Media Releases and Articles

Media Releases and Articles

Political Support For Breeders

Dear Breeder,

Last night Thoroughbred Breeders Australia hosted a function in Canberra with the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers.

This event, now in its fourth year, is an important one for breeders as it gives us a chance to explain our industry to legislators.

Given the scrutiny that breeding and racing are under following the ABC’s 7.30 report, last night’s event was more timely than ever before.

There was strong attendance from across the political divide and the speakers included Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals leader and Riverina MP Michael McCormack, Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese, Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino, and Shadow Agriculture Minister, Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon.

Click here to see video from the evening

I addressed the meeting first and made clear that TBA is committed to addressing any welfare issue.

“We have the courage and we have the determination to ensure that we have an industry that we can all be proud of,” Mr Reilly said.

“We must address the issues the ABC has raised. As an industry we will be judged by our response.”

There was support for the industry’s response to animal welfare issues raised in an ABC report about retired thoroughbreds last week.

Michael McCormack addressed the footage: “No breeder, no jockey, no trainer, no self-respecting person in the racing industry would want to see horses end up that way,” he said.

“It’s just not the way racing does things.”

Mr McCormack also praised the racing and breeding industries for boosting employment and economic outcomes for regional Australia.

“Whether it’s a little dusty country race track out in the middle of nowhere, or whether it’s the Murrumbidgee Turf Club which is a magnificent facility in Wagga Wagga and everything in between,” he said.

“Well done to you breeders, you owners and everyone involved.

“This government will always back you every step of the way, I know I share bipartisanship when I say that.”

Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese labelled what was shown on 7.30 as an outrage, saying it shocked him.

“I’m confident that your industry will work your butt off,” he said.

“You’ll open yourselves up to scrutiny because you don’t want any taint whatsoever.”

He said the combined racing and breeding industries provided almost $10 billion to Australia’s economy and about 90,000 jobs.

“I say on behalf of the Labor Party, it’s good you’ve got on the front foot,” the party’s leader said.

“It’s important governments take action where appropriate as well.”

Mr Albanese said the national economy and people’s quality of life couldn’t afford for the industry to be damaged.

“We can’t afford, for what is overwhelmingly such a positive experience, to be damaged as well.

“We will do anything we can do to provide assistance.”

As well as last night’s event, I had a number of meetings in Canberra with politicians and senior bureaucrats to discuss possible actions in response to the ABC’s report.

TBA has also had meetings with Racing Australia and I hope to report on some initiatives shortly.

A copy of the speech I gave at the event is available here.

Please don’t hesitate to get in contact if you would like to discuss any of the above in more detail.

Kind regards,

Tom

Tom Reilly
Chief Executive
Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

Speech by TBA chief executive Tom Reilly

Ladies and gentlemen, firstly let me thank you for your attendance tonight for what is an important evening for breeders.

Ours is a pursuit that is stitched deeply into the fabric of Australia. 

Thoroughbreds came to these shores on the First Fleet and racing was first held well over 200 years ago.

In modern Australia, the thoroughbred business, across all its broad reach, supports 72,000 full time jobs, and generates more than $9 billion for the national economy.

But as many of you will be aware, the racing and breeding industries have been under intense scrutiny since the airing of an ABC investigation into the mistreatment of thoroughbreds last week.

The footage of that mistreatment was nothing short of appalling.

I, like every breeder, every owner, and every trainer who has seen that footage, was horrified.

What we saw was not the thoroughbred industry I know, where care and respect for the horse is paramount.

From the foaling staff that stay up through the night to help a mare deliver her young, to the yearling team who educate young horses, the strapper that wakes at 3am every morning to care for the racehorse, through to the retrainers who ensure our horses get a second opportunity to have a meaningful life after the track, there is a commitment to the welfare of the animal.

But we must address the issues raised by the ABC.

As an industry we will be judged by our response.

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia has called for the establishment of a welfare taskforce, a task force that must include independent experts.

We must look at this issue nationally and collaboratively.

We will need the input of the federal and state governments as well as all interested stakeholders.

