Alpine Addition Gives Clear Mountain Fairview an Edge

Arriving ahead of schedule, the 2024 Queensland Stallions Directory is here. Most of our members should have received your complimentary copy in the post already, if it hasn't yet arrived please try to be patient, it should be delivered in the next fortnight - we can't control Australia Post! For new members, or those who didn't update their postal address, copies are available at various distribution centres, see here or you can contact the TBQA office on 0412 026 540 to organise a copy to be posted to you for a $15 mailing charge. Or you can view our online directory here . We are excited to announce four new freshman sires to the Queensland stallion ranks this coming season: Officiating will be standing at Aquis, Hopetoun Farm is offering the exciting Empire of Japan and there are two very promising freshman sires in Alpine Edge (Clear Mountain Fairview Stud) and Don Corleone (Eureka Stud). Don Corleone is a son of sire sensation, Extreme Choice (Not A Single Doubt), Eureka Stud are pleased to be able to bring this most elite of sire lines to Queensland. Performing in every major Australian 2YO Group 1 sprinting contest, Don Corleone was unfortunate not to win the Blue Diamond when being eleventh at the 200m mark after being held up in running to flash home for second place. He posted a second also in the ATC Sires Produce behind 3 x G1 winner Militarize and beating subsequent G1 winners Cylinder and Veight. With a strong fourth in the ultimate 2YO contest, The Golden Slipper, behind Shinzo, Cylinder and Kings Gambit. Don Corleone was retired after sustaining a foot injury in his last campaign with earnings of $971,450. A genuine talent with X-factor and the looks, Don Corleone is a boon for Queensland breeders. An exciting prospect for Clear Mountain Fairview Stud, Alpine Edge was an exceptional 2YO, winning his first two starts at Group and Listed level, including the Gr.3 B.J. McLachlan Stakes. He was an unlucky second in the Magic Millions 2YO after missing the start by three lengths but cruised to a Magic Million QTIS triumph as a 4YO, earning more than $1.8 million during his career. Alpine Edge offers a unique combination of the famous La Troienne dynasty that has produced early 2YOs and champions for nearly a century around the world. His sire Better Than Ready is loaded with black type descendants, and his dam Freezethemillions was a talented 2YO with plenty of winning progeny. We can’t wait to see what this stallion will produce. Officiating is the result of a global search to secure a stallion perfectly suited to the broodmare population of Queensland by Aquis. The handsome triple Gr.3 winner boasts a deep and rich pedigree including being a half-brother to USA Champion 2YO filly Caledonian Road. Officiating is a complete outcross to Danehill. He is a son of the Eclipse Champion Racehorse and elite sire Blame, sire of six individual Gr.1 winners and over 14% stakes horses to runners. BLAME is proving to be an elite broodmare sire, also running at over 14% stakes horses to runners including Gr.1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Forte and this seasons Gr.2 Todman Stakes winner Switzerland. A stallion carefully selected for Queensland breeders and our fast but Danehill line heavy broodmares with a specific focus on breeders with mares by Spirit of Boom, Better Than Ready and Spill the Beans. Hopetoun Farm is excited to offer Empire of Japan to breeders. This stallion destroyed the field in the stallion-making ATC Breeders Plate (Gr.3), winning dominantly by three lengths in his first race, with past winners including Capitlist, Pierro, Sebring, Snitzel, Choisir and Luskin Star. By the Champion Sire Snitzel from the Gr.2 winning General Nediym and mare Ichihara. An amazing type, a $680K Magic Millions Book 1 graduate, selected by one of the best judges in Australia, Henry Field. Empire of Japan is a precocious juvenile himself with an outstanding juvenile pedigree. Telemon Stud sire, Sun City graces the front cover and we are always grateful to Barry Bowditch and Magic Millions for the continual support through their Naming Rights of the Directory. A huge thank you to Lisa Frappell who always does a tremendous job coordinating this publication every year, and to Mr Peter Howard whose knowledge and expertise in the industry is second-to-none, he provides a valuable eye for proofing. We would also like to mention Erilyn Wedd and the team at TMPC, who produce and publish the magazine with such professionalism. Thank you also to all the studs and businesses who support the publication and promote their stallions and businesses. We greatly appreciate your support, and we know you will find the 2024 Magic Millions Queensland Stallions Directory worthwhile. Every year we receive numerous compliments and comments about this being the “best stallion book in the country!” and we couldn’t agree more.

