FROM THE PRESIDENT’S DESK

Happy New Year to all members.

As you would no doubt be aware, the Minister appointed a new Board for Racing NSW on 19 December 2011 which comprises an interesting mix of participants. To be chaired by Mr John Messara, AM for a four year term, the Racing NSW Board comprises:-

• Naseema Sparks (Deputy Chairperson) – 4 year term
• Ken Brown, AM – 4 year term
• Russell Balding, AO – 4 year term
• Tony Hodgson – 3 year term
• Alan Brown – 3 year term
• The Hon. Kevin Greene – 3 year term

As stated previously the Association applauded the Minister’s appointment of the three person selection panel but was firmly of the view that there should have been industry participation in the selection process and that there should have been no restriction on applications. Why “cull” because of experience? Clearly this should be a preference rather than a deterrent. Members might be interested in reading our letter to the Minister and his response regarding the selection criteria for the Racing NSW board positions. Click here to read.

But that is now in the past and the Association looks forward to continuing our work with the Board of Racing NSW on the various issues that face our industry. We have already had a productive initial meeting with Mr Messara who has wasted no time since his appointment in rolling his sleeves up and conversing with industry participants.

Unfortunately there has still been no decision handed down by the High Court re the Race Fields Legislation appeal. The industry as a whole is still “waiting to exhale” with time fast becoming of the essence for a vast number of participants. We can only hope for a successful outcome in the very near future.

On a positive note, I am pleased to advise that the Association has had a sub-committee formed from the Racing Industry Consultation Group (RICG) to analyse and reassess the increase to owners on the buy into BOBS and through RICG, a submission will be made to the Racing NSW Board to reconsider the increases that were announced. Members be assured that the Association will continue to pursue this very important issue for you.

I would also like to make special mention of the outstanding work of Committee Member Mr Tom O’Callaghan to bring Racing NSW and the Australian Racing Board to the Federal Government’s table with respect to the Personal Properties Security Act. Tom is a member of an industry working party tackling this very crucial issue.

And sadly in closing on behalf of all at NSWROA, our condolences to former Committee Member Mr Chris Keogh on the passing of his mother in early January. Our thoughts are with you and the rest of the family.

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RACEDAY COCKTAIL FUNCTION AT WARWICK FARM – SATURDAY 18 FEBRUARY 2012

You are cordially invited to join NSWROA members and friends of the Association at our first function for 2012, a raceday cocktail function, at Warwick Farm Racecourse, on Saturday, 18 February 2012 – Royal Sovereign Stakes Day.

The function will take place in the Hobartville Bar in the JBH Carr Stand.

The cost is $95.00 per person and includes:-

• entrance tickets
• racebook
• a substantial cocktail menu
• afternoon tea
• Australian sparkling, white and red wines, James Boag beer, mineral water, orange juice and soft drinks
• RSA beverage waiter service
• TAB facilities
• TV monitors for race viewing
• onsite car parking

If you are interested in attending, please complete the booking form and return to the NSWROA office by Friday 10 February 2012 by:

Email: nswroa1@ozemail.com.au
Facsimile: 9299 3212
Post: GPO Box 1506 Sydney NSW 2001

2012 AUSTRALASIAN YEARLING SALES

In this issue of the newsletter we continue with our previews of upcoming yearling sales, this month featuring the February sales.

New Zealand Bloodstock
New Zealand Bloodstock’s Karaka Yearling Sales have been the source of over 80 individual Group 1 winners in the last five seasons, more than any other auction house in Australasia, and will be offering 1,444 yearlings at its 2012 Karaka Yearling Sales.

Held from January 30 to February 5, the Karaka Yearling Sales kicks off in style with the Karaka Million Twilight Meeting on Sunday January 29, the eve of the Karaka Premier Sale. Featuring the running of New Zealand’s richest race, the $1 million Karaka Million, the twilight meeting provides a vibrant and exciting opening for the week ahead.

