A panel of key players in the breeding sector has raised several major issues vital to the sustainability of thoroughbred breeding, including rising costs, staff shortages and the loss of racecourses.
In a session on the third day of the 40th Asian Racing Conference (ARC) titled ‘Breeding: Unpacking Future Challenges & Opportunities’, Ms. Sarah Carmichael, Chief Executive Officer, International Thoroughbred Breeders’ Federation; Mr. Antony Thompson, Owner/Director, Widden Stud Australia; Dr. Naoya Yoshida, President, Winchester Farm; and Mr. Ignacio Pavlovsky, President, Haras Carampangue discussed challenges which are currently impacting the breeding sector.
Ms. Carmichael highlighted stallion numbers and the ageing population of staff currently running horse studs, while also holding concerns for the number of recent dispersal sales.
“We must always breed quality over quantity. We need to breed tough, correct, sound and athletic individuals for the racetrack. Stallion numbers are also a concern, we have gone from having 218 stallions in Great Britain in 2013 to just 118 in 2023,” she said.
“That’s a factor of the competitiveness between the larger stallion stations. We also have a generational crisis with our long-standing stud owners and owner breeders, who have been part of the establishment, they are coming to the end of their term, so we hope the next generation of the family will embrace the business.”
Mr. Thompson was very positive regarding Australia’s breeding future, backed by strong prize money growth: “We’d say prize money is the cornerstone of the Australian racing system. Wagering has seen our prize money break through a billion dollars last year – a billion dollars paid out to participants.
“There has been a 45% increase in prize money in the past five years. This prize money drives ownership. There are over 100,000 registered owners in Australia, so one in about every 250 Australians owns a share in a horse.”
Mr. Pavlovsky spoke of Argentina’s ideal climate and conditions for horse studs as the fifth largest breeding country in the world, although last year’s inflation rate has slowed growth.
“The problem is we have had one crisis after another. Inflation rose 263% last year. Imagine how difficult it is, and all industries have suffered, we have not been an exception. The impact was that we produce too many horses for what the market can afford,” he said.
Staff recruitment and retention was a common issue for breeding operations globally.
Mr. Thompson said: “Like Japan, we have started training for young people in the industry which is working quite well. I see one of our biggest challenges is finding thoroughbred vets, to become a vet in Australia it’s a seven-year degree, and it’s very expensive.
“A lot of vets are opting for where the money is, which is in the city with cats and dogs.”
Mr. Pavlovsky said: “Recruitment is one of the biggest issues the industry has. In Argentina we have very, very good horsemanship, especially in the north of the country, and I think it’s very important to do schools for jockeys, farriers and grooms."
Ms. Carmichael feels horse racing must lead by example to further safeguard itself.
“We have to demonstrate to students that we are a socially responsible industry. The days of someone doing it for the ‘love’ are gone. We have to demonstrate that we are 100% committed to all of the other factors, to social perception of the sport, the end product,” she said.
Dr. Yoshida spoke of a decrease in foal crops in the United States of America as a result of less racetracks operating: “We are losing more racetracks which means we are losing more races.”
Earlier, Mr. Mutsuki Ishimaru, General Manager, International Department, Japan Racing Association (JRA), detailed four policies designed to support breeding – to improve the quality of pedigrees; develop new breeding techniques; alleviate labour shortages and facility improvements.
“The JRA is subsidising the investment in pasture expansion and other facility improvements, thereby improving the infrastructure for breeding and pre-training,” he said.
A panel including Mr. Hirokazu Okada, President, Big Red Farm, Mr. Shunsuke Yoshida, Vice President, Northern Farm and Mr. Tetsuya Yoshida, Vice President, Shadai Farm and President, Shadai Race Horse, discussed the burgeoning Japanese breeding sector.
Mr. Shunsuke Yoshida said: “Northern Farm breeds racehorses, as well as breaking in and pre-training. We have 1,000 broodmares and we have 700 foals this year. 1,060 staff work for our farm. When I graduated from university and came back to the farm, we only produced about 200 foals, so it’s more than tripled.”
Mr. Tetsuya Yoshida said: “The breeding and sales of racehorses is what we (Shadai Farm) do. At the core of it is breeding, then we do breaking, training and two-year-olds before they start racing, who are managed and trained at several farms we own in Hokkaido.”
The group listed high membership racing clubs, young businessmen, star jockeys, and popular games as drawcards to bringing prospective owners into racing’s inner circle.
Mr. Okada said: “I think the increases in the number of owners is behind the increase in transactions at sales. Up until 2010, the turnover was declining in racing and ownership declined as well, after that there has been a gradual increase.
“Young business people are now becoming owners, star jockeys like Yutaka Take led the second horse racing boom in Japan and these entrepreneurs grew up reading and watching horse racing.
“Japan-trained horses are successful overseas, and the sport is international, so they find racing offers status and a dream. Thirdly Uma Musume, the (mobile phone) game, has been played and is successful of having a family of three generations knowing about the horse – this has expanded the base of ownership.”