The latest tallies are in for the 2024 Magic Million QTIS Premiership and there's some new faces in the monthly results. Click on the following links for the latest results Top QTIS Trainers Leading 2YO QTIS runners Best Performing QTIS 3YOs

The sixth intake of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) national traineeship program, Fast Track, has graduated with a gala ceremony in Scone. Fourteen students received their Certificate III in Horse Breeding after completing the 12-month program, with the trainees carrying out placements on farms across New South Wales, Victoria and for the first time, Tasmania. More than 80 people attended the graduation event at Scone Race Club on Tuesday night. All the students in this year's class are set to remain in the thoroughbred industry after graduation. “We are very proud of the trainees who have all worked really hard to complete their studies and successfully carry out their work commitments on farm,” said Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager. “This program has created a pathway for anyone, no matter their horse experience or whether they’ve been exposed to the thoroughbred industry, to learn about breeding and get a job on a respected farm.” Over 90% of graduates from the program remain in the thoroughbred industry for at least 12 months. Also attending the ceremony were the 20 trainees who make up the 2024 Fast Track intake, the largest class in the program’s history. TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said: “The graduation was a great night with so many people from the industry coming to celebrate with our trainees and their families. Fast Track has proved to be an incredibly valuable pathway for young people to get a start in our industry.” The sixth intake of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s (TBA) national traineeship program, Fast Track, has graduated with a gala ceremony in Scone. Fourteen students received their Certificate III in Horse Breeding after completing the 12-month program, with the trainees carrying out placements on farms across New South Wales, Victoria and for the first time, Tasmania. More than 80 people attended the graduation event at Scone Race Club on Tuesday night. All the students in this year's class are set to remain in the thoroughbred industry after graduation. “We are very proud of the trainees who have all worked really hard to complete their studies and successfully carry out their work commitments on farm,” said Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager. “This program has created a pathway for anyone, no matter their horse experience or whether they’ve been exposed to the thoroughbred industry, to learn about breeding and get a job on a respected farm.” Over 90% of graduates from the program remain in the thoroughbred industry for at least 12 months. Also attending the ceremony were the 20 trainees who make up the 2024 Fast Track intake, the largest class in the program’s history. TBA chief executive Tom Reilly said: “The graduation was a great night with so many people from the industry coming to celebrate with our trainees and their families. Fast Track has proved to be an incredibly valuable pathway for young people to get a start in our industry.” ENDS For more information call Madison Tims on: 0405 535 436 Graduating Class of 2023: Tiffany Allison – Kitchwin Hills Stud/Alma Vale (NSW) Emma Broadhurst – Motree Thoroughbreds (TAS) Zac Broadway – Yulong Stud (VIC) Maddison Edward – Cressfield Farm (NSW) Brittany Eveleigh – Fernrigg Farm (NSW) Sophie Hayes – Godolphin (NSW) Amelia Kearney – Riversdale Farm (NSW) Demi Marshall – Armidale Stud (TAS) Lucy Mcdonald – Yarraman Park Stud (NSW) Kyle Mitchell - Kitchwin Hills Stud/Alma Vale (NSW) Ashley Podolski – Lime Country Thoroughbreds (NSW) Lilly Ryll– Vinery Stud (NSW) Hayden Timbrell – Widden Stud (NSW) Katelyn Wynn-Taylor – Bhima Thoroughbreds (NSW)

