We are on the cusp of a golden era for domestically bred stallions according to leading training and breeding figures, who joined SEN Track's Trots Life today as part of Breeders Week.

Trainer, prominent owner and buyer Clayton Tonkin said Australia had always had "good import stallions with good records and fast times", but perceptions had changed as Australian exports, like Shartin, had proven they could match it internationally.

"You see horses like Ride High and Poster Boy with really good records, they've raced the best horses and run really good times," Tonkin said.

He told Trots Life host Jason Bonnington there was nothing to say they couldn't have performed "in the States and then come back out here and really they would be a lot more sought after as imported stallions".

"Their records speak for themselves," he said. "I think we are on the cusp of seeing some of these horses turn into good stallions, because we need it."

The domestic market has been fuelled by Victoria's Vicbred Pure scheme, which gifts a rich $12,000 bonus to foals out of Victorian mares by Australasian-bred stallions who stand in Victoria.

LISTEN TO CLAYTON TONKIN ON SENTRACK:

According to Mark Barton of Nutrien Livestock and Equine "we've seen a changing of the guard" from Art Major and Bettors Delight, who had "really dominated breeding in Australia".

"We are looking at a catalogue of horses over the four sales this year that probably nearly 40 per cent of those will be colonial sires," he told SEN Track.

Barton said breeders could be confident domestic-bred foals would reach the sale floor. 

"That next superstar is probably going to come from one of these lesser-known horses," he said.

"We still need the international horses to give us that flavour, but I think our involvement is not telling them what horse to breed too, but knowing they have the confidence to try something (and) that there is a market there for it. As I said, getting up towards 40 per cent this year will be domestically bred stallions and that's exciting for the Australian market."

LISTEN TO MARK BARTON ON SEN TRACK:

 

LISTEN TO KAREN BRECKON ON SEN TRACK:

 

LISTEN TO GREG GANGLE ON SEN TRACK:

Breeders Week continues tomorrow. Click here to listen live from 11am-1pm