Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association

As far as Queensland cult heroes go, they don’t come much bigger than Master Jamie.  The former galloper claimed 19 victories from a 64-start career, with notable wins coming in back-to-back Rockhampton Cups in 2022 and 2023, and in the 2020 The Gateway at Eagle Farm to book a spot into the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap. The gelding was also the first horse from the Beef City to go past the magical $1 million prizemoney mark. Trained by Graeme Green, he formed a formidable partnership with jockey Les “Bubba” Tilley who took the thoroughbred into his care in Toowoomba when he was retired in 2024. An excitement machine on the track, these days Master Jamie is a calming influence in retirement at the Glastonbury property of Queensland Off-The-Track Acknowledged Retrainer Sandi Sevior. The retrainer explained how a connection with Graeme’s daughter Sileas – known affectionately as Mully - led to the former champion racehorse landing with her in the Gympie Region. “I've had some really good outcomes for Mully Green, and she put me in touch with Bubba who had Master Jamie with him,” Sevior said. “He was obviously very special and instrumental in his career, and Bubba was just finding himself time poor, and wanted to ensure that Jamie wasn't sitting in the paddock and wasting his prime years, so he reached out to me to see if I could give him a job. “And he certainly found a job - he's got a really good job babysitting and educating the young horses coming through the QOTT retraining program. “We call him ‘Uncle Jamie,’ and we take him down the road with us when other horses have their first outings or showing them the arena for the first time - he’s just got the calming presence of an experienced horse. “I call him the VIP of the farm - whenever someone hears his name that's involved with racing, especially up in North Queensland, they're always really keen to see what he's doing and how he is.” The now nine-year-old has impressed Sevior since coming under her care in November last year. The horsewoman said Master Jamie’s calm demeanour had him primed for a new life after racing in the showjumping and dressage arenas. “He's a bit of an old legend…a lot of people get really hung up on and love these off-the-trackers that have had one or two starts, and they're great, but I love the older horses that are coming off the track and been everywhere,” Sevior said. “He's just a professional, and anything you do, if you ask him a question, he answers with, ‘let me figure it out.’ “He's just a bit of a calming force, and he's got a bit of a talent there for jumping and a little bit of dressage as well. “So, we'll make sure he has his opportunity to go out in the competition truck and show him off a little bit as well. “It's been really lovely being able to ensure that he's got a good job to do and has been given a solid education.” Running the thoroughbred spelling business Flynn Equine Solutions, Sevior usually has around 20 to 30 horses across almost 30 paddocks at the Glastonbury property. The 39-year-old was always destined to go into retraining, with grandfather Ray McCall a former trainer and her aunt Nat McCall currently in the training ranks, based on the Sunshine Coast. “I grew up in racing and always had a strong affiliation, especially with the horses that we'd bred, I was really interested in giving them quality homes off the track,” Sevior said. “I used to take a lot of off-the-track horses for Pop and retrain them, compete on them, and then find them homes. “I took the detour and went up to the Northern Territory and was in the Mounted Police for quite some time. “And when I came home to run the spelling farm, I'd seen the advances in the Queensland Off-The-Track Program, and I was really keen to find my place in that program and continue on in a larger scale than what I'd previously done.” Les Tilley celebrates winning the 2023 Rockhampton Cup on Master Jamie (Photo: Caught in the Act Photography CQ) While Master Jamie is not being retrained and rehomed through the QOTT Program, two other retired gallopers in Sevior’s care are thriving as part of the program. Each recording only a handful of starts on the track, the former Kevin Kemp galloper Mrs Kajudo and Zoublime, formerly trained by Taylah Mackinnon, are adjusting well to their post-racing lives. “After dealing with Mrs Kajudo, she's probably one of the most laid-back characters that you'll ever come across - I think Kevin needs a medal for even getting her to the races in the first place,” Sevior said with a laugh. “But I really rate her, she's a really nice animal, she's got a beautiful disposition, and she's going really well. “She's had about 12 rides under saddle, and we are really working on balancing her and getting a good, solid flat base. “Zoublime came to me as a weanling for spelling and is now in the QOTT Program. “I've had her in the paddock for a few years now…she’s a really big, tall, leggy mare, and needed just a little bit more time to mature, so she's commenced groundwork, and she'll have her first ride under saddle off the track soon. “I’m in a really privileged position to be able to know these horses really well and continue to support their careers after their racing careers finish.” Sevior has rehomed 12 horses since joining the QOTT Program in 2023. She is excited to welcome more retired gallopers in the future, thanks to the support offered to her as a QOTT Acknowledged Retrainer. “Without the support from Queensland Off-The-Track, I would not be able to have the horse numbers in retraining that I do… I think it's been instrumental with improving the quality and quantity of homes available,” Sevior said.' “It's something that a lot of us have always done out of the love and passion for the horse but on a really small scale, but it's enabled us to upscale and the quality of outcomes for the horses that graduate from the program is invaluable. “The program has allowed such a great base for these thoroughbreds, where they tick off all those first outings, and have their dentals, their shoes, and their vaccinations up to date. “We do thorough assessments on these horses, so we know their strengths, we know their weaknesses, and we're able to place them in suitable homes that are hopefully long term and set them up for a life after racing. “So, if you're thinking about it, definitely get in touch with QOTT. It's a really great program to be a part of.” Click here for more information on the QOTT Acknowledged Retrainers Program.