Featuring 516 lots – the largest catalogue since 2006, the Karaka Premier Sale is set to offer some of the best yearlings Australasia has to offer. With progeny from over 100 stakes winning mares and siblings to over 135 stakes winners, the Sale will offer progeny from some of the world’s very best stallions.

A Sale that saw eight individual Group 1 winners last season alone, the Karaka Select Sale is set to offer 620 yearlings by 90 sires from around the world. With the five-year Sale average under NZ$50,000, the Sale is in a league of its own and represents unbeatable value for buyers.

The final session in the National Yearling Sales, the Karaka Festival Sale, will see 308 lots go under the hammer on the Sunday, 210 of which are colts.

New Zealand Bloodstock is unique in the auction world with its exceptional standard of buyer hospitality. The team can arrange everything from accommodation and transport during your stay, to horse insurance and transport to 14 countries around the world.

For international visitors, NZB also offers a generous Buyer Reward Scheme as a gesture of thanks for buyers’ support of the Sale and a contribution towards the cost of their trip to Karaka.

For more information on your trip to the 2012 Karaka Yearling Sales, please contact NZB or visit www.nzb.co.nz.

Magic Millions
Magic Millions will conduct two Yearling Sales during February. First cab off the rank is the Perth Yearling Sale which will take place from 14 to 18 February. With some 580 lots on offer, owners are sure to find a yearling to suit their requirements.

NSW sires represented at the sale include Al Maher, Bernardini (USA), Canny Lad, Casino Prince, Charge Forward, Choisir, Commands, Danasinga, Dane Shadow, Danewin, Duke of Marmalade (IRE), Encosta de Lago, Fastnet Rock, Flying Spur, Haradasun, Henny Hughes (USA), Holy Roman Emperor (IRE), Husson (ARG), Lion Heart (USA), Lonhro, Magic Albert, More Than Ready (USA), Mossman, Murtajill, Myboycharlie (IRE), Not A Single Doubt, Oratorio (IRE), Ready’s Image (USA), Rock of Gibraltar (IRE), Sebring, Shaft, Snippetson, Snitzel, Starcraft (NZ), Strategic, Street Sense (USA), Tale of the Cat (USA), Testa Rossa and Trotamondo (CHI).

Last year this sale grossed some $12,060,500 with a top price of $240,000 and an average price of $44,669.

The second Magic Millions Sale for the month is the Tasmanian Select Yearling Sale which will take place on 21 February. The sale will offer 115 lots including progeny of NSW sires Bel Danoro, Benicio, Bon Hoffa, California Dane, Dylan Thomas (IRE), Henny Hughes (USA), Holy Roman Emperor (IRE) and Strategic.

For further details regarding the 2012 Magic Millions Yearling Sales, visit the Magic Millions website www.magicmillions.com.au.

Peter Milling & Co
The Peter Milling & Company Annual Dubbo Yearling Sale is to take place on 12 February at the Dubbo Showground. This sale offers owners the chance to buy a well bred yearling at a very reasonable price and have a lot of fun with it.

The catalogue this year comprises some 69 lots (63 of which are BOBS eligible) is highlighted once again by the draft from Darley Australia with progeny by Commands, Lonhro, Strategic and Street Cry (IRE) on offer.

Other stallions represented at the sale this year include Al Maher, Amalfi (NZ), Benicio, Bite the Bullet (USA), Bold Expectation, Bon Hoffa, California Dane, Dane Shadow, Dubai’s Choice, Eavesdropper (USA), Econsul (NZ), Enemy of Average, Excites, Felix The Cat (USA), Grey Swallow, Henny Hughes (USA), Intergaze, Lion Heart (USA), Lucky Owners (NZ), Marwina, Musket, Mutawaajid, Nuclear Freeze (USA), Power of Destiny, Press Card (USA), Shaft, Snippetson, Southern Image (USA), Supreme Class, Valixir (IRE), Volcanic Prince and Youthful Legs (USA).