As an industry we need to ensure the highest care for our horses and commit that every horse that leaves racing that can have a productive career has that opportunity.

As the chief executive of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia I can tell you that we are committed to this cause and we have the courage and determination to ensure we have an industry that we can all be proud of.

Thank you.

Political Support For Breeders

    Federal politicians from across the political divide have rallied behind thoroughbred breeding, as the industry committed to tackling any issue around welfare.

    Ministers, shadow ministers, MPs and senators met with industry leaders at Parliament House in Canberra for an annual event organised by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers.

    There was praise for the industry’s response to animal welfare issues raised in an ABC report about retired thoroughbreds last week. 

    Deputy Prime Minister, Nationals Leader and Riverina MP Michael McCormack addressed the footage.

    “No breeder, no jockey, no trainer, no self-respecting person in the racing industry would want to see horses end up that way,” he said.

    “It’s just not the way racing does things.”

    Mr McCormack praised the racing and breeding industries for boosting employment and economic outcomes for regional Australia.

    “Whether it’s a little dusty country race track out in the middle of nowhere, or whether it’s the Murrumbidgee Turf Club which is a magnificent facility in Wagga Wagga and everything in between,” he said.

    “Well done to you breeders, you owners and everyone involved.

    “This government will always back you every step of the way, I know I share bipartisanship when I say that.”

    Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese labeled what was shown on 7.30 as an outrage, saying it shocked him.

    “I’m confident that your industry will work your butt off,” he said.

    “You’ll open yourselves up to scrutiny because you don’t want any taint whatsoever.”

    He said the combined racing and breeding industries provided almost $10 billion to Australia’s economy and about 90,000 jobs.

    “I say on behalf of the Labor Party, it’s good you’ve got on the front foot,” the party’s leader said. 

    “It’s important governments take action where appropriate as well.” 

    Mr Albanese said the national economy and people’s quality of life couldn’t afford for the industry to be damaged.

    “We can’t afford, for what is overwhelmingly such a positive experience, to be damaged as well.

    “We will do anything we can do to provide assistance.”

    TBA chief executive Tom Reilly, who spoke first, said the racing and breeding industries had been under intense scrutiny in the past week.

    “I, like every breeder, every owner and every trainer I’ve spoken to, was horrified by what we saw,” he said.

    “What we saw was not the industry I know.”

    He said the industry needed to ensure the highest care of horses and commit to ensuring every animal leaving racing had the chance of a productive career.

    “We have the courage and we have the determination to ensure that we have an industry that we can all be proud of,” Mr Reilly said.

    “We must address the issues the ABC has raised. As an industry we will be judged by our response.”

    TBA has called for the establishment of a national welfare task force including all stakeholders and independent experts.

    Foreign Affairs Minister Marise Payne, who breeds and races horses, also attended the event along with high-ranking diplomats from premier racing nations.

    New Zealand High Commissioner Dame Annette King, Chinese Ambassador Cheng Jingye, Singapore High Commissioner Kwok Fook Seng and Irish Ambassador Breandán Ó Caollaí were among the guests.

    Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino and co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers said she wanted the industry to know it was appreciated by the government.

    “We know you’re so important to this nation,” she said. “As breeders you do a great job producing the best racehorses in the world and we should be proud of the quality of our industry.”

    Shadow Agriculture Minister, Hunter MP and co-convenor of the Parliamentary Friends of Primary Producers Joel Fitzgibbon described it as an important parliamentary event.

    “Every year the breeders come to this event and explain what you do to all of us in Canberra, and that’s an important job,” he said.

    Minister for Drought, Water Resources and Emergency Management David Littleproud attended with Nationals colleagues Barnaby Joyce, Damian Drum – a part-owner of Cox Plate hopeful Kings Will Dream – Pat Conaghan, David Gillespie and Michelle Landry.

    Labor senators Anthony Chisholm and Raff Ciccone were there to support the thoroughbred industry.

    Among those attending from the Liberal Party were Assistant Minister for Vocational Training, Steve Irons, Nicole Flint, Tony Pasin and John Alexander, and senator Hollie Hughes.

