I will be in Australia completing a major project for the next 8 days (and adding a few days of annual leave in there as well). The blog therefore is unlikely to be updated prior to the 6 August. Please check back then!

With best wishes
Katrina

It doesn't need to be victory in a G1 race to make someone happy. If you don't believe me - you obviously didn't see the animated expression on Japanese jockey Yoshi Aoki's face as he returned to scale aboard his first Australian winner today at Bendigo.

Riding the 4yo Distorted Humor gelding BONO (trained by Steve Richards), Aoki was competing in just his 18th race since being licensed to ride Down Under. Of note, he narrowly missed winning his first race 2 weeks ago when, aboard the same horse, he placed second to Demon Quattro in a class 2 race over 1312 m at Wangaratta.

TVN has an interview with the jockey and also video of the concluding stages of the race on their site if you're interested.

Want to learn more about some of the UK's more famous owners? The British Horseracing Board site (which is an absolute standout by the way) has some very interesting profiles. You can find them at the following URL.

The John F Feehan Stakes on September 10, 2005, will honour Dato’ Tan Chin Nam, one of Australia’s biggest and most successful racehorse owners.

Whilst the G2 1600m race’s official registered name will remain as the John F Feehan Stakes, it will now be publicly recognised as the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

Dato’ Tan Chin Nam, a Malaysian property developer, has poured more than $10 million into the Australian racing industry and has owned horses the calibre of dual Melbourne Cup winner Think Big, 1998 Doncaster Handicap winner Catalan Opening and 1996 Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup winner Saintly.

He has owned almost 200 horses and amassed more than $12 million in prizemoney.

Dato Tan Chin Nam turns 80 in March next year and the naming of such a major race in his honour is a fitting tribute to his enormous contribution to the thoroughbred industry.

Trainer Bart Cummings is the person largely responsible for introducing Dato’ Tan Chin Nam to the sport of kings.

To coincide with the re-naming of the Feehan Stakes in his honour, Dato’ Tan Chin Nam has donated funds towards the development of the Saintly Spring Star Award. The award is based on a points system for horses that perform well in Moonee Valley’s feature spring races.

The Saintly Spring Star Award takes in 18 black type races from August 13 – October 22. They include the Group 1 Cox Plate and Manikato Stakes, seven Group 2, four Group 3 and five listed races.

The owners of the winning horse that accumulates the most points in those races will receive $5000 cash, a special handcrafted trophy worth $5,000 and a trip for two to the Hong Kong International Series in December.

Bart Cummings will present the award at Moonee Valley’s Derby Eve race meeting on Friday October 28 and Saintly himself will be a special guest on the night.

John F Feehan will continue to be widely recognised by the Club and his family have supported this positive new initiative with Dato’ Tan Chin Nam.

“The registered name of the race will remain as the John F Feehen Stakes so his legacy will continue to live on and his family has been very accepting of this valuable sponsorship opportunity,” said MVRC Chief Executive John Cameron.

“Through Dato’ Tan Chin Nam’s generosity we have been able to add an exciting new concept to the Moonee Valley Racing Club and also pay tribute to a man who has been one of the huge yet widely underestimated players in Australian racing.”

The winner of the Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes is exempt from the Carlton Draught Cox Plate ballot. Entries close for the 2005 Carlton Draught Cox Plate on Tuesday August 2.

Source: Moonee Valley Race Club Media Release

John-Paul Moloney Racing writing for The Canberra Times reports on a ray of hope for Canberra's racing industry. In recent months the ACT has battled news of the shocking spinal injury sustained in a race fall by jockey Ray Silburn, some atrocious weather conditions which have seen two meetings cancelled at Queanbeyan in the space of a week, and the shock suspension of racing in Canberra from the start of July because of the lack of adequate insurance cover for jockeys after the expiration of the Canberra Racing Club's old policy.

Finally some good news it would seem - Thoroughbred Park looks like it will see a return to racing by the end of August after the Club received conditional approval to operate under Racing NSW's jockey insurance policy.

The Race Club will need to satisfy some OHS requirements and NSW WorkCover will need to agree to amend some of its regulations to allow the transfer of insurance coverage... but hopefully the wheels are at least in motion.

