The NSW racing industry and TAB Ltd combine to generate an economic benefit in excess of $4.2 billion for the state of New South Wales. It’s not chicken feed, it’s serious money and the driving force behind it is the continued participation of racehorse owners.

Without a widespread base of enthusiastic owners this lucrative little house of cards would come crashing down.

Trainers can’t train horses when their bills aren’t being paid. They certainly can’t purchase yearlings without any owners to race them. So why would studs waste time and money breeding horses that can’t be sold.

If this scenario is true and I believe it is, why are owners being treated so poorly and in so many different ways?

The Sydney Turf Club has recently introduced a new barrier to restrict access to horses in the mounting yard as well as new rules to keep owners out of the race-day stalls area. These moves were supposedly undertaken to improve safety, yet no-one seems able to recall a serious accident involving an owner at the races.

The new measures just distance an owner from his horse and significantly decrease the level of enjoyment and excitement to which an owner is rightfully entitled.

By taking the decision to purchase a share in a horse and become an owner, there is an expectation that on race-day you will be a part of something special and will enjoy certain privileges particular to the status of being an owner.

These new measures invoked by the STC are encroaching on those privileges and can only serve to encourage owners to revert to being just racegoers, at a time when we should be endeavouring to turn racegoers into owners.

Another niggling annoyance is the additional fees charged by transport companies and vets to issue multiple copies of invoices to the various owners of a particular horse.

Given the popularity of syndications it is not uncommon for the same bill to be sent to six or more individuals and some businesses are charging as much as $6 per additional copy. Now I know a stamp, envelope and a quick flash under a photocopier do not cost $6, so what is going on here?

And then there is the ongoing issue of the television rights for Sydney racing.

God forbid you can’t make it to the races to see your prized charge go around, because you won’t be able to watch it at home on TV, thanks to a bitter wrangle between the race clubs and TAB Ltd who plainly have zero interest in the welfare of owners.

Inglis Select Weanling Purchases 19 May 2004

The market for quality commercial weanlings was exceptionally strong at this sale (clearance of 83%) and buyers were quick to pounce on the nice types with some pedigree. More including purchases on the Sales page.

Inglis Australian Select Broodmare Sale Purchases 27 April 2004

Following hot on the heels of a record breaking Easter, the better class mares at the Inglis Select Broodmare Sale were always going to be the subject of keen competition. More on Sales page.

Mimzical Finds Winning Form at Randwick 27 April 2004

Our little star Mimzical (2002 Classic $12,500) bounced back from an indifferent run on Easter Monday, producing her trademark finishing burst to claim her first win over the older mares at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Ridden to perfection by Hugh Bowman, Mimzical settled to the rear of the field from her wide barrier draw, before zooming down the outside in an impressive performance.

Mimzical continues to amaze us, she thrives on racing and when she strikes conditions to suit you just know she will pull out all stops. With six wins and nearly $200,000 in prizemoney to her credit, Mimzical has proven to be a sound investment for her lucky group of owners.

The last hurdle now for Mimzical is to gain some Black Type performance to enhance her value as a broodmare prospect, a task which will keep our trainer Gary Portelli working overtime during the next few months as he seeks to place “the Mimz” to her best advantage.

Inglis Easter Purchases 22 April 2004

The 2004 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale was a resounding success both for the Inglis company and for the Australasian breeding industry in general. The sale represented a real “coming of age” for our industry, with the deeds of horses like Choisir and Silent Witness attracting large numbers of international buyers with a genuine admiration and respect for our product. More including list of purchases on the Sales page.