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Harness Breeders NEWS SNIPPETS - Short Bites

News Snippets
  • HRNZ's recent Annual General Meeting (Saturday 14 October) unanimously adopted a resolution that will see the introduction of new Regional and National Consultation Forums - together with a new, merit- and skills-based appointment process for the selection of the HRNZ Directors. These ground-breaking changes were moved by the NZ Standardbred Breeders Associ... 'Change' is afoot in New Zealand 28th October 2023 HRNZ's recent Annual General Meeting (Saturday 14 October) unanimously adopted a resolution that will see the introduction of new Regional and National Consultation Forums - together with a new, merit- and skills-based appointment process for the selection of the HRNZ Directors. These ground-breaking changes were moved by the NZ Standardbred Breeders Associ... ... more
  • SURELY YOU GEST? The Altrenogest Chronicles - presented as The Lores of Nature ! 9th October 2023 SURELY YOU GEST? The Altrenogest Chronicles - presented as "A Brief History of Time" culminating in "The Great Paradox" and "The Butterfly Effect" ... make for fascinating, albeit depressing reading. ... more
  • This week (Sept. 19 - 22) we see the first round of heats for the NSW Breeders Challenge 'Major Series' for 2023 -- but a review of the nominations for the 3-year old Series highlights a desperately worrying trend: A LACK OF YOUNG HORSES! With just 98 nominations across both sexes, spread across four tracks (Menangle Park / Bathurst / Riverina / and Newca... Where are our 3 year olds?? 20th September 2023 This week (Sept. 19 - 22) we see the first round of heats for the NSW Breeders Challenge 'Major Series' for 2023 -- but a review of the nominations for the 3-year old Series highlights a desperately worrying trend: A LACK OF YOUNG HORSES! With just 98 nominations across both sexes, spread across four tracks (Menangle Park / Bathurst / Riverina / and Newca... ... more
  • Do you remember how, when first floating the concept of a Stallion Registration Levy as a means of underwriting Exposing the Lies - Part 1 29th August 2023 Do you remember how, when first floating the concept of a Stallion Registration Levy as a means of underwriting "the world's richest harness race", Harness Racing Australia blithely claimed it was simply analogous to any other Agricultural or Livestock Levy? Well - surprise, surprise - they LIED! ... more
  •  A big shout-out to SWEET LOU following the running of the 40th PEPSI North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Ontario, Canada last weekend. Not only did he sire three of the ten qualifiers for this prestigious event - in ITS MY SHOW, CONFEDERATE, and AMMO - but he delivered the race quinella thanks to Its My Show finishing a head to the good of the fast-... Stunning SWEET LOU Quinella 23rd June 2023 A big shout-out to SWEET LOU following the running of the 40th PEPSI North America Cup at Woodbine Mohawk Park, Ontario, Canada last weekend. Not only did he sire three of the ten qualifiers for this prestigious event - in ITS MY SHOW, CONFEDERATE, and AMMO - but he delivered the race quinella thanks to Its My Show finishing a head to the good of the fast-... ... more
  • Today (March 29, 2023) the Minister for Racing in Tasmania (Ms Madeleine Ogilvie) announced that Mr Ray Murrihy shall chair an independent review into Integrity, and Animal Welfare, within the Tasmanian Harness Racing Industry - which is certainly a welcome step in the right direction. But, we ask, why did it necessitate an ABC Television exposé to bring ab... Some Progress - at last ! 29th March 2023 Today (March 29, 2023) the Minister for Racing in Tasmania (Ms Madeleine Ogilvie) announced that Mr Ray Murrihy shall chair an independent review into Integrity, and Animal Welfare, within the Tasmanian Harness Racing Industry - which is certainly a welcome step in the right direction. But, we ask, why did it necessitate an ABC Television exposé to bring ab... ... more
  • Harness Racing NSW sagely wrote in their 2021/22 Season Happy New Year - NOT ! 5th January 2023 Harness Racing NSW sagely wrote in their 2021/22 Season "Breeding Report": "The effects of the continual decreases in live foals will most likely take five (5) to seven (7) years to be realised in the horse population, however if foal numbers continue to drop then the current number of meetings and races in NSW may not be able to be maintained". Well, what... ... more
  • So here we are, a full week past the HRA-imposed 31st October 2022 Deadline for the mandatory Registration of Stallions -- as per their June 16, 2022 edict -- and we have the situation where more than THIRTY popular, and widely advertised stallions that are STILL NOT REGISTERED! So can we anticipate that, in twelve months time, we will have hundreds of foals... HRA, It's Your Move ... 7th November 2022 So here we are, a full week past the HRA-imposed 31st October 2022 Deadline for the mandatory Registration of Stallions -- as per their June 16, 2022 edict -- and we have the situation where more than THIRTY popular, and widely advertised stallions that are STILL NOT REGISTERED! So can we anticipate that, in twelve months time, we will have hundreds of foals... ... more
  • HRA, can't you get anything right?