Meanwhile it looks as if Goulburn will absorb some additional race meetings.

At 1pm today William Inglis & Son's Oaklands base will host a stallion parade - forty Victorian-based stallions taking part. These days are always a good opportunity for lesser known stallions to get in front of broodmare owners, and to allow stud managers/marketing staff a valuable 'meet and greet' session as people wander around and ask questions (as the appearance of the more well known/commercial stallions who also participate will always attract a crowd).

The stallion list is as follows:

Adam, Masterclass (USA), Clangalang, Oamaru Force, Barton Gate, Legion, Court Of Jewels (NZ), Perugino ( USA), Critical List, Planchet, Curata Storm, My Patriarch (GB), Estambul (Arg), Platinum Scissors, Danbird, Portland Pirate, Delzao, Promontory Gold (USA), Dash For Cash, Rohatyn (NZ), Flying Gulch, Saithor (USA), Hillman, Spartacus, Jetball, Special Bond, King de Lago, Superior Sateen, Jeune (GB), Time Mill ( GB), Kempinsky, Tully Dane, Lacryma Cristi (Ire), Tully Zeal (NZ), Manner Hill, Tuscany Flyer, King Of Prussia, Vitrinite (NZ), Monde Bleu (GB), Yasey (Jpn).

Adrants has flagged the existence of a clever new viral ad from fashion retailer THE GAP. It probably won't be too easy to load if you haven't got broadband - and maybe isn't one for the kids (I can't say I will ever look at a dressing room in quite the same way again! Note, once you've created your identity don't forget to click "watch me change" ... it's sure to make you laugh!!).

These sort of virtual reality "add-ons" for a website could so easily be adopted by companies servicing the racing industry. All someone would need would be a good IT and design team behind them. Can't you just see a simulation where people can create a "look alike" to themselves and then watch themselves leading their virtual horse into the winner's circle?

I'm going to put a small wager on one of the international race clubs adopting something along these lines (minus the quasi-strip show I assume!) in future years.

The GAP's virtual dressing room can be found at the following URL.

Another product I looked at for a client's website a few years back was Pulse VEEPERS. Veepers are virtual characters created from a 2D image, provided with speech via either recorded audio or (optional) text-to-speech, and integrated into a new or existing Web page or other application in just a few minutes. (A note for the IT savvy - the output is also Java so no plug-ins are required for viewing).

In simple terms - you just upload a photograph of someone and the technology brings it to life - I had hours of fun animating a series of photos of my co-workers as I tested the software.

It's a lot cheaper than streaming video, the file size is very small so can be sustained with dial-up connections ... and they are VERY cool! Latest news from Pulse is that Veepers have been adapted for mobile phone marketing too.

A great marketing tool (also a very good viral ['word of mouth'] tool).

An extract from NTRA Facts & Figures (Associated Press Newswires)

RACING TO HISTORY

July 22, 1999 - Dale Baird, the winningest trainer in history, recorded his 8,000th victory at Mountaineer Race Track in Chester, W.Va., sending out Midsummer Scene to take the 6th race.

July 23, 1947 - Early Edition, Hunters Sun and Brown Jewel, all offspring of the sire Hunters Moon IV, finished 1-2-3, respectively, in a race at Hollywood Park

July 23, 1985 - A bay colt, Seattle Dancer, son of Nijinsky II and the mare My Charmer, sold to Robert Sangster for $13.1 million, the record price for a Thoroughbred. Seattle Dancer, a half brother to 1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew, raced five times as a three-year-old to earn less than $150,000 from two wins, one second and one third before he was retired. The previous record for a horse sold at auction was $10.2 million, paid by Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum in 1983 for Snaafi Dancer, who never raced.

July 26, 1962 - Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. rode his first winner in the U.S., Counterate, at Aqueduct Racetrack.

July 26, 1973 - The New York Racing Association and the Philip Morris Corporation announced the inaugural Marlboro Cup, a race to feature Secretariat and his stablemate, Riva Ridge, that would be run Sept. 15 at Belmont Park.

