Tasmanian-breds will be eligible for bonuses of A$20,000 in 72 races across the state in a scheme developed to stimulate investment in the state's breeding industry.
In the past 10 years the number of Thoroughbred foals born in Tasmania has declined by almost 50%, from 479 in 2006 to 240 in 2016, the most recent year for which full figures are available. The number of broodmares in the state has also dropped from 920 to 501 in that time. The scheme was developed by local breeders in association with TasRacing and the government.
“If we can get more people breeding horses or buying our horses and racing them in the state we are going to create scores of jobs, whether on stud farms, with trainers and all the other areas such as feed, veterinary care and transport that you need with these horses,” said Jenny Watson, president of TasBreeders. “We believe we have a great industry in Tasmania but we are facing stiff competition from across the country and this is a way of encouraging people to buy our product.”
The TasBred scheme aims to increase the number of broodmares in the state by 230 in the next six years, with the expected increase in foals of 115 each year. This will generate nearly A$8-million extra in economic activity in the breeding sector, with an expected 20 more full-time jobs in that industry alone. A similar increase in jobs in training the horses for racing and associated areas is also expected.
The Liberal government has committed an initial A$300,000, with a promise of a further A$300,000 per year for five years if re-elected. Registration to the scheme will cost breeders A$440 if the horse is sired by a local stallion, or $1,320 if it was conceived on the mainland but reared in Tasmania.
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