ENCOURAGEMENT FOR BREEDERS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1010, 15 July 1909, Page 5

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR BREEDERS.

A MOVE BY WELLINGTON RACING CLUB. For some time past, says the- “ Dominion,” the Executive of the Wellington Racing Club has been considering a proposal to devote some prize-money to the breeders of winners of important races, and, at a meeting of the stewards held on Monday evening, the following resolution was passed:—“ That the stakes in the following races be increased as under: Wellesley Stakes, 1909, 600 sovs. to 660 sovs.; Wellington Stakes, 1910, 500 sovs. to 550 sovs.; Challenge Stakes, 1910, 600 sovs. to 660 sovs.; St. Leger Stakes, 1910, 400 sovs. to 440 sovs.; Leger Stakes, 1911, 400 sovs. to 440 sovs.”

The increase is to be devoted as follows:—Viz., 75 per cent, to go to the breeder of the winner, if bred in New Zealand, and 25 per cent, to be distributed to certain A. and P. shows to supplement prizes for events calculated to encourage the breeding of horses, such events not to be confined to thoroughbreds. Conditions. —Any winnings under the above rule which are not paid over or claimed in writing within six months of the corresponding event, are to revert to the club. Unless particulars appear in the New Zealand Stud Book, breeders must apply for their winnings under the above rule, which will not be distributed until at least four weeks after the event. The owner or lessee of the mare at the time of foaling the winner will be deemed to be the breeder. In the event of any disputes arising out of the distribution under the above rule, the decision of the stewards of the Wellington Racing Club shall be final. As far as the above events are concerned, entries have already closed, but, as the money to be allotted tn breeders and the A. and P. Associations has been added by the club, owners will not be affected. So far as New Zealand is concerned, the scheme is quite an original one, and, if it be accepted favourably, it is quite likely

that the Wellington Racing Club will add to the stakes of all its important races, and attach similar conditions thereto. It often happens that, at the annual yearling sales, youngsters purchased for trifling sums afterwards win thousands of pounds in stakejs, but the breeder, so far from benefiting thereby, has actually made a loss on the keep of the yearling. The resolution adopted by the Wellington Racing Club should, therefore, meet with general approbation from horse breeders in the Dominion.