At the conclusion of the Yearling Sale a small draft of 10 broodmares will be sold. Broodmare sires featured are Carry the Crown (USA), Danehill (USA), Danzero, Encosta de Lago, Galileo (IRE), Numerous, Palace Music (USA), Strategic, Success Express (USA) and Thunder Gulch (USA).

For further details regarding the Annual Dubbo Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, contact Peter Milling & Co on telephone (02) 6882 3544 or visit the website www.petermilling.com.au.

Inglis
The Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale, the source of undefeated Australian Horse of the Year Black Caviar and South African Horse of the Year Igugu, will be conducted at Oaklands, Melbourne from February 27 until March 1 this year.

The sale has an enviable record of unearthing Group One winners and statistics show that the catalogue for the Victorian sale keeps improving year after year like its graduates.

NSW Vendors with considerable size drafts coming to Melbourne in February include Bellerive Stud (29), Widden Stud (18), Bowness Stud (15), Kia-Ora Stud (14), Torryburn Stud (9) and Vinery Stud (9).

Inglis will welcome over a dozen new vendors to Melbourne this year, including NSW breeders Patinack Farm, Tyreel Stud, Brooklyn Lodge, Evergreen Thoroughbred Stud, Milburn Creek, Rheinwood Pastoral and Werai Park.

Headlined by $210,000 purchase Black Caviar and $65,000 purchase Igugu, Melbourne Premier graduates have won 45 Group One races across Australia, South Africa, Japan, Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Malaysia and Macau in the last five seasons. Individual Group One winners in that period also include Pinker Pinker, Starspangledbanner, Ortensia, Littorio, Weekend Hussler, Turffontein, Arapaho Miss, Le Drakkar, Reward For Effort, Rostova, Sakima, Golden Gunner, Sanjuan, Ultra Fantasy and Sacred Kingdom.

The 2012 sale will be held over four days from February 27. Sunday February 26 is an Open Inspection Day and follows Super Saturday at Caulfield, when three Group One events including the Blue Diamond, Futurity Stakes and Oakleigh Plate will be held.

Underlining the strength of stallion representation in this year’s Melbourne catalogue the number of yearlings by Australian Champion Sire Lonhro has more than doubled from 13 in 2011 to 30 in 2012. Inglis are also set to offer more yearlings than they ever have in Melbourne by red hot sire Fastnet Rock, with 28 by the son of Danehill catalogued. Former Australian Champion Sires Encosta de Lago (17 lots), Flying Spur (11) and Redoute’s Choice (5) will again be represented at the flourishing sale.

One of the highlights of the sale will no doubt be the brother to four-time Hong Kong Champion Sprinter Sacred Kingdom (by Encosta de Lago), a graduate of Premier himself.

Australian and European Champion Sprinter Starspangledbanner was secured for $120,000 from Melbourne, and his globe-trotting sire Choisir has 22 to be offered at Premier in 2012. Weekend Hussler’s sire Hussonet (USA) has 8 entered, Reward For Effort’s sire Exceed And Excel has 11 and Ortensia’s sire Testa Rossa has 20.

Other proven stallions well represented include Rock Of Gibraltar (IRE) (23), Tale Of The Cat (USA) (21), Not A Single Doubt (19), High Chaparral (IRE) (13), Stratum (13), Starcraft (NZ) (12), Snitzel (11), Charge Forward (10) and Commands (8).

First crop sires are headed by Sebring (27), Northern Meteor (21), Henrythenavigator (USA) (20), Astronomer Royal (USA) (17), Duke Of Marmalade (IRE) (10), Myboycharlie (IRE) (10) and New Approach (IRE) (9).

All yearlings offered at Premier are eligible for nomination into the $5million Inglis Race Series (including the new $2.4million Inglis Triple Crown Bonus).

There is a great diversity of stallions represented in the 2012 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale catalogue, with yearlings to suit all buyers whom Inglis look forward to greeting at the sale during the Melbourne Festival of Racing.