July 27, 1973 - In preparation for the Aug. 4 Whitney Stakes, Secretariat worked a mile at Saratoga Racecourse in 1:34 over a muddy track. His workout time was 4/5 of a second lower than the 55-year-old track record for the distance. He galloped out another eighth of a mile for a final time of 1:47 4/5, which was 2/5 of a second lower than the track record.

July 27, 2004 - Tim Smith, first-ever Commissioner of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association, resigned his position, effective Sept. 1. D.G. Van Clief, Jr. was named his successor.

July 28, 1951 - Citation, then the worlds leading money-winning Thoroughbred, was paraded before a crowd of 28,000 at Arlington Park in his last public appearance at a track before being retired to stud.

July 28, 1987 - Jockey Angel Cordero Jr. won his 6,000th victory in the Colleen Stakes at Monmouth Park aboard Lost Kitty. He was the fourth rider in racing history to accomplish that feat.

July 29, 1953 - Jockey Walter Blum rode his first career winner at Saratoga Racecourse.

July 29, 1972 - In preparation for a July 31 race at Saratoga, Secretariat went three furlongs in :35.

July 29, 1973 - Jockey Pat Day rode his first career winner, Forblunged, in a $2,000 claiming race at Prescott Downs, Prescott, Ariz. His mount earned $347the winners share of the $631 purse.

July 29, 1995 - Jockey Russell Baze won his 5,000th career victory, aboard Cyrus Says, in the sixth race at Sonoma County Fair. He was the 15th rider to reach that plateau.

July 29, 2004 - Jockey John Velazquez earned the 3,000 victory of his career in the second race at Saratoga aboard Runingforpresident.

Del Mar Racetrack opened its 66th meeting yesterday with attendance of 40,046, the second-largest opening-day crowd in Del Mar history and the third-largest at the track ever. The opening-day record is 40,682 (July 23, 2003) and the all-time track high was 44,181 (Aug. 10, 1996).

James Steinberg, staff writer for the UNION-TRIBUNE has written a lovely light hearted article about traffic, hats, flooded car spaces, and race fans doing what they do best - enjoying the day. You can find the article at the following URL.

Most people assume that the biggest race course in China is located in Beijing. Interestingly, whilst the western media continue to focus on the Mainland capital's racing infrastructure, the biggest course is actually the Orient Lucky City based in Wuhan.

For those who are not that familiar with China, Wuhan is the capital city of central China's Hubei Province. It is one of the six largest cities in China and covers 8,467 sq km with a population of 7.16 million (an urban population of approx. 4.86 million).

The Orient Lucky City track commenced operations in 2003. The company behind its construction - the Hong Kong-invested Orient Lucky Horse Co - spent a reported 1.5 billion yuan (US$181.2 million), to build the track.

Investors had hoped that the construction of the track would assist the company in acquiring the first legal bookmaking license in China. In a country that disallows any form of gambling, the State Sports General Administration (SSGA) has not provided any optimistic signals to date show that the central government is considering such a move any time in the near future.

Developers are therefore exercising patience - and absorbing massive annual debt - the track reportedly costing between 10 million yuan (US$1.2 million) and 30 million yuan (US$3.6 million) per year to maintain.

Meanwhile, the Wuhan track will host its third international horse racing festival in September. Racing will last for 8 days (September 17 to 24) and a number of countries will be represented including France, Spain, Australia, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China.

(International racing festival news courtesy of Xinhua)

Tourism equals dollars. Dollars feed local communities. Great news then for Scone, the Hunter Valley generally, and also the area's thoroughbred industry with the release of a Tourism Research Australia report on tourist spending in regional areas in 2004.

The report states that:

"Local tourists directly spent $51.1 billion in Australia last year, while international tourists spent $12.6 billion. Of the total $63.7 billion, $30.6 billion was spent in regional Australia.

"Research also found 54 per cent of domestic visitors' expenditure was spent in regional areas, "emphasising the importance of domestic visitors to regional Australia". "

The flow-on effect from these positive numbers should assist thoroughbred studs/related services who are promoting their products/services during the Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival. They will also be able to leverage from additional marketing efforts (and significant dollars) being invested by Tourism Australia aimed at "increasing total and average length of stay and grow dispersal and regional visitor spend by encouraging visitors to travel outside major gateways".