    ENDS

    Video of the evening to follow shortly. 
    A copy of Tom Reilly’s speech is also available. 

    For more information contact Tom Reilly on 0423 146 334

    TBA Calls For A National Task Force

    The board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) today had a teleconference to discuss the issues raised in last night’s 7.30 program.

    As a result of that meeting we are calling for a national welfare taskforce to be established that would include all industry stakeholders.

    We believe it is important that we come together as an industry to look at the issue of welfare and have a full and frank discussion and assess where we can make improvements.

    Below is a piece that I wrote to appear in the Sydney Morning Herald tomorrow that expands on some of the challenges we face.

    Already many of you have contacted me with ideas on measures we need to implement to deal with issues raised in the ABC report. All of these are gratefully received.

    We will continue to keep you updated on these matters.

    Kind regards,

    Tom

    Sydney Morning Herald, Saturday 19th October 2019

    Rightly there was outrage at the treatment of the horses shown in Thursday night’s ABC 7.30 program. Like everybody who watched the investigation, I was appalled by what I saw. As an industry, we can and must do better.

    First, I’d like to address footage of the treatment of the horses at the abattoirs and slaughterhouses in the moments before they died.

    This isn’t to shift the blame and point the finger at those who are outside the thoroughbred industry, but no animal, whether it is a thoroughbred horse, a cow or a sheep should be mistreated in the way the horses were in Caro Meldrum-Hanna’s investigation. Any animal that is being processed at an abattoir should be treated humanely and with dignity.

    There is state-based regulation and licensing of these facilities and it is incumbent on all state and territory governments that these standards are being met. If laws have been broken, then those responsible should face prosecution.

    Of course, we as a thoroughbred industry must also look at our practices and consider what changes we need to make on the back of this investigation. Most importantly, we urgently need to establish a national industry taskforce to deal with the welfare of our animals.

    This must include all stakeholders: from breeders through to racehorse owners, trainers, administrators and the many people who do important work retraining racehorses when their career on the track is over. This taskforce should also include independent welfare experts and be transparent in its findings.

    On Friday the TBA contacted almost all the breeders whose animals featured in the 7.30 report. All were shocked that animals they had raised and cared for should be mistreated, and none of those farms had sent those horses directly to an abattoir or livestock sale. The route, where it was known by the breeder, of those horses arriving at an abattoir often involved being sold for racing and then its ownership being transferred a number of times.

    This highlights perhaps the biggest challenge we face in breeding and racing. What happens to a horse when it is transferred out of our industry? What happens when it leaves the jurisdiction of racing’s regulators?

    At present, there is no formal traceability of a horse after it is retired and sold out of racing.

    There is currently a Senate inquiry into establishing a national traceability scheme for all horses. My organisation, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, along with Racing Australia, has supported the creation of a model that will register who owns every horse and record where that animal is being kept.

    That registry would be important in ensuring that every owner of every horse provides a minimum standard of care. I urge the Senate committee to make its recommendations as quickly as possible.

    I have no doubt that the overwhelming majority of people in the industry, such as breeders, trainers and owners, care deeply for their horses.

    In breeding and racing there is already a strong regulatory framework that should ensure administrators know where a horse is at all times. The 7.30 program suggested there may be shortcomings in that data collection and, if true, that needs to be addressed.

    There is a lot of good work being done to find homes for retired racehorses or horses that are not suitable to go into training. In NSW and Victoria, 1 per cent of prizemoney is set aside for welfare, with much of this going towards rehoming.

    But as part of an industry review we need to ask ourselves whether there is enough being done to create pathways for horses to enjoy a rewarding or meaningful second career.

    We also need to acknowledge that some of the people who have taken racehorses in the past may be struggling to care for them while much of rural and regional Australia deals with the most crippling drought in history. This makes the ongoing care of a thoroughbred a financial burden beyond many people.

    As the head of the national peak body for breeders, I know we must also look to our own practices. The numbers of foals being produced has dropped from 18,500 in the 2000s to about 14,000 now. Whether that is the right number or not is something we need to consider as part of an industry-led review.

