TROTTING Currency Restrictions Affecting Studmasters

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30471, 19 June 1964, Page 5

TROTTING Currency Restrictions Affecting Studmasters

The difficulty of obtaining sufficient overseas funds to secure standard-bred stallions is causing concern among studmasters and breeders throughout New Zealand. The problem is not a new one, but it has become more serious in the last year or two as a result of the deaths of a number of horses, and the export of others to Australia.

Final figures concerning siring successes this season are not yet available, but these are unlikely to affect the position which pertained when progress statistics were released earlier. At that point 11 stallions had sired the winners of more than £lO,OOO in stakes, and of them only four are expected to be available to breeders in the coming spring.

The list was headed by Hal Tryax, which is reported to have failed to leave any mares in foal last spring. After him were the three Roydon Lodge Stud sires, U. Scott, Light Brigade and Captain Adios, all of which had died.

The imported stallion, Flying Song, and the former New Zealand champion, Johnny Globe, were next on the list, both still being available. They were followed by Stormyway, which is to leave for a New South Wales stud in the next few weeks, and Meadow Chief, which was already in Australia. Meadow Chief died a few months ago. Smokey Hanover, which was in ninth place on the list, has been shipped to Australia, while the other two in the top 11, Garrison Hanover and Van Dieman, are still available to breeders.

The position has now arisen that there are available to breeders only eight imported stallions which have sired winners in this country. Quite a number of these are not greatly sought after by New Zealand breeders, or by purchasers at the yearling sales. In addition, there are another eight imported stallions which have yet to’ be represented by winners in this country. Breeders are hoping that from among the ranks of these stallions will come the successor to U. Scott and Light Brigade, which have dominated the New Zealand scene for so many years. Australian studmasters have been more fortunate in the attitude adopted regarding the availability of funds for the purchase of stallions from the United States. Australian breeders have never had such a selection of well-bred stallions available to them. According to reports, their ranks will he further swelled in the next 12 months, as negotiations are at present in train for the purchase of several new stallions.

Within five years the effects of this flood of importations from the United States should be noticeable in an improvement in the standard of pacers and trotters in Australia. This will react to the detriment of breeders in this country who over the years hav» developed a sizeable market in Australia. This year Australian buyers at the yearling sales at Addington purchased the progeny of imported stallions to the extent of 93.1 per cent of the money they spent.

New Zealand breeders are banking on one or two of the stallions still to be represented on the race tracks proving highly successful. In the meantime a number of them are making strenuous

efforts to secure funds for the purchase of new stallions. Some are proposing to make purchases on their own behalf, while others are' attempting to form small syndicates as has been done with success, with thoroughbred stallions in this country, and with both standard-bred and thoroughbred stallions overseas.

It has ' been found that proven stallions in the United States just cannot be bought. Others, with worthwhile potential, are available at fairly substantial five-figure sums, while there is a tremendous pool of stallions available at prices down to a few hundred dollars.

Attempts to secure horses in the medium-price group have been frustrated by currency restrictions. This problem is at present being investigated by the New Zealand Trotting Conference, and owners and breeders’ organisations, assisted by stock and agency companies. The results Of their efforts should be known in the next few months.