Here's a novel marketing approach - taking the stallions to the urban masses rather than vice versa.

From Inside Racing Online (27 July 2004, Edition 152) - editorial by Bradley Thomas:

Stallions On Show at Flemington

In an increasingly hectic world, finding a spare hour yet alone day can be a grind.Understanding these constraints, Collingrove Stud marketing manager Jenny McAlpine took action. Last week McAlpine trekked five of Collingrove Stud's stallions to Lindsay Park boxes at Flemington to market the roster. It enabled busy breeders to inspect the stallions in the flesh."We understand that people are so busy and just don't have the time to go visit a stud for the day," McAlpine said."This allows people to not leave their businesses for too long. They can quickly pop down for an hour and see the stallions."McAlpine added a flood of interested people had visited the Lindsay Park boxes at Flemington to check out the five travellers - Fraar (USA), Court of Jewels (NZ), Dash for Cash (right), Perugino (USA) and Jeune (GB) (above).Veteran Rory's Jester and the promising Bianconi (USA) stayed at Collingrove Stud in Nagambie, near Seymour, while new stallion Hold That Tiger (USA) won't be out of quarantine until 10 August.

"Interest has been high and it has been a good marketing exercise," McAlpine said.The concept evolved after McAlpine, who can rattle of the statistics of any of the stallions instantly, explained to Collingrove Stud director David Hayes the difficulties of getting clients to the stud.Briefly in Australia during the Hong Kong racing break, Hayes eyed the vacant boxes at Flemington and suggested the town visit.The stallions venture back to Nagambie on Thursday.


COLLINGROVE headed another initiative this year regarding the timing of their local region's stallion parades. As reported in Stallions Daily Bulletin 28 August 2004:

"Stallion parades will be held in the Nagambie-Euroa area of north-eastern Victorian on Sunday.The first of these parades will be conducted at Collingrove Stud, at Nagambie, from 11 a.m.This will be followed by a parade of stallions at Blue Gum Farm, at Euroa, at 1 p.m. and at the nearby Independent Stallions, Victoria, from 2 p.m.

“Rather than have people driving up and down the highway from Melbourne for the parades we decided to hold them in conjunction on the one day,” says Collingrove’s Jenny McAlpine.“There is an open invitation for everyone to attend these three parades.“They have been scheduled to allow people to visit all three studs, for the parades, if they wish.”

A feature at Collingrove - in addition to the stallion parade – will be the drawing of the Emirates Prize, which is open to all breeders who have signed contracts to send mares to the stud’s stallions this year.The winner will receive two business class airline tickets to any Emirates European destination."