    We take the care of our horses seriously. We established welfare guidelines in 2016 that our 4500 members accepted. We created a thoroughbred levy, paid by all breeders, so we can spend $1 million a year on projects to benefit equine welfare.

    In 2018 we organised two summits with other stakeholders to discuss welfare and hear from other industries on their approaches. While everybody at those meetings agreed there were challenges, finding consensus for a national and collaborative approach proved too difficult.

    As an industry we need to ensure that we are united in meeting our challenges.

    Tom Reilly is the chief executive officer of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.

    TBA Press Release

    Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) condemns in the strongest terms the treatment of horses shown in tonight’s ABC 7.30 program.

    “I am appalled by the vision broadcast tonight,” said Tom Reilly, chief executive of TBA.

    “All horses, whether thoroughbreds or not, deserve to be treated humanely and with dignity,” added Mr Reilly.

    “The full force of the law should be brought down on anybody in the footage shown mistreating those horses.

    “The thoroughbred industry needs a full and frank discussion about what happens to horses when they leave the industry. And while there is good work being done to rehome horses, we have to look at how participants and regulators can and must do better.

    “We also need to have confidence in the numbers the industry publishes about what happens to animals when they leave racing.”

    ENDS

    2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards (GSSSA) Recognise Excellence

    The 2019 GSSSA winners (Godolphin/Lisa Grimm)

    When David Merrick started working for Widden Stud in 1992, breeding legends such as Bletchingly and Marscay were ruling the roost, Paul Keating was Prime Minister, the Brisbane Broncos won their first premiership, Mabo was decided and we were watching shows like Acropolis Now.

    Mobile reception? “Crikey, we were lucky to get TV reception,” Merrick says with a laugh.

    Elevated to Stud Manager the following year, Merrick has been a mainstay for Australia’s most historic farm and, somewhat fittingly, was recognised for his service by being honoured with the ‘Thoroughbred Excellence’ gong at last Friday’s Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards.

    Merrick also collected the ‘Dedication to Breeding’ Award at the Randwick ceremony which was attended by leading trainers Tony McEvoy and James Cummings, MP Michael Johnsen, Widden principal Antony Thompson and Vinery Stud general manager Peter Orton.

    Last year Merrick was named the winner of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders’ coveted Murray Bain Award which acknowledges the outstanding achievements of those who champion exceptional service and hands on practice.

    Merrick’s nominator, Widden manager Derek Field, praised him for his leadership, dedication and “a total involvement in every aspect of the business at any time of the night or day, year-after-year.”

    “David’s passion and time and his selfless attitude of forever giving is something he should be proud of,” Field enthused. “His one-on-one relationships with our clients are testimony to the regard in which he is held and the utmost trust and respect of all who work with him. David has devoted his life to the breeding industry.”

    Merrick was one of seven award winners who were chosen from a record 150 nominations from every Australian state and territory representing every area of the industry.

    Each of the winners received a trophy and a cash prize of $10,000 with $3000 to share among fellow workers. Each runner-up each received $1000, aside from The Newcomer Award, who received $5000 plus $3000 to fellow workers, plus an all-expenses paid trip to Dubai. The runner-up received $1000.

    The Thoroughbred Excellence Award winner received a trophy and $5000 in addition to their prize for winning their category, plus an additional $2000 to fellow workers.

    Dedication to Breeding: David Merrick (Widden Stud)

    Runner-up: Stephanie Mitchell (Mungrup Stud)

    Dedication to Racing: Steve Adams (Anthony Freedman Racing)

    Runner-Up: Michael Shepherdson (McEvoy Mitchell Racing)

    Leadership: David White (Vinery Stud)

    Runner-up: Simon Johnson (Godolphin)

    Horsemanship: Warren Sutton (McEvoy Mitchell Racing)

    Runner-up: Nigel Bentley (Arrowfield Stud)

    Administration: Cecelia O’Gorman (Thoroughbred Breeders Australia)

    Runner-up: Susan Willis (Yulong Investments)

    Care and Welfare: Lindy Thewlis (self-employed)

    Runner-up: Fiona McIntrye (self-employed).

    Newcomer: Talia Cranfield (Godolphin)

    Runner-Up: Alyssa Pickels (Kitchwin Hills Stud)

    View the 2019 Godolphin Stud and Stable Staff Awards Night

    The GSSSA, sponsored by Godolphin and partners throughout the industry and convened by Racing Australia and Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, aims to recognise and reward those who work in all areas of the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry.

    “The Awards are a brilliant concept by Godolphin and truly acknowledge so many of the unsung heroes in the thoroughbred industry,” Aushorse CEO, Tom Reilly, points out. “We revel in the deeds of superstars like Winx, but it’s all the workers behind the scenes that keep the trains running on time.

    “I’m very proud of our own Cecelia O’Gorman, who has done a power of work in training up industry staff and was recognised in the ‘Administration’ category, while the Godolphin Awards are also supported by the Australian Turf Club, Melbourne Racing Club and Tabcorp.

    “As we’ve seen with the record nominations this year, the Godolphin Stud & Stable Staff Awards are deservedly gaining greater traction and will undoubtedly encourage many other employees in one of Australia’s largest industries.”

    Hendra Virus

    Dear Breeder,

    Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders Association (HTBA) is writing to notify you of a case of Hendra Virus that has occurred in a horse in the Upper Hunter Valley.

    It is important to note that this case occurred on an isolated non-Thoroughbred farm, some 50 km from Scone.

    It is, however, the first confirmed case of Hendra in the Upper Hunter region and is therefore a reminder that farms and veterinarians in the region should be vigilant for potential cases of the disease.

    The recent incident involved a 25 year-old mare that was unvaccinated. She was euthanized by her owners after showing neurological signs of distress and then becoming unresponsive. Samples from the mare were collected last Sunday and the Hendra Virus infection confirmed on Wednesday.

    HTBA President Dr Cameron Collins, who is also managing director of Scone Equine Hospital, urged all people working with horses to be vigilant and aware of the disease.

    “The message to people who work with horses is to keep them away from flying foxes (fruit bats). It is also very important to remember to observe hygiene and biosecurity protocols. As a rule, people should avoid direct contact with any discharge or secretion from any horse, whether it is sick or not.”

    Hendra is most likely to appear during the winter months, and has the likelihood of fatal consequences in horses. There have also been four known occasions in Australia where humans have died as a result of contracting the disease, though each of these cases has occurred when the possibility of Hendra virus was not considered.

    Hendra is endemic in flying foxes and they can transmit the disease so it is important to ensure horses do not have feed or water underneath trees where flying foxes are feeding or roosting.

    TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said farms should review their protocols for dealing with sick horses and contact a veterinarian immediately if they had any concerns.

    He said: “This is an isolated case, remote from Thoroughbred breeding centres of the Hunter however it is a reminder to people to be aware and alert when it comes to dealing with sick horses.

    “TBA encourages farms to review their protocols for dealing with horses showing signs of sickness and to contact their veterinarian immediately if they have any concerns.”

    Hendra can be difficult to identify with signs often being mild. These can include an increased temperature, lethargy, respiratory discharge or distress, neurological signs, mild colic signs or sudden death.

    A highly protective and safe Hendra vaccine is available and involves two initial vaccinations 21-42 days apart followed by a booster at six months, and then annual boosters after that. The vaccine is safe and effective and no vaccinated horse has contracted the disease.

    Hendra Vaccination

    Vaccination of horses against Hendra virus is the single most effective way of reducing the risk of Hendra virus infection in both horses and humans, vaccinations must be carried out by a Veterinarian and registered. Human infection and deaths have occurred following high-level exposure to body fluids from infected horses. Vaccinating horses is an important measure to prevent this occurring and provides a public health and workplace health and safety benefit.

