Big Potential For N.Z.-Breds In U.S.

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32050, 26 July 1969, Page 6

Big Potential For N.Z.-Breds In U.S.

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON.

There Is a trethendous potent tlal foe the New Zealand thor--1 oughbred In America, an Ame- , ricpn beer magnate. Mr A. 0. . Straub said yesterday. . Mr Straub, who arrived in ' Wellington on Thursday night • to form a new bloodstock 5 agency with the recently re. . signed keeper of the New Zealand Stud Book. Mr G. L. Tuc- ■ ker. said New Zealand horses i were taking a back seat at : present. , "Your thoroughbreds seen in America so far have mostly ! been purchased for big sums [ and on the whole have not done , well. Many of them never even go to the races," said Mr > Straub. However. South American . horses had been successful and . made names for themselves, he ; said. “I think that New Zealand , thoroughbreds have a great ; potential on the American market but they must first prove ■ themselves over there," he said. “It is difficult to see how this can be done but one way might be that instead of buying one ! New Zealand thoroughbred for

3100,900 to buy 10 for 310,000 each and so have a greater number of New Zealand-breds racing in the States. With more horses racing the odds that one will do really well are greater and that is what New Zealand needs at present," he said. Mr Straub felt regulations for importing horses are obsolete and must be changed to attract more American interest. "The thoroughbred market between here and the United States Is a one-way street," he said. "Americans can buy thoroughbreds in New Zealand and within 48 hours have them on their way to the United States. “However, if we wish to bring horses to your country we have to send them to England for a aix-month quarantine period before shipping them on to here." Mr Straub, has made five previous trips io New Zealand and has already purchased a Bourbon Prince filly to race In the United States. From his stable in California be races about 13 horses. He will be in New Zealand for two weeks and hopes to attend the South Island thoroughbred sale and a couple of race meetings.