Breeders’ support likely

Press, 14 April 1988, Page 30

Breeders’ support likely

NZPA 1 Wellington

The i thoroughbred breeders of New Zealand seem sure |tb throw their support ! behind the "Magic Million” Yearling Sale to be [inaugurated at the Wellington 1 Racing Club’s Trentham complex next year.

I Graduates of the 500strong unreserved sale will, as juveniles, be eligible to compete in two $1 million races in 1990 — bne run during the Wellington Cup carnival and in conjunction with the .‘follow-up sale, the other !in Australia.

, The concept announced bn Monday has been accepted as the best possible ineans of resurrecting a yearling auction at Trentham and entrenching the Wellington Cup carnival. Its prestigious place on the calendar was threatened last year by an Auckland Racing Club .proposal to stage a $1 ] million race with the backing of the nation's leading commercial breeders at Ellerslie, two days after the Wellington Cup.

The timing was also just before the National Yearling Sale which iwas relocated to Kanaka’ south of Auckland, this year.

The New Zealand Racing Authority quelled that uprising against] tradition by refusing the: Auckland Racing Club perinission to stage the race. | Still the Wellington Racing Club sought l means to strengthen the; carnival,

tied inextricably to the sale for many years.

After three weeks of negotiations the W.R.C., Elders pastoral and the Gold Coast Convention and Sales Centre (host of the model Queensland sale) announced on Monday a "Magic Million” Sale would be held at Trentham next year, and thereafter annually. New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association president, Ted Howarth, still considering the pros, cons and possible repercussions, said on Tuesday that there were many reasons for breeders to support the sale.

And while loath to make a unilateral statement (he consults with his fellow N.Z.T.B;A. councillors on Monday), Mr Howarth said ’ there was every indication it would be a success, i '

"The magic million concept has been very successful overseas — in Australia, Ireland and France — and I see no reason why it should not be successful here,” Mr Howarth, a stud master at Waikanae and a stewart of the Wellington Racing Club, said.

“From a breeder's point of view, I can say there will be some . relief at having a further outlet for yearlings. “Any new j thing that helps to sell. horses is a boon. We are 1 suffering an over-supply ] at themoment, producing more

than we can sell, j “This sale, and particularly the concept that goes with it, should [ensure more buyers, which of course is advantageous to the breeders.” |

Mr Howarth also envisages an upsurge! in the quality of the stock being produced. “At the moment [there’s probably only about 500 top quality yearlings produced every year.j There are a lot that are riot very saleable. “The 'Magic Million’ Sale should re-emphasise to breeders they are operating in a comfnercial field.” '; ‘! 1 ‘

Mr Howarth, however, warned of the fragmentation his association had striven for so long to avoid. ■ P . ;

“The thing ; the breeders’ council will I have to consider] is the effect it will have on the National Sale. “Splitting the National Sale has always ]been a concern. We have striven at all costs to avoid fragmentation.

"But I believe this move was inevitable; that the magic million I people would . move into New Zealand —' if not Trentham, then Auckland had the sale ] remained at Trentham.. I “It could only be a good thing if it brought more buyers into the field, but we don’t want a] situation where half of the buyers go to Auckland] and the other half to Wellington,

and all of them get bar-: gains of the lack of competition. : “We probably only have 1 one go at the! buyers and you want them all at thei one venue. That is the major principle we have worked on in: the past.

Mr Howarth said the N.Z.T.B.A. council would honour its commitment to breeders great and small in taking its stand on thri “Magic Million” Sale at Trentham. I

“We must remind our-, selves we represent all breeders. Not just the] Haunui Farms and Patrick Hogans, all the] small breeders and various other people all over the country. I “If somebody produces a sale our members are going to patronise, then we have to, give it outsupport as well.” One probable repercussion of the sale’s success — a speed infatuation — has Mr Howarth, a trad.tionalist, concerned.

"Should it establish itself it would almost certainly lead to an influx of sprint sires. While that would help certain areas where broodmares have become too stout of blocid, we have always been concerned with maintaining New Zealand’s reputation as a producer of fine stayers. “It would be a worry if the “Magic Million” Series led to an over-emphqsis on two-year-old racing.” j