$18 million spent on “International Sires”
Harness Racing Australia (HRA) recently released details of last years’ outstanding breeding season and service figures.
Further examination of these great results illustrates some of the economics and dynamics of Standardbred breeding illustrates that Australia continues to be a fertile destination for connections of International Sires.
Australian breeders spent an estimated $18,000,000 on services to imported semen or shuttle stallions in the 2020/21 breeding season.
Based on gross figures and advertised service fees, HRA estimates that breeders spent a record, $25.9 million on service fees in 2020/21, a jump of $1.4m from the season prior.
In a lucrative addition to their stud duties in other jurisdictions, International Stallions claimed almost 70-cents in every dollar spent on these service fees.
There are many positive signs that the new breeding regulations, new Racing Season and valuable breeding incentives have combined to stimulate breeding numbers, while injecting additional competition and choice in the industry. In a simply sensational 2020/21 breeding season, many local Sires enjoyed a breakout year, with 8 of the 21 Stallions who served 100 or more mares in Australia, residing here. That was double the 4 (local) of 12 Sires (total) serving 100+ mares in 2019/20.
Healthy returns and competition have also been evident at Horse Sales, with some estimates of gross turnover increasing by more than $4 million.
For more information, please contact Andrew Kelly on +61 3 9227 3000.
