Radical proposal to boost state's breeding sector
A THOUGHT provoking, perhaps even radical, proposal to boost one state's breeding industry has been discussed with the region's leading studmasters.
With limited mares, and an even smaller pool of stallions, being bred in South Australia, the studmasters are desperate to increase numbers before the sector disappears from the state.
While the return of incentives such as cashback payments for mares bred to local stallions would be a welcome initiative, studmasters Mario Borg and Steve Norman believe a larger long term strategy needs to be implemented.
One such option is additional prizemoney for progeny of SA domiciled stallions via the Southern Cross series.
As it stands, the futurity is open to foals by any stallion, which is not something the duo want changed.
What has been proposed is a bonus on top of the base stake should the winner be a son or daughter of an SA-based sire.
For example, last season's Finals were conducted for $35,000, with the winners pocketing $17,225.
Should one of the winners be sired by Gotta Go Cullect - which stands at Borg's Bellmoure Park Stud - connections would receive an additional $30,000.
Such an attractive amount would "most certainly" make the series a more viable option for breeders to send their mares to local stallions according to Borg.
"I think it's a brilliant idea," Borg declared. "It would make SA stallions more attractive, and in turn, has the potential to lift the mare numbers in the state.
"The bonus money could be arranged along similar lines to Victoria's $1million country cups bonus, where it is insured and doesn't cost the industry the full amount.
"Something has to be done to save the breeding over here and an idea like that could very well be the answer."
Borg believes the potential of increased mares being bred in South Australia would have a flow-on effect, such as more stallions being relocated there, which inturn means more mares and so on.
"If all of a sudden our mare pool grows, that leads to the prospect of more stallions and better bloodlines," Borg said. "In the long term, it can only be a good thing for SA.
"Take a stallion, which has a good record and bloodlines, but is not gaining a lot of traction interstate because of a flooded market for example, it could get more mares here if the mare numbers are lifted.
"All of a sudden that stallion could serve 30 mares here, whereas it's only getting 12-15 interstate and has a chance to get more foals on the ground.
"That's enticing for the stallion owners as they're getting more money from the extra services, which is then enticing for mare owners to have more stakes on the table via local stallions and off we go with a strong foundation to move forward.
"Something needs to be done sooner than later as the small broodmare numbers here can only be split so far."
Norman echoed Borg's sentiments, stating the introduction of another stallion within the small mare population would have a "cannibalism" effect.
"We need more mares being bred here, but we need the stallions to service them," Norman said. "It is a double-edged sword as bringing in a new stallion now with such a small amount of mares would just be cannibalism towards the current stallions' services.
"A bonus idea for locally-sired foals is absolutely something I would like to see happen. It would be happy days for the local industry and provide so much room for growth.
"I'm a supporter of what the board has done in the past three or four years, but as far as the breeding side goes, there's more that can be done.
"Announcing the introduction of such a bonus for mares served in 2026 now for example would give potential breeders time to source a mare before the stud season, and inturn, increase the viability of standing a stallion in South Australia.
"In a few years' time when those foals are ready to race, we could potentially have lifted the mare population by a fair amount, have newer stallions and bloodlines here and revitalized South Australia's breeding sector."