I recently had the privilege of representing Thoroughbred Breeders Australia at the International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation (ITBF) Conference in Japan from May 19-23. It was a two-day conference in Tokyo followed by a three-day tour of racecourses and studs. The ITBF has 27 member countries, and 70 delegates from 20 countries attended this conference, hosted by the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’ Association (JBBA) Day one was a veterinary seminar which was very enlightening as to how all the different countries have dealt with various diseases. America has been hit with a rotavirus infection in foals causing some deaths and they’re working on a vaccination for that. From what was outlined about their various challenges with disease and research, I don’t think they are anywhere near advanced as Australia. Japan is big on genomic testing of horses because they’re concerned someone may manipulate the structure of the genes. Genomics is the study of all the genes in a person or animal, and how they interact with each other and the environment. Genes are made of DNA. DNA is organized into chromosomes which are divided into genes. Genomics help us understand why some people or animals are more prone to certain diseases, traits or behaviour. It can also help diagnose and treat diseases based on genetic makeup. Japan is very advanced in genomic testing, and it was interesting to note that Australia is the only other country involved with this testing with research underway in Scone, NSW. I was quite surprised to discover that England and Ireland have very little money to spend on equine research and are lagging a long way behind other countries in this field. Australia, through AgriFutures and our research levy with the Federal Government, is thankfully able to fund numerous equine research programs. While this levy was initially controversial, I have no doubt that it is very important and very well spent on our projects here. We are making big inroads for developing vaccines and an understanding of a lot of diseases that affect Australian horses. I was very proud for other countries’ representatives to hear what we have achieved and our future plans. At the AGM, everyone had a say on what was happening in their part of the world. The Chairman, Kirsten Rausing is from England (she bred Zaaki), and has been Chairman for a number of years. She was reelected for the next term (two years) which will be her last. Following the conference we attended the Japanese Oaks in Tokyo. I was amazed at how enthusiastic and passionate the attendees were. There was 50,000 people. Betting is limited to their tote which is run by the Japanese Racing Association (JRA). The JRA get 15% of all wagering to run racing and 10% goes back to the breeders in prizemoney incentives. The prizemoney is very lucrative; for example, Darley has a stud there and 80% of their income comes from prizemoney. There are only 20 races open to foreign horses across the entire year, and the 2yo and 3yo races are restricted to Japanese horses. The JRA has 12 racecourses and runs two meetings per week, on a Saturday and Sunday. The National Association of Racing (NAR) manages the ‘second tier’ of racehorses and holds meetings every Monday to Friday on one of their 13 courses. It was not just a fantastic day of racing, but very interesting to learn how successfully they manage their industry. We then enjoyed three days of stud tours on the Island of Hokkaido visiting some of the most prestigious stud farms in the world. This incredible trip included Shadaii Stallion Station (home to the revered ‘Equinox’, Longines World’s Best Racehorse of 2023), Darley Japan Stallion Complex and Shizunai Stallion Station, as well as the Japanese Racing Association (JRA) Hidaka Training Farm and the Bloodhorse Training Centre. I was fascinated to learn that the JRA owns two training farms - Hidaka Training and Research Centre in Hokkaido and Miyazaki Yearling Training Farm in Kyushu Island. They conduct basic training on about 80 yearlings purchased at various sales until the spring of two years old. The information and training data obtained during this period are passed on broadly to breeders and training farms, and used to improve Japan's horse population. After the research in the basic training period, the horses are sold in the training sales such as the JRA Breeze Up Sale, and then follow-up research is conducted on how they perform as racehorses. The Centre also conducts research on various topics, such as breeding, nutrition, physical science, horseshoeing, clinical practice, etc., to develop the best suited management system and technology appropriate with Japan's weather and climate. On top of that, they have a fabulous training program to help young people get into the racing industry, be it breeding, training or as a jockey. We visited the Hidaka Centre, which was absolutely breathtaking and a massive operation, covering 1,500 hectares. I have never seen anything like it in the world. It has various tracks for training - including three indoor tracks, one is 1400m, that were built because winter temperatures drop to minus 25. We then went to Shadaii Stallion Station (home to the revered ‘Equinox’, Longines World’s Best Racehorse of 2023). They stand 31 stallions; we saw 8 of them. It was the start of the breeding season, so we were very privileged to be there at such a busy time and it was fascinating to see their setup. It was a magnificent place, and the highlight or me was seeing Equinox. It was interesting to visit Northern Farm. They have 802 horses in their breeding section and 400 in training. It is the main facility for sales, and it was fascinating to learn that the foal sales are considered the most popular and prestigious sale. They will sell about 300 foals in one sale, and they sell the best-bred foals at this time. The foals are more expensive than the yearlings! The Farm also holds a yearling and broodmare sale, but the foal sale is the most prestigious and important sale of the year. It was a fantastic trip, that I was very privileged and grateful to experience, and I have learnt a lot. I would highly recommend anyone in the industry to visit Japan and their amazing Breeding and racing facilities if you ever have the opportunity. - Basil Nolan, President TBA and TBQA