    Reminder to Horse Farms

    1. This is the season when Hendra virus is more common in NSW i.e. the cooler months of the year.
    2. Horse farms should talk to their vet about vaccinating their horses for Hendra virus to protect both the horses and their human handlers.
    3. The symptoms of Hendra virus infection are not specific. Horses may be listless, feverish, show signs of colic, neurological signs (wobbly, head tilt, unusual gait etc), respiratory symptoms, abnormal behaviour or die suddenly.
    4. Farms with sick horses should contact their local veterinarian who will notify a Local Lands Service inspector or an inspector with DPI if they consider the case highly suspect for Hendra virus.
    5. Owners should be aware of the risks associated with handling sick horses. The signs of Hendra virus are quite variable so all sick horses should be handled cautiously and carefully and with as little contact as possible.
    6. Children, domestic pets and other companion horses should not contact sick horses.

    Management of suspect Hendra cases
    • Always use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when handling sick horses
    • DO NOT allow sick horses to be handled by children or other people.
    • Isolate sick horses from pets or other horses.
    • DO NOT allow dogs or other animals to contact sick or dead horses. Keep them away from the sick horse and its body fluids.
    • DO NOT move sick horses to another area as this may spread the infection.

    Further information:

    The DPI website ‘Hendra virus” contains further information.
    DPI website – https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0019/310492/Hendra-Virus-Primefact-970-1.pdf

    Other contact details include:

    NSW Health has a factsheet that has important information regarding human health risks for Hendra virus – Hendra factsheet or phone NSW Health on 1300 066 055.

    STRATEGY REVIEW 2019

    As we edge closer to the completion of the yearling sales and start contemplating the 2019 breeding season, I would like to point you to Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) and Aushorse’s recently released report titled Strategy Review 2019.

    This report outlines key initiatives undertaken in 2018 and looks at major issues we are trying to resolve in 2019.

    Click below to read Strategy Review 2019

    http://tbaus.smedia.com.au/digital-magazine

    Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me or a member of the TBA or Aushorse team if you would like to discuss any aspect of what we do on behalf of the industry.

    Tom Reilly
    Chief Executive Officer

    T +61 2 9663 8581
    F +61 2 9663 8471
    M +61 (0) 423 146 334

    Thoroughbred Breeders Australia Celebrates 100 Years

    Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) celebrated its centenary year with the announcement of the Basil Nolan Jnr scholarship at an event on the Gold Coast.

    More than 200 breeders and industry figures were present as TBA president Basil Nolan acknowledged the award that was created and funded by Aushorse, and named in honour of his late son.

    The scholarship will be available to graduates of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s traineeship program, Fast Track, allowing one graduate every year to study overseas.

    Aushorse chairman Antony Thompson said the scholarship continued the organisation’s commitment to the future of thoroughbred breeding in Australia.

    “The Fast Track program is only in its second year and already it’s been a real success, attracting some great young people to the industry,” Thompson said at Monday night’s event.

    “This prize will provide a graduate the opportunity to expand their knowledge base and broaden their experience, allowing them to go overseas and study on the Irish National Stud course or a similar program.

    “The Aushorse board are delighted to name the scholarship after Basil who was a wonderful man and embodied so much that is great about the Australian breeding industry.”

    Basil Nolan Jnr died in a farming accident on his family’s Raheen Stud last November.

    Among the speakers at the Centenary celebration were two of this year’s Fast Track trainees, Lachie Pethica and Alyssa Pickles, who talked about their experiences and how the program gave them a start in the breeding industry.

    Journalist Michael Hedge, who wrote the history of TBA for its 100th year, told the audience about the founding of the organisation and its first president, Hugh Denision, a successful breeder and businessman who was forced to change his name after reports of his huge betting wins embarrassed his family.

    Click below to view a Flipbook of the TBA Centenary Booklet.


    TBA Centenary Booklet – Celebrating 100 Years of Breeding (1919 – 2019)

    TBA president Basil Nolan paid tribute to the breeders who began TBA.

    “Back 100 years ago a group of breeders had the foresight to see that if they worked together, that if they united with one voice, they would be able to change breeding for the better.

    
“We owe those founders a debt of gratitude because TBA has been a powerful voice that has benefited breeders these past 100 years.”

    Many of the responsibilities for TBA remain the same now as they did back in 1919, according to TBA chief executive Tom Reilly.

    “The body has an important job as an advocate for the industry, dealing with government in particular. Back in its early days it had to get politicians to grant cheaper train travel for yearlings going to sales, while recently we have been dealing with issues such as visas for overseas workers, federal funding for research and development and export protocols,” he said.

