The Register of Standardbred Stallions for 2022 arrived in letterboxes around the country last week and as always represents an exciting time for industry participants with the breeding season, warm weather and an exciting conclusion to the revamped harness racing calendar just around the corner.

To celebrate the new breeding season, the NZ Standardbred Breeders Association and their affiliate branches are holding their annual breeding season launches at three venues around the country.

Canterbury breeders have the first opportunity to welcome the new season in stunning fashion with Addington Raceway playing host the Sunday (August 7^th) to what promises to be a great afternoon of racing and informative discussion.

“We are well represented once again by the participating studs from around New Zealand,” said John Mooney, Executive Manager of the NZSBA.

“For the first time since 2020 we will be welcoming some of our Australian counterparts with Louise Toulman of Haras Des Trotteurs and John Coffey of Northern Rivers Equine making the trip across the ditch to participate at all three venues,” he said.

Stallion presentations from the studs are not a new concept however having integrated them into a race meeting where possible over the last couple years has significantly grown the attendance.

“We’ve been able to get upwards of 100 breeders attending in Christchurch and we are hoping to get close to that mark again this year,” said Mooney.

“The North Island branch are hosting their launch party at Cambridge this year (Thursday 11^th August) and Cathie Shaw always does a wonderful job of hosting her members, so I’m sure they will have an excellent turnout there also.

With Southland not having any race meetings programmed, the Southern Breeders branch will host their annual event at the Ascot Park Hotel on Tuesday week (9^th August). The lack of racing action has no bearing on drawing an excellent crowd of passionate and hardy breeders who turn up in their droves to hear the informative discussion of stallions new and old.

At each venue, attendees will automatically be eligible for one of two breeding veterinary packages worth $500 each.

Anyone wanting to attend is encouraged to click on the respective flyers below and RSVP with their local industry body.

Canterbury: Addington Raceway 7^th August

Southland: Ascot Park Hotel 9^thAugust

North Island: Cambridge Raceway 11^th August

You can view the 2022 Register of Standardbred Stallions by clicking here!

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink