, that doesn’t mean the horse is automatically nominated – the owner must still fill out the nomination form and pay the fee. By 1 September!

For further information please contact John Gatfield, BOBS Executive Officer, Racing NSW on telephone: (02) 9551-7574.

2011 RACING’S NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS

NSWROA is, once again in 2011, proud to be hosting Racing’s Night of Champions, the most prestigious charity award’s night in Australian racing.

Racing’s Night of Champions will be held in the Randwick Pavilion at Royal Randwick Racecourse on 11 August 2011 and NSWROA cordially invites you to join us for the evening.

With the theme of “The New Era in Racing”, this event will pay homage to the best New South Wales Racing has to offer in recognising the achievements of both horses and their humans.

This year NSWROA is proud to be supporting the Vincentian House KEEP Program, a Special Work of the St Vincent de Paul Society NSW as our charity of choice at Racing’s Night of Champions.

KEEP (Kids Engaged in Education Program) is underpinned by seven strategies that aim to break intergenerational cycle of poverty and disadvantage and offer a range of targeted support for children and young people who are staying at Vincentian House – a crisis accommodation and case management service for homeless families.

One of the many highlights of the night will undoubtedly be our feature entertainment which will be provided by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductee, Jimmy Barnes.

What can be said about Jimmy Barnes that hasn’t been said before? Regarded as the elder statesman of Australian rock ‘n’ roll, Jimmy Barnes has carved out the most successful solo career of any performer in Australian rock history - producing nine Number One albums. Jimmy works tirelessly for various charities, particularly those caring for children and disadvantaged people in the community. He continues to tour internationally and throughout Australia; his current album is ‘Rage and Ruin” recorded in the USA. Jimmy Barnes is a multi-platinum, multi-ARIA Award winning Artist and a bona fide Australian icon.

Racing’s Night of Champions is, without doubt, the best value night out you can have. For the low admission price of $198.00 per person you receive:

• a sumptuous 3 course meal
• fine wines and beverages; and
• feature entertainment by one of the biggest names in the Australian industry.

You will find it very hard indeed to get such value for money from any other event and by attending you are also assisting the Vincentian House KEEP Program.

So why not treat yourself to a great night out and at the same time show your support for Vincentian House.

In addition, in order to assist guests travelling to the function, NSWROA has arranged for a return bus service between Rosehill and Randwick.

For further information regarding the Racing’s Night of Champions, visit the NSWROA website www.nswroa.com.au or click here to view the latest flyer for the event.

WINNERS ARE GRINNERS

A WINNER – there are no better words for an owner to hear!

As members are aware, as part of our membership renewal process, NSWROA requested members to forward the names of their racehorses in order for us to acknowledge their racing triumphs in our publications.

The listing under comprises wins recorded in New South Wales as well as Australian black type successes which are recorded in bold type.

Accordingly, hereunder are the lucky NSWROA members who had winners in May 2011:

GENERAL

If you have you recently moved, changed your postal address or obtained an email address, it would be greatly appreciated if you could contact the office in order for our records to be updated.

Yours in Racing
Ray McDowell, President
20 June 2011

STOP PRESS – INGLIS SEMINAR

Inglis will be conducting a “Breeding Thoroughbreds for Commercial Sale” seminar at Newmarket on Tuesday 21 June following the TVN First Season Sire Showcase.

All new bloodstock investors and existing breeders looking to gain an edge in the world of thoroughbred trading are invited to attend the free event.

As Australia’s leading thoroughbred auctioneers for over a century, Inglis is well positioned to provide independent insight into crucial elements of commercial thoroughbred breeding such as the auction environment, market trends, buyer behaviour and new industry innovations.

Topics to be discussed include:

• Breeding for the sale ring
• Mare selection
• Stallion selection
• First season sires v’s proven Sires
• Inglis selection policy for yearling sales
• The sales process explained
• How to optimise your selling strategy

Inglis’ bloodstock staff will also be on hand to discuss any other topics you may wish to raise.

Through sharing valuable knowledge the seminar aims to reduce the risks and increase the returns for new and existing participants in their ventures in the Australasian commercial thoroughbred breeding industry.

Where:
Inglis Newmarket Restaurant, 1 Young Street Randwick

When:
Tuesday 21 June 2011
5pm – 6pm
(Following the TVN First Season Sire Showcase)

All are welcome to attend the First Season Sire Showcase prior to the seminar. This will be held in the Sales Ring at 3.30pm on Tuesday 21 June.

If you have any questions, please phone Jonathan D’Arcy on (02) 9399 7999 or email jonathan@inglis.com.au