Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has made $115,500 in breeding bonus certificates available for Victorian breeders and owners during May and June.
Every fillies and mares’ race worth more than $5000 (77 races programmed) in Victoria during May and June will carry breeding certificates worth $1000 to breeder(s) and $500 to owner(s) of the winning horse.
These certificates can be redeemed for a service to any stallion for a Victorian based broodmare.
“The certificates are part of a broader strategy to instil significantly more confidence in Victoria’s breeding industry,” Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) General Manager – Racing Stephen Bell said.
“Today’s announcement will provide stimulus for local breeders and owners to reinvest next season.
“As an industry it’s imperative we do what we can to reverse the worldwide season-to-season decline in foal numbers. For this to occur we need to think laterally, strategically and genuinely understand the problems our breeders face day to day.”
HBV President Terry Lewis welcomed today’s news and expressed confidence that increased collaboration between his organisation and HRV was resulting in positive progress.
“The breeding certificates will be the difference between some Victorian mares being served or not. Our breeders have a finite breeding budget each year, so often they will make the decision to have only some mares served. I'm confident this initiative will make a genuine difference and result in additional mares being bred,” Mr Lewis said.
“The collaboration between HBV and HRV has significantly improved in the last 12 months or so and we are working on a number of new breeding stimulus initiatives and I'm certain we'll have more good news for breeders in the not-too-distant future.”
Photos: Nikkita Ross