For catalogues visit www.inglis.com.au or call (03) 9333 1422.

Our best wishes to those of our members both buying and selling yearlings at the 2012 sales.

HONG KONG INTERNATIONAL RACEDAY

NSWROA Committee member, Mr Louis Mihalyka, of Laurel Oak Bloodstock, made the trip to Hong Kong for International Raceday on 9 December 2011 and has kindly prepared for the interest of members, the following item.

*   *   *   *   *

In 2003 Laurel Oak Bloodstock clients enjoyed one of the great racehorse ownership experiences – attending the Hong Kong International race meeting as an owner when Into The Night was invited to run in the Hong Kong Sprint. In December we had the pleasure of organising a group of clients to tour Hong Kong for the fourth time since then, reliving the experience albeit without going there as the owner of an invited runner.

The International race meeting at Sha Tin remains one of the great race meetings of the world, held in an exciting and vibrant city that gives you plenty of options, regardless of whether you are a tourist, a culinary enthusiast, or a shopper. While the city itself has its own attractions, the Hong Kong Jockey Club also provides a range of social events to keep you entertained.

The HKJC-organised events start with a race meeting in the spectacular amphitheatre that is Happy Valley. Literally in a valley it is set amongst skyscrapers on Hong Kong Island and is great experience. The track is tight, the quality of horse-flesh modest as it is the Hong Kong equivalent of a midweek meeting, but the feature of the night is the International Jockeys Challenge which this year was won by the charismatic Frankie Dettori.

The following morning is an early start to go to trackwork at Sha Tin. It is early by Hong Kong tourist standards but very civilised by Australian trackwork standards as trackwork for the International horses starts around 9am. This is the best opportunity to get to know the international runners as they all do some form of exercise and are introduced one by one with the work being shown on the big screen. Breakfast caters for all tastes and this morning is a great chance to meet and mix with jockeys, trainers and owners as well as media from around the world. The barrier draw for the International races takes place after breakfast in the magnificent Sha Tin parade ring.

The following days are filled with the Carbine Club Lunch (with a ladies’ equivalent), the spectacular Gala Party and the seafood experience of Lamma Island.

Sunday is grand final day – the International race meeting at Sha Tin. It is a big ten race programme with the International races making up four of those.

Dunaden delivered the racing highlight for Australian supporters as he franked his Melbourne Cup form with a very good win in the Hong Kong Vase over 2400m. Jockey Craig Williams rode him extremely well, and, after allowing the horse to be headed in the straight, when he pushed the button to go Dunaden accelerated and proved what a high-class stayer he is. Red Cadeaux further franked the Melbourne Cup form by dead-heating for third.

With the prizemoney on offer in both Melbourne and Hong Kong, suddenly the whole round trip will have an added attraction for European stayers to come to Melbourne to contest the Cup and then head on to Hong Kong for another rich Group One five weeks later.

After Dunaden’s win, Hong Kong took the racing honours, winning the next three International races. Lucky Nine won the Sprint over 1200m and also had an Aussie connection being ridden by Brett Prebble. Irish-bred Lucky Nine was the first Sprint winner for many years that was not bred in Australia.

The Mile was one for the ‘oldies’. Veteran New Zealand-bred Able One saluted ridden by veteran jockey Jeff Lloyd who is also well-known to Australian racegoers having spent a few seasons here. The Cup over 2000m is theoretically the feature race as it carries the most prizemoney and was won by California Memory and here Darren Beadman was on runner-up Irian.

The meeting concludes with a fireworks display and is the finale to series of events and wonderful raceday well-organised by the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

While it was disappointing that there was a lack of Australian equine representation other than an adopted French son in Dunaden, there was no shortage of Australian visitors at the races, and it was remarkable how popular this week is with Aussies. Bloodstock sales companies and breeders were all there promoting the Australian thoroughbred and upcoming yearling sales, while there were literally hundreds of Australian racing enthusiasts spread throughout the various Hong Kong hotels as part of tour groups. By international standards, Hong Kong is convenient to Australia, and the cost of a week in Hong Kong is a lot friendlier than racing venues further afield. Consequently the popularity of the meeting will continue. While we are already looking forward to a return in 2012 we can strongly recommend the Hong Kong International races as one to add to your racing bucket list.