The sudden loss of Spirit Of Boom last week is a heartbreaking blow for the Queensland and Australian breeding industry. On behalf of TBQA, I extend our sincere condolences to the McAlpine Family, Eureka Stud staff and to everyone who had the privilege of a connection with such a remarkable horse. Quite simply, Spirit Of Boom was one of Queensland’s greatest stallions. The sire of 32 stakes winners, led by Group 1 winner Jonker, he played a major role in elevating Queensland breeding onto the national stage and gave local breeders enormous confidence in the strength of our stallion ranks. What made his story even more special was that he was truly a Queensland success story from beginning to end. Bred, raised and raced in Queensland before retiring to stud at Eureka, he became a horse that the entire industry took enormous pride in. From the moment his first runners hit the track, it was obvious he was something out of the ordinary. He was crowned Australia’s Champion First Season Sire and went on to become Queensland’s leading sire on four occasions, while continuing to produce tough, fast and consistent racehorses year after year. Beyond the statistics, those closest to him speak most fondly about his character and presence. He was adored by the staff who handled him daily and became the cornerstone of the Eureka Stud operation. His passing leaves a tremendous void, both professionally and personally, for all involved.  There is some comfort, however, in knowing his legacy will continue. It was recently announced that his Group 1-winning son Jonker will stand at Eureka Stud this season, ensuring the Spirit Of Boom influence remains an important part of Queensland breeding into the future. We wish the McAlpine’s all the best with the new prospect and hope he delivers like his sire.

Have you moved in the past 12 months? To ensure you receive your complimentary copy of the 2026 Queensland Stallions Directory, please take a moment to update your contact details before April 25. Additional copies of the Directory are available on request, with a $20 postage fee applying. Bookings for this highly sought after Directory close on April 17 2026. If you have a stallion or business or service, you don't want to miss this great value publication that showcases your product to over 10,000 people Australia-wide involved in breeding and racing. There is no other opportunity like it! More details here

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia is working with AgriFutures Australia and Brand Rebellion to develop a workforce strategy for the Australian thoroughbred breeding industry. As part of this work, an industry-wide survey has been launched for both employees and employers to better understand current workforce challenges and opportunities across the sector. The survey is designed to capture insights on workforce experiences, attraction and retention challenges, career pathways, and how the industry is perceived both within the sector and more broadly. The findings will help inform a workforce strategy aimed at supporting the long-term sustainability, capability and growth of the industry. They will also provide an important evidence base to support TBA’s advocacy to government and other decision-makers on the workforce issues affecting our sector. All responses will remain confidential and deidentified. We encourage all members to take part in the survey and to share it with colleagues across their networks. This is an important opportunity to help shape the future of the thoroughbred breeding industry. You may choose to enter a draw to win a $250 EFTPOS voucher by providing your first name and contact details. These details will be used only to contact the winner and for no other purpose. If you do not choose to enter the draw, your responses will remain fully deidentified. The link to the survey can be found here

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has welcomed Racing Australia’s decision to introduce an amnesty on outstanding Foal Ownership Declarations (FODs) from the 2024 and 2025 foal crops. The amnesty will provide breeders with an additional two-week window to resolve outstanding declarations and ensure affected horses remain eligible to race, by 5.30pm AEST on Tuesday 14 April 2026. The amnesty will apply to all late Foal Ownership Declarations for foals born in the 2024 and 2025 seasons, including those subject to ongoing appeals, as well as those who have not yet appealed or whose appeals have been unsuccessful. Provided the Foal Ownership Declaration is submitted by the deadline of 5.30pm AEST on Tuesday 14 April 2026, these horses will not be subject to an embargo from racing. TBA Chief Executive Officer Andrew Hore-Lacy said the decision is a constructive move that recognises the challenges experienced by breeders across the industry. “This is a positive step from Racing Australia and we welcome the sensible decision to resolve these cases,” Mr Hore-Lacy said. “Over recent months, both Racing Australia and breeders have gained a much clearer understanding of where the pressure points are within the current system. “What has become evident is that the vast majority of cases were not deliberate breaches, but administrative errors or miscommunications about who would lodge the Foal Ownership Declaration.” Mr Hore-Lacy said the decision would provide significant relief for breeders, many of whom had been facing uncertainty about the future of their horses. “For breeders, these horses represent years of planning, investment and care,” he said. “The reassurance in knowing that those impacted horses can now move forward and have a future on the track will be felt right across the industry.” TBA is urging all breeders to take immediate action to ensure any outstanding Foal Ownership Declarations are submitted by 5.30pm AEST on Tuesday 14 April 2026. “Our focus now is on making sure every outstanding Foal Ownership Declaration is completed within this window,” Mr Hore-Lacy said. “We strongly encourage all breeders to review their records and act promptly.” Mr Hore-Lacy said TBA would continue to work closely with Racing Australia on longer-term improvements to the technological platform ahead of this year's breeding season. “We remain committed to working with Racing Australia on practical improvements that support compliance, while ensuring the system is fair and workable for breeders.”