Enjoy afternoon tea at Clear Mountain Fairview while viewing the Group winning son of Better than Ready as he embarks on his career at stud. Love Conquers All, Sooboog and Worthy Cause will also be paraded. 1:00pm, Sunday 23 June 2024 at 122 Woodlands Rd, Greenmount. RSVP - admin@clearmountainstud.com.au or phone: 0402 490 501 More details here

Exciting young Group 3 winning sire Dracarys (Snitzel) will remain at $6,600 for 2024 making him an accessible and affordable option for Queensland breeders. A winner at two on debut, he won the Gr3 Up & Coming Stakes at his first three-year-old start, beating Trapeze Artist, Ace High and Gold Standard. Circumstances meant that Dracarys only served a handful of mares in his first season, and those foals are now three-year-olds with six winners already in the bag! David Hayes trained-STORM RIDER looks exciting with two wins in Hong Kong from only five starts. OBEROI PRINCESS after running second in her first four starts, went on to win two in succession. I’M PINKER was Dracarys’ first winner, winning on debut as a November two-year-old. DIRECT FIRE won on debut as a spring three-year-old and now has two wins on his record. Other three-year-old winners include HARCH ROAD and SAY WHEN SUTTY. Dracarys proved popular in his second season, serving 88 mares, and those foals are now two-year-olds. KAHLISEE was a city winner on debut for trainer Chris Munce as an October two-year-old, then she ran in the Listed Calaway Gal Stakes at her next start, showing the high opinion her connections have of her. EAGLE’S FIRE won his second start in March 2024. When measured against his peers, Dracarys is performing well with the most two-year-old winners from his second crop compared to other second season sires standing in the same fee bracket. He also has the second highest ratio of winners to runners, with 8 winners from 17 runners and a win/run ration of 47%, including two 2YO winners and prizemoney amounting to $855,714. This compares to the likes of Bondi who has 10(1) winners from 25 starters and a 10% W/r ratio, Jungle Cat with 40 runners, 14 winners, w/r ratio 35% and Prized Icon's w/r ratio of 30% with 13(2) winners from 44 runners - (Source : Second season sires standing between $10,000 and $5,000 in Australia as at 8 May 2024) At the sales, Dracarys continues to do well with respect to his service fee, and in 2024, the full sister to Kahlisee was purchased by Kahlisee’s trainer Chris Munce for $45,000. His yearlings in 2024 averaged $29,667. Breeders looking for a son of Champion Sire Snitzel with form on the board at a great value price need to consider Dracarys for 2024.

Queensland’s leading stallion operation, Aquis Stallions, has revealed its roster for the 2024 season. Aquis Stallions who have launched the careers of some of Australia’s most promising stallions PIERATA, BRAVE SMASH and ROYAL MEETING now announces its new stallion development opportunity in the three-time US Group winner, Officiating. A complete outcross, deliberately selected by Aquis Stallions following a global headhunting mission to secure a stallion that will excel with the local Queensland broodmare population, with a particular focus on mares by Spirit of Boom, Better Than Ready and Spill The Beans amongst the wider pool of Danehill heavy Queensland mares. Officiating is the first son of the North American super sire, Blame, to stand in Australia. An Eclipse Champion Racehorse, Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, and three-time Group 1 winner, Blame is an elite stallion who runs at 14% stakes horses to runners as both a sire and a broodmare sire. Officiating was a racehorse for all seasons, excelling on fast and heavy surfaces with four of his five career victories at stakes level. Officiating would capture the Group 3 Cornhusker at his penultimate outing making it his third high class Group win before farewelling the track in the US$1million Group 2 Charles Town Classic, finishing a neck fourth behind Art Collector, the winner of the Group 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes. This is proper, fast, tough form on the world stage. “We got our man!” Aquis Stallions Director of Sales, Jonathan Davies enthused. “In a deal we spent most of 2023 putting together in the USA, Officiating is perfect for our local broodmare population, that’s why he’s here and we’ve already seen a glimpse of that through this season’s Group 2 Todman Stakes winner Switzerland being by Snitzel out of a Blame mare”. “For us, launching stallions and developing value for our stallion shareholders is what it’s about and like Brave Smash and Royal Meeting, Officiating is that tough, sound, outcross stallion that will work and we have no doubt in four to five years’ time he will be sought by all the big studs in the Hunter Valley and Victoria. Officiating will stand his first season at Aquis Stallions at a fee of $12,500 inc GST. Officiating is part of an 8-strong Aquis roster in 2024, which is headed by one of Australia’s leading 2-year-old sires Kobayashi. Please contact our sales team at Aquis Stallions for more information or to arrange a private viewing of our new stallion Officiating or any of the 2024 stallions. · Jonathan Davies (Director of Sales) - 0423 033 858 · Paul Knight (Business Development Manager) – 0410 683 469 · Penelope Crowley (Nominations) - 0427 857 788 2024 Aquis Stallion Roster (inc GST) Kobayashi - $15,000 Lean Mean Machine - $13,200 Jonker - $12,500 Officiating (USA) (NEW) - $12,500 Stronger - $9,900 Invader - $8,800 Glenfiddich - $5,500 The Mission - $4,400

Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA) has today opened applications for its successful Stud Start program, which provides a gateway for people with little or no previous experience to enter the breeding industry. Fully funded by TBA, Stud Start was launched last year to compliment TBA’s flagship training program, Fast Track, and is designed for people – particularly in rural areas – who are looking for a career change or to re-enter the workforce, who are keen to pursue a career in the thoroughbred breeding sector. Successful applicants will be inducted into a six-week taster program that combines online learning with an intensive week-long learning block in Scone (NSW). During the week in Scone, students will receive class-based education and hands-on experience with horses, which puts into practice the online lessons they have completed over the previous five weeks. Other activities include farm visits, hearing from guest speakers and networking opportunities. On conclusion of the six-week course, participants will have completed three units of competency which can be used in their Certificate III in Horse Breeding, should they choose to pursue this qualification. The aim is to provide participants with the basic skills, knowledge and contacts necessary to take their first steps towards joining Australia’s thriving breeding industry. “Stud Start will provide successful participants the confidence and skills to enter a career within thoroughbred industry. This year we are excited to offer not only face-to-face learning but a hybrid structure of online study and hands-on practice throughout the six weeks, which is a development from the launch of the program in 2023,” says Madison Tims, TBA’s education and projects manager. “The course structure provides the foundational horse skills needed to begin a career on farm as well as putting trainees on a path to securing a formal qualification.” TBA is encouraging any interested parties to apply for the program by Friday, 17th May via this link. Successful applicants will commence their online learning from Monday, 17th June, with the course ending on Monday, 22nd July. Following the online learning component, students will participate in an intensive course at TAFE in Scone from Wednesday, 24th July to Wednesday, 31st July. Students will be provided with accommodation during the week in Scone. Depending on the participant’s travel requirements, financial assistance may also be provided. “Thoroughbred Breeders Australia are always looking for new initiatives to bring people into the breeding sector. This is a national program designed to provide an opportunity for those seeking a career change or looking to re-enter the workforce to get a job with horses,” says TBA chief executive, Tom Reilly. In addition to Stud Start, TBA also runs Fast Track, a 12-month traineeship program that places students in full time employment on stud farms around the country while they study for the Certificate III in Horse Breeding – a nationally recognised formal qualification. Now in its seventh year, the 2024 Fast Track intake is set to commence in late May. For enquiries about the Stud Start program or Fast Track, please contact Madison Tims at madison@tbaus.com or by phone on 0405 535 436. To apply for the Stud Start program, visit the TBA website here .

The TBQA is proud to support and partner the Australian Industry Trade College Equine Academy and congratulate them on their growth of the Academy. The College now has almost 40 young people in the academy across five schools in southeast Queensland. These numbers are set to grow to 50 after our July intake. We have many young people who are aspiring trackwork riders, a couple of jockeys, stable-hands, farriers, equestrian coaches, and equine vet nurses, to name a few. They recently concluded the first ever AITC Residential Industry Training Equine (RITE), which has now become an integral part of the Equine Academy. This immersive program spans the first two weeks of the Certificate II Racing (Stable-Hand) course and takes place at Racing Queensland's training centre at Deagon Racecourse in Brisbane. The impact of the RITE program has been truly invaluable. It provides our young participants with a fully immersive training experience, empowering them to confidently pursue their pathways in the racing industry. Through this program, they gain real skills, real-life experience, valuable connections, and numerous career opportunities. You can find out more here