2012 MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL REMINDER

A reminder to members that 2012 membership renewal fees are now due.

2012 membership fees, inclusive of GST, have remained at the same rate as last year.

I confirm that the Country Membership Rate, which was introduced in 2010, will continue again in 2012 and will also remain at the same rate.

Please note that if you renew your membership by Friday 3 February 2012, you are automatically entered into the “Early Bird” Membership Renewal Competition which has three great prizes on offer.

To those of our members who have already renewed your membership our thanks – your support of the Association is greatly appreciated.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MOUNTED DIVISION

Founded by the Australian Turf Club (ATC) at Royal Randwick, the ATC Mounted Division comprises of ex-thoroughbred racehorses that have been re-habilitated and deployed by the ATC Security and Risk Department for major events and race days across all four ATC venues, Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Warwick Farm and Canterbury Park.

Mounted Security gives the ATC an additional opportunity to aid in the rehabilitation of Thoroughbreds beyond their racing career. Horses are selected for their personality / temperament; physical ability and aptitude. Each horse and rider has to undergo extensive preparation for work in the proximity of large crowds and vehicle traffic.

As security horses their main objective is to patrol on race-day as well as major festivals and events. Early last year the ATC Mounted Division introduced the Mounted Security Patrol Course a training initiative managed by ATC instructors qualified by the University of Louisville, Kentucky USA.

In addition these horses can be utilized in a number of other roles including guest relations and can be commercially engaged for promotional use with some of their more glamorous achievements include starring in the Sydney Carnival campaign, Claratyne television commercial and for the Melbourne Cup promotional tour.

To learn more about the ATC Mounted Division please visit www.atcmounteddivision.com.au

TAB SADDLE-UP SUNDAY MEETING REMINDER –
29 JANUARY 2012 – BALLINA JOCKEY CLUB

A reminder to members that the next TAB Saddle-up Sunday Meeting will be conducted by the Ballina Jockey Club on Sunday 29 January 2012 – the Iris Neilson Ladies Invitational raceday.

This special Saddle-Up Sunday is all about the ladies! Celebrating female jockeys, the 110 year old Ballina Jockey Club will be pulling out all stops for the fifth anniversary of this special raceday.

Visit the website – www.gocountryracing.com.au – for further information on the race meeting, accommodation and local activities to make a perfect weekend away.

ROYAL RANDWICK REDVELOPMENT UPDATE

After extensive works by the Australian Turf Club (ATC) to decommission the Royal Randwick grandstands, redevelopment works have hit another gear.

On Monday 16 January 2012, the building contractors commenced the final strip out of the grandstands and establish site boundaries in preparation for the following week when major demolition will begin.

The first of the demolition works will be the Paddock Stand, commencing Monday 23 January with an expected timeframe of six weeks, followed by the partial demolition of the Queen Elizabeth II Stand and demolition of other surrounding buildings thereafter.

This period of works will mean adjustments to normal training hours and access arrangements. All trainers and jockeys will need to access the infield via means other than the pedestrian tunnel whose entrance is central to the demolition site. ATC will provide weekly updates to trainers via the Racing Department to ensure they are informed of progress and provide a conduit for them to inform us of any issues.

During the redevelopment period, Royal Randwick’s betting auditorium will continue to run in the Officials’ Stand daily.

For your information the next race meeting to be held at Royal Randwick is Turnpoint Randwick Guineas Day on Saturday 17 March 2012.

BOBS & BOBS EXTRA UPDATE

The first major yearling auction of 2012 has been completed and if you look at the results of the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast, you’ll see how important the BOBS program is to owners and trainers in NSW.