    “While the issues may have changed, the need for a strong and united industry voice has not and never will.”

    TBA Centenary Celebration video
    Amy Feng, Mr Zhang Yuesheng and TBA CEO Tom Reilly
    Alistair Pulford, Vin Cox and Sam Hayes
    Sam Hayes and TBA president Basil Nolan
    Harry Perks, Adam Sangster and Sam Matthews

    For more information contact Tom Reilly on 0423 146 334

    Breeding’s Next Crop Begin Their Journey

    Seventeen new Fast Track trainees began their journey into the world of thoroughbred breeding on Monday with the aim of building successful careers in the industry.

    Launched last year by Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) in collaboration with TAFE NSW in response to staffing shortages in the breeding sector, the Fast Track training program offers passionate horse people a formal pathway into the industry.

    Over the next 12-months, trainees will study for a Certificate III in Horse Breeding at TAFE NSW Scone while completing full-time traineeships with some of the country’s most respected stud farms.

    More than 250 applications were received from around the country, leading to an increase in the number of places offered on the program.

    “The response to this year’s intake has been outstanding, with double the number of applications from last year,” said TBA Chief Executive, Tom Reilly.

    “It demonstrates to us that there are plenty of people out there who would love to build a career working with horses and who are just looking for a start. Fast Track offers exactly that; 12 months practical experience working on a reputable farm combined with a formal qualification. It is the perfect entry-level pathway.

    “The program is really starting to build momentum and I am confident that we can continue to grow Fast Track into something that is of real benefit to breeders,” added Mr Reilly.

    Widden Stud principal Antony Thompson, said the program plays an important role in addressing a major issue for breeders.

    “Staffing has been identified as an area of concern for breeders and there is a real need for an initiative like this. We took a trainee on last year and were determined to support the program again in 2019.

    “The course content does a great job providing the trainees with the foundational skills and knowledge needed to get started. They really seem to hit the ground running when they get to the farms.
    “TBA has shown great leadership in this area and I am confident that we’ll continue to see the benefits of their hard work.”

    The 2019 cohort is made up of students from New South Wales, ACT, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland. Among the intake is a qualified accountant, a beauty therapist and a dive master. The majority of the group have had little to no exposure to thoroughbreds.

    The group will spend the next four weeks at TAFE NSW Scone campus where they take part in an intensive learning experience designed to prepare them for life working on a stud farm.

    Trainees return to Scone in late July for another two weeks of structured learning before re-joining their farms where they continue their on-the-job learning for the remainder of the 12 months.

    “A first for the industry, the Fast Track program allows students to combine their TAFE NSW studies with paid employment as they gain the essential knowledge and practical skills employers require of successful participants in the thoroughbred breeding industry,” said TAFE NSW Scone Head Teacher, Animal Care & Management, Suzanne Walsh.

    Along with the formal units of study, TBA has organised a host of additional lectures and field trips to ensure trainees get the best possible introduction to the industry.

    There is also a strong focus on personal development with the group taking part in first aid, defensive driver training, a personal finance workshop and mental health first aid.

    The first crop of Fast Track trainees are nearing the end of their 12-months in the program and have made positive impressions on the farms where they are undertaking their practical work placements.

    Trainee Alyssa Pickels is based at Kitchwin Hills and like many others in the first group, will stay in the industry after graduation.

    “The Fast Track program has introduced me to the wide range of opportunities in the thoroughbred industry. The many experiences provided through the program have shown me that I can have more than just a job, I can make it a career,” said Pickels.

    “It’s really exciting to see our inaugural intake near completion. I have had the pleasure of getting to know this group over the last year and I am extremely proud of how far they have come in what is a relatively short period of time,” said Fast Track coordinator Cecelia O’Gorman.

    “Watching them grow to become valued team members on their farms has been hugely rewarding and I can’t wait to see what they go on to achieve in our industry.”

    ENDS
    For more information please contact:
    Tom Reilly 0423 146 334
    Cecelia O’Gorman 0411 696 036

    Verified by MonsterInsights