Breeding news

It was yet another big day for Queensland.

A race-to-race double for Lyndhurst Stud, Clear Mountain Fairview Stud with connections to three winners and Toowoomba trainer, Michael Nolan taking home the cash in two big races with his Queensland-bred runners.

Stormy weather rolled in and in just twenty minutes the Eagle Farm track was down-graded to a Slow 7. Nolan considered scratching, Sister Magic (pictured – Dan Costello Racing) from her first start but thankfully decided not to.

The Hidden Dragon filly, who was broken in and pre-trained at Clear Mountain Fairview Stud and is the full sister to Weetwood winner Miss Imagica, sat up outside the leader in the QTIS 2yo Handicap (1000m) before surging to the front on straightening.

Despite being very green, jockey Brooke Richardson managed to steer Sister Magic pocketing $56,000 for connections thanks to the handy QTIS bonus.

Lyndhurst Stud continued their winning day in the very next race when Golden Trinkets saluted in the Duporth Tavern Fillies and Mares Handicap (1000m) for another Toowoomba trainer, Kevin Kemp.

The 4yo Sequalo mare began only fairly and was in last place coming to the corner, when apprentice, Tegan Harrison took all the inside running and won eased up on the line.

Clear Mountain Fairview sire, Tycoon Ruler scored a Listed winner, when Jet Style took out the prestigious Brisbane Handicap.

Also from Toowoomba, Donald ‘Ducky’ Baker’s stables, the 6yo gelding had a perfect run just behind them, needed luck in the straight and got it when the split came to continue his outstanding form.

Rounding out the impressive form of Queenslanders in Brisbane was Zamboni.

Chris Munce steered the 5yo Bradbury’s Luck mare to victory in the Class 6 Handicap (1300m).

Zamboni and Purettan made their runs together and battled it right to the line in a photo finish.

The luck was with the Peter Hulbert trained Zamboni to get the judge’s nod.

Queensland’s brilliant run continued at Roma’s biggest day of the year.

The graduation of the 2012 Warwick TAFE Horse Breeding Course was held on the 7th of November (pictured). The course again has been a great success with all participants gaining work in the industry.

The students gained skills in handling and care of horses, hoof care, nutrition, mare mating procedures, preparing mares for foaling, foaling down, foal care and preparing yearlings for sale, just to name a few.

The last month of the course was quite a whirlwind for all, including a road trip to the Hunter Valley to visit notable studs Coolmore, Darley, Widden, Kitchwin Hills and also the Scone Equine Hospital.

The students also had the opportunity to showcase their skills and knowledge they have gained in the course at the Horses in Training sale at the Gold Cost Magic Millions complex from the 30th October to the 2nd of November.

On the first day the students worked alongside the Patinack Farms’ staff leading Broodmares and foals through the ring, as well as helping with preparing the horse for the sales ring.

On days 2-4 the students played an important role in working in the scoping barn, the students did a fantastic job over all 4 days and Magic Millions have asked some of the students to come back and work at the January sales.

A huge thank you goes out again to the TBQA for their continued support of this course with special mention to Lyndhurst Stud, Raheen Stud and Wattle Brae Stud, without the assistance of these studs the course would not be as successful as it has been.

The TBQA again sponsored the Horse Breeding Student of year. This year the perpetual trophy went to Jocelyn Finn. Jocelyn was a very worthy winner and after a stint preparing yearlings for the January sales is looking at going into Veterinary Science.

Also, thanks must go to Magic Millions for allowing the students to be a part of their ongoing sales, this experience is second-to-none for all of the students.

Warwick TAFE is looking forward to offering, for the first time, an Equine Studies course in 2013. This course will encompass three qualifications Certificate II in Agriculture, Certificate II in Stable Hand and the Certificate III in Horse Breeding.

Students will study the full time course over a year. Warwick TAFE will again work very closely with industry to ensure students gain real industry skills and on completion of the course are work ready.

For further information on the courses offered at the Warwick TAFE college, contact Kellie Monckton on 46604649.

Your help is needed to make a Hendra Virus reserach project a success.

The HHALTER research project (Horse owners and Hendra Virus: A Longitudinal cohort study To Evaluate Risk) is funded through the National Hendra Virus Research Program.

It is focused on people involved with horses with the aim of ensuring that they are at the centre of Hendra virus-related policy and research.

The first survey is now available. A link to this survey is included below:

Paper copy questionnaires are also available is you prefer to respond using this method. You can leave you mailing details on phone line 02 9685 9591.

Researchers would like to encourage people from ALL States and Territories (not only those in high Hendra virus risk areas) to take part in the project.

The survey is based largely on the feedback received through a stakeholder consultation process. Through this process horse associations, Government agencies, and health and wildlife groups identified priority areas that should be addressed directly to people involved with horses in relation to Hendra virus risk.

Your support is critical to the success of this project and enables researchers to engage a wide range of people involved with horses in the HHALTER project.

Racing Queensland Limited has released its 2012 annual report.

A copy of the RQL annual report can be found on the RQL website, under About/ Annual Report 2012: http://www.racingqueensland.com.au/about/annual-report.aspx

The report was released last week, prior to the RQL AGM, which was held on Friday November 16.