NSW Breeding Report released

Harness Racing New South Wales has released the annual 2021/22 Breeding Report.

With the industry facing many external challenges the past few years such as drought, floods and a global pandemic, breeding numbers across the state have remained relative to the industry nationally and are encouraging.

“Breeding numbers are constantly a focal point as without supply the demand required for racing must be sustained and it is pleasing that the level has plateaued,” HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny stated.

“Regrettably during the once in a life time drought experienced in NSW it was not possible for owners to retain all stock be those horses, sheep or cattle and there was a natural decrease in mares bred.

“On the positive side there were around 100 less foals born each year in that period but applying a year-on-year comparison over the last two seasons, there was a similar upwards movement from 863 foals to 966 foals which with the Breed NSW Scheme introduced by HRNSW this year, the foal numbers are projected to return to the numbers of five years ago.”

Of note has been the growth of NSW based sires taking up more than 53 per cent of the services – a significant increase from the 2017/18 season where NSW sires made up 33 per cent of the numbers.

Comparing the last five breeding seasons, the 2021/22 season has the highest number of services to Stallion Incentive Scheme eligible stallions.

When the Colonial Stallions Scheme was first implemented only 14 per cent of NSW services were by these sires yet in the 2021/22 Season 56 per cent of NSW domiciled services are colonial stallions.

In the last five breeding seasons, the Western Districts and Riverina have accounted for the majority of the foal population with 64.2 per cent of foals born in those regions.

The number of live foals to services has been quite consistent averaging 66.2 per cent.

Meanwhile, the percentage of NSW foals as a live foal population percentage of all foals born in Australia remains at 30 per cent with NSW and Victoria providing 72 per cent of live foals born in Australia in 2021/22.

To view the full report click here.

by Amanda Rando, for HRNSW