KEY racing industry bodies – Racing Queensland and the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association – have welcomed an election commitment from the Liberal National Party to fund country racing in Queensland and to boost prize money and incentives for breeders.
The wide ranging LNP racing policy includes a new racing governance model, a $24 million boost to prizemoney and a $72.9 million country racing funding guarantee over the next four years which matches a $70 million ALP pledge supporting country racing..
Congratulating the LNP for developing a racing policy that will strengthen the breeding and racing industry, TBQA President, Basil Nolan said the policy was a positive move forward for the struggling Queensland industry and would provide an injection of confidence for stakeholders.
"The LNP has consulted with industry representatives over the past few months and it is that grassroots input that has helped to develop this policy," Mr Nolan said.
Racing Queensland CEO, Dr Eliot Forbes said the funding commitments are positive.
“We have seen statements that commit to $72.9 million over four years for country racing and a boost of $24 million for prize money and incentives for breeders, inclusive of a $16.5 million package for country racing, referred to as additional funding.
“We have sought more details on the nature and timing of the funding and how the packages relate to each other. What we can say is that any additional money for racing provides an advantage that will flow through to all participants and stakeholders.
“Racing Queensland is pleased that all political parties have recognised racing’s important economic and social contributions to the state. The industry generates $1.2 billion of economic value in Queensland with around 42,000 individuals employed or engaged within the industry.”
“Racing Queensland delivered a $20 million turnaround during the last financial year and already boosted prize money by $3.2 million this year. We have developed and implemented a Strategic Plan focused on commercial growth while launching our infrastructure program, with $19 million in projects already underway,” he said.
Dr Forbes noted the LNP’s policy position to change the governance structure of the racing industry, providing for each code to have operational control and more industry participation.
“If the LNP wins Government their policy suggests a nine month period for consultation and development of a new governance model of individual code bodies for thoroughbred, greyhound and harness racing. My focus, and that of my team, will continue to be on increasing confidence and participation in racing in Queensland and driving our commercial relationships to deliver increased returns to all racing participants,” Dr Forbes said.
MM yearling sale now online
MAGIC Millions’ star studded catalogue for the 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale is now online.
Thanking breeders and vendors for their continued and incredible support, Magic Millions Managing Director Vin Cox said “With the outstanding quality of this catalogue we will be able to attract a market that will repay their confidence in Magic Millions."
"The 2018 catalogue has great depth and it is sure to unearth many future racetrack stars such as recent Gold Coast Yearling Sale graduates Redzel, Ace High and the legendary mare Winx.
Released online last week, the signature yearling sale comprises progeny of 103 individual sires across 853 lots catalogued in Book 1 and 209 lots in Book 2.
The 2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale catalogue can be viewed online at www.magicmillions.com.au or by downloading it on iPad via the Equineline Sales Catalog App. Printed copies of the catalogue will be available for distribution from November 22.
2018 Gold Coast Yearling Sale Schedule
Wednesday, January 10: Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 1 (Day 1: Lots 1-252)
Thursday January 11: Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 1 (Day 2: Lots 253 to 504)
Friday January 12: Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 1 (Day 3: Lots 505 to 756)
Saturday January 13: Magic Millions Raceday, Gold Coast Turf Club and Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 1 (Day 4: Lots 757 to 853)
Sunday January 14: Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 2 (Day 5: Lots 854 to 1062)
Tuesday January 16: Gold Coast Yearling Sale – Book 3 (Day 6) – catalogue available December
Captain Sonador sires Group 2 winner
DECEASED Group 1 Epsom Handicap winning stallion Captain Sonador (Shamardal/Pushing Daisies) added a Group race success at Sha Tin racecourse in Hong Kong on Sunday, November 19, when 5YO Australian-bred gelding Seasons Bloom (Captain Sonador/Pyramisa’s Lass) won the Group 2 Jockey Club Mile (1600m).
Based at the Nolan family’s Raheen Stud, Gladfield, for just three seasons, Captain Sonador is also the sire of Brisbane listed winning filly Tiyatrolani.
Bought for $26,000 by Ampulla Lodge at the 2013 Magic Millions National Weanling Sale, Seasons Bloom originally raced in Victoria under the name La Capitaine where he started twice for a win at Pakenham before being exported to Hong Kong in June last year.
His record now stands at six wins and three placings (including the Group 3 HKJC Celebration Cup, Listed Hong Kong Classic Cup and Listed Hong Kong Classic Mile) from 14 starts. His younger 4YO brother Ambitious Heart is also based in Hong Kong where he’s had one win and six placings from 17 starts.
Kilcoy Christmas bonanza
ALL roads will lead to Kilcoy Race Club on Saturday, December 2 with a mixed program of gallop and harness racing.
Feature event on the gallops program is the annual Carlton Mid Cannonball Series Final (800m) supported by Tattersalls Racing Club Kilcoy Christmas Cup (1900m), the Butler McDermott Lawyers Christmas Gift (1200m) and the Ian and Di McCauley Cup (BM58) (1060m). There will also be three Grass Trotting races from mobile starts over the 1820 m distance – all sponsored by Kilcoy Pastoral Company – plus three exciting Mini Trotting races which will feature ponies and juvenile drivers.
The gallop races and the Grass trotting races will be covered by SKY TV all over Australia and puts Kilcoy as one of the ever-growing popular country race courses with increasing turnover both on and off course. A strong ring of bookmakers and UBET will be operating on the gallop and Grass Trotting races on the day.
Bookings are now been taken for the Trackside Pavilion package available from midday to 4pm which entitles the patrons to admission, reserved sitting and table, lunch, drinks and a race book. Cost is $120 per person. For bookings contact Murray Chapple on 0400167239 or Jenny Searle on 0417607969.
Melbourne Cup siblings highlight Goffs November sale
A HALF-SISTER to Melbourne Cup winner Rekindling is set to be one of the highlight offerings at this week’s Goffs November Breeding Stock Sale being held on November 23 and 24 in Ireland.
Breeding and Racing webnews reports that Bitooh (Diktat/Sitara) headlines a number of fascinating lots that should appeal to the Australian market.
Also among the 554 fillies and mares set to go under the hammer is Inca Princess, dam of Melbourne Cup runner-up Johannes Vermeer and carrying his full sibling by Galileo. One of four mares due to be sold as part of the Ballymacoll Stud dispersal is Desert Bloom – dam of yet another Melbourne Cup winner in Fiorente – while Macrame is a half-sister to 2002 Melbourne Cup winner Media Puzzle and currently in foal to Kingman.
Others sure to spark Australian interest include Group 1 winning Redoute’s Choice mare Melito in foal to Galileo, along with Group 2 Eight Carat Classic and Group 2 Sir Tristram Fillies Classic winner Fix, who is also in foal to Galileo.