The vast majority – almost 90% - of the yearlings being offered were sired by BOBS stallions so it’s hardly surprising that NSW buyers took most of the BOBS Eligible yearlings. What is interesting is how few yearlings by interstate sires found their way to NSW.

Among the offerings were some high quality horses by Queensland stallions including Real Saga, Jet Spur, Show A Heart, Hidden Dragon, Court Command and others, and good representatives from a smaller group of Victorian-based sires such as Astronomer Royal, Magnus, Bel Esprit, Written Tycoon and others.

But with a very small number of exceptions, NSW buyers ignored these interstate-sired yearlings. They are not eligible for BOBS and therefore less attractive to race in this State.

The Gold Coast sale also brought yearling prices back to a more realistic level – a level where buyers didn’t feel they were forced to offer ridiculous sums of money to purchase quality yearlings. It was, by and large, a buyers’ market.

No doubt there are many members of the NSWROA who are now proud owners of yearlings bought on the Gold Coast. Many more are being offered shares by trainers who are eager to finalise ownership arrangements.

So it’s timely to remind everyone that buying a BOBS Eligible yearling does not mean you own a horse that’s entered for BOBS. It means very simply that your horse has been sired by a BOBS nominated stallion.

Now you must make sure your horse is nominated, and that means filling out a form (available on the Racing NSW website, or by mail) and paying the fee of $990. Entries close on 1 September.

The nomination fee for BOBS Extra remains unchanged at $840 and that nomination should be done on the same form. BOBS Extra, like BOBS, has to be entered by 1 September.

Talk to your trainer, talk to your co-owners. Just make sure that someone is putting in that nomination. Recently I took a call from a rather angry owner who had only just realised that a horse she’d bred herself, now a 2-year-old, had not been nominated for BOBS last year and it would now cost her the $5500 late fee. When I questioned her she admitted that as early as July last year a prominent metropolitan trainer had known the horse was joining his stable, yet neither owner nor trainer had talked to the other about putting in a BOBS nomination. It can be an expensive oversight!

If you have won a BOS bonus, remember you can exercise the Double-Up option and then use that money to purchase another BOBS Eligible yearling. You have two years to use the Double-Up bonus.

If you have more than one horse and you want to take the Double-Up option every time one of the horses wins a bonus, fill out the “Convert All Bonuses to Vouchers” form which you’ll find on our website under “BOBS” and “Double-Up.” If you list all your horses on that form, we’ll Double-Up for you automatically whenever you win a bonus.

If you have any questions on BOBS, BOBS Extra or Double-Up, give John Gatfield a call on (02) 9551 7574 or email: jgatfield@racingnsw.com.au.

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 December 2011:

WHAT’S IN A NAME

Have you ever wondered why a horse was named a certain way? Or do you know an interesting story regarding the naming of a horse? If so, Trevor Ives wants to hear from you.

Trevor, who runs Thunder Ridge Stud in Warwick Queensland, is in the process of writing a book on horse names and how people arrived at them. To date Trevor has received responses from as far away as England to assist his quest.

Trevor has advised that any information would be greatly appreciated.

Contact details for Trevor are as follows:

Trevor Ives
Thunder Ridge Stud
Warwick, Queensland
Telephone: (07) 4667 3883
Email: thunderstud@bigpond.com

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 January 2012

STOP PRESS – OFF ET LE RACING – AN AFTERNOON OF INDULGENCE – SUNDAY, 18 MARCH 2012

ADVANCE NOTICE: Members are advised that Sharon Lenton Events, in conjunction with the Association, will be conducting Off Et Le Racing (formerly the Golden Slipper Hats and Tea) on Sunday 18 March 2012 at the Hughenden Hotel, Woollahra.

Hosted by Australia’s only Female Race Caller, Victoria Shaw, this is an afternoon of indulgence. Click here to view a flyer for the event.