OK, we understand that the studs have to REGISTER each and every stallion 'standing' in Australia in the 2022/23 season, online, (https://www.harness.org.au/owners-breeders/landing-page-register-your-stallion/) this being part of your new, revenue-raising 'Stallion Registration Fee' regime.
But why on earth isn't this... An Utter Shambles 19th October 2022 HRA, can't you get anything right? OK, we understand that the studs have to REGISTER each and every stallion 'standing' in Australia in the 2022/23 season, online, (https://www.harness.org.au/owners-breeders/landing-page-register-your-stallion/) this being part of your new, revenue-raising 'Stallion Registration Fee' regime. But why on earth isn't this... ... more
  • In October 2021, Harness Racing Australia released a puff-piece entitled The Selling The Lies ... 6th October 2022 In October 2021, Harness Racing Australia released a puff-piece entitled The "Advance Australia" Concept Paper, which was, in effect, a precursor to their announcement of The 'TAB Eureka' Slot Race - and their plan to tax local breeders in order to underwrite this race, and their unfettered desire to spruik 'the world's richest harness race'. It is worth re... ... more
  • For months now, The Breeders Voice Inc. - together with a high-profile delegation of breeders and stud owners - has been seeking a meeting with the Board of Harness Racing NSW in order to better understand their blind support of HRA's Stallion Levy / Stallion Registration Fee (as a means of underwriting The Eureka! Slot Race), and hopefully have them rescin... Meeting Request DENIED ! 20th August 2022 For months now, The Breeders Voice Inc. - together with a high-profile delegation of breeders and stud owners - has been seeking a meeting with the Board of Harness Racing NSW in order to better understand their blind support of HRA's Stallion Levy / Stallion Registration Fee (as a means of underwriting The Eureka! Slot Race), and hopefully have them rescin... ... more
  • Earlier this month (August 3rd to be precise) The Breeders Voice Inc. wrote to HRA Chair Mr. Graeme Campbell requesting answers to four very simple questions that we had concerning the HRA Executives' vote in favour of a Stallion Levy (new Stallion Registration Fees). You can read this letter via our website ... A RESPONSE, BUT NO ANSWERS ... naturally! 11th August 2022 Earlier this month (August 3rd to be precise) The Breeders Voice Inc. wrote to HRA Chair Mr. Graeme Campbell requesting answers to four very simple questions that we had concerning the HRA Executives' vote in favour of a Stallion Levy (new Stallion Registration Fees). You can read this letter via our website ... ... more
  • Harness Racing Australia (HRA) recently announced that - following Time to suspend disbelief! 24th June 2022 Harness Racing Australia (HRA) recently announced that - following "consultations" - they intend to introduce changes to The Australian Trotting Stud Book most notably with respect to "the process of application, approval, and fees associated with Registering (of) Stallions in the Stud Book". And, as part of this Advice Notice, we are told - or led to belie... ... more
  • A big shout-out to the dynamic Australian duo of Todd McCarthy and Noel Daley, for taking out today's North American Cup in Ontario CA, with the Downbytheseaside entire PEBBLE BEACH. After reaching the top at the halfway point, Pebble Beach never looked like relinquishing the race, and came away to win by 3 lengths from Beach Glass in 1:50.0 dead. Congratulations !! 19th June 2022 A big shout-out to the dynamic Australian duo of Todd McCarthy and Noel Daley, for taking out today's North American Cup in Ontario CA, with the Downbytheseaside entire PEBBLE BEACH. After reaching the top at the halfway point, Pebble Beach never looked like relinquishing the race, and came away to win by 3 lengths from Beach Glass in 1:50.0 dead. ... more
  • You will, of course, remember that one of the 'compelling reasons' HRA offered for the introduction of a Shuttle / Import Semen Stallion Tax -- as outlined in their press release dated May 10, 2021 -- was that:
WHAT ?? Please tell me it isn't so ... 3rd June 2022 You will, of course, remember that one of the 'compelling reasons' HRA offered for the introduction of a Shuttle / Import Semen Stallion Tax -- as outlined in their press release dated May 10, 2021 -- was that: "International Stallions claimed almost 70-cents in every dollar spent on service fees in Australia in the 2020/21 season". ... more
  • THE EUREKA!? It scarcely passes muster, when stacked up against things like The Miracle Mile or Chariots of Fire, you'd have to say. They just don't make 'em like they used to, it seems. BUT, thanks to The Breeders Voice man on the inside (aka Fly-on-the-Wall) we can provide you with a sneak look at the minutes of HRA's Executive Meeting when they settled ... WHAT'S IN A NAME? A lot we would suggest. 30th May 2022 THE EUREKA!? It scarcely passes muster, when stacked up against things like The Miracle Mile or Chariots of Fire, you'd have to say. They just don't make 'em like they used to, it seems. BUT, thanks to The Breeders Voice man on the inside (aka Fly-on-the-Wall) we can provide you with a sneak look at the minutes of HRA's Executive Meeting when they settled ... ... more
  • The promoters of, and apologists for, HRA's indulgent Slot Race THE EUREKA! are certainly coming out with evermore fabulous claims each and every day. [We are of course using 'fabulous' in its original sense - namely: celebrated in fable / rich in myths.] So much so, one really has to wonder whether they can hear themselves? CAN THEY HEAR THEMSELVES ...? 25th May 2022 The promoters of, and apologists for, HRA's indulgent Slot Race THE EUREKA! are certainly coming out with evermore fabulous claims each and every day. [We are of course using 'fabulous' in its original sense - namely: celebrated in fable / rich in myths.] So much so, one really has to wonder whether they can hear themselves? ... more
  • This is a question that certainly needs answering ... as they're sure as hell are not sitting on the Executive of Harness Racing Australia! Back in the early 1960s, when Australian Harness Racing was just beginning to 'experiment' with mobile barrier race starts and mile racing, a gentleman by the name of Len Smith was Chairman of Stewards, and Chief Handic... WHERE ARE OUR VISIONARIES ...? 17th May 2022 This is a question that certainly needs answering ... as they're sure as hell are not sitting on the Executive of Harness Racing Australia! Back in the early 1960s, when Australian Harness Racing was just beginning to 'experiment' with mobile barrier race starts and mile racing, a gentleman by the name of Len Smith was Chairman of Stewards, and Chief Handic... ... more
  • Like so many governing bodies, HRA seems to think that just by shaking the tree money will fall into their lap (that's why they all love taxation so much). And once HRA got it into their head that a TAX on Stallion Services was The Eureka! COUNTING THE COST 11th May 2022 Like so many governing bodies, HRA seems to think that just by shaking the tree money will fall into their lap (that's why they all love taxation so much). And once HRA got it into their head that a TAX on Stallion Services was "a good idea" there was simply no stopping them - completely ignoring the fact that this particular 'tree' was already almost bare. ... ... more
  • There is certainly a delicious irony in HRA having chosen EUREKA as the name of their indulgent Slot Race! History tells us that back in 1854 miners in the Victorian Gold Fields of Ballarat entered into a prolonged period of 'civil disobedience' brought on by the Colonial Authority levying Miners' Licences; and today, Harness Breeders, not only in Victoria ... EUREKA! - Part 2 26th April 2022 There is certainly a delicious irony in HRA having chosen EUREKA as the name of their indulgent Slot Race! History tells us that back in 1854 miners in the Victorian Gold Fields of Ballarat entered into a prolonged period of 'civil disobedience' brought on by the Colonial Authority levying Miners' Licences; and today, Harness Breeders, not only in Victoria ... ... more