This should certainly add some scope for 'premium' sponsorship opportunities with various events held during the Festival. Great for promoters. Great for advertisers in terms of profile.

It's always nice to see these win-win marketing situations when they crop up.

Source: The Scone Advocate

Reported in today's Breeding & Racing Daily News was the news that Gordon Calder (formerly at Windsor Park Stud) will act as Coolmore Australia's representative in New Zealand. His role will include: promotion of Coolmore Australia's stallions to NZ mare-owners; selling nominations to those stallions; & assisting mare-owners with the free pedigree & mating advice that Coolmore Australia offers clients throughout Australasia.

We were discussing the use of art as a marketing tool a few weeks back. The NEWS-TIMES reports on a town supporting the trend - Brookfield (USA) adding a stallion sculpture to the mare and foal sculptures on the grounds of the town hall.

The sculpture's artist is Peter Busby of Cornwall.

(I did, however, grimace at a sign of the times: "The finish makes the horses virtually resistant to graffiti and rust and makes it difficult for people to climb on".)

Damn. The media have been spoiling us of late - waxing lyrical about the joys of thoroughbred ownership and allowing syndicaters to say their prayers in peace every night as they enjoy the hype and offload the shares in their never ending list of 2005 yearlings. Meanwhile only the owners remain any the wiser about the REAL costs of supporting these gorgeous animals.

Just when I had started to relax and believe that the 6-months of hype might become 12, two things cropped up to destroy the dream.

First was the rather irritating gentleman on the plane I was on the other night who gestured to the large cardboard box I was carrying and asked if it was a piece of art.

"Of sorts," I responded (my eyes remaining focused on the passengers at the front of the plane whose speed - or lack thereof - in removing their onboard baggage from the overhead compartments was going to determine whether I would be back at my apartment by 6am ... or 7).

"An original?" he persisted.

"Photo of my horse winning last week actually," I said in an attempt to get rid of him.

He recoiled as if I had shot him. "HORSES?!" he blustered "May as well burn your money."

(I'm not entirely sure my facial expression assisted at this point).

Meanwhile, whilst those (ridiculously slow) passengers further up the plane sorted through their luggage I listened to a tirade about vet bills, horses never making it to the track, others breaking down, and trainers that never told you what was happening.

I smiled empathetically ... then opened the box and showed him the photo.

There was a moment of silence.

"It doesn't get much better than that you know," I offered helpfully. "Maybe you should try it again? Sounds like you just had a really unfortunate run of bad luck."

Meanwhile DOUG LESMERISES writing for the News Journal would also appear to be on a realist pitch given his article "So, you want to own a thoroughbred? Here's a tip: Find expendable cash and be prepared to lose it".

Whilst he (reluctantly) quotes a few enthusiastic owners/trainers he seems to rather enjoy detailing the other side of the coin as well:

"Here's what's less of a thrill. Veterinarian bills. The rate paid to your trainer, which can run from $42 to $70 a day. Injuries that keep your horse off the track, but don't stop him from eating.

Though $5,000 or $10,000 can get you a thoroughbred that knows how to run, owning a horse goes way beyond buying a horse. It can't eat the grass in your back yard or gallop up and down your driveway.

Several veteran trainers estimated that a year's upkeep on one horse - room, board, training - costs $18,000 to $25,000. That's whether the horse wins every race or trips coming out of the gate.

You can own a horse by yourself, with some pals or as part of a horse-racing syndicate that will sell you what one owner calls "the tip of the nose." Some ownership groups comprise hundreds of owners. But if you want to own, you have to be prepared for one thing, regardless of those Afleet Alex visions dancing in your head.

You have to be prepared to lose - races and money".

Despite the bucket of cold water, the writer does conclude his epic with the story of Afleet Alex and the "powerball win" that has accompanied that horse's prize money to date.

Realists beware.

For the rest of you - the full article is at the following URL.

Betfair was clever in retrospect. It went after an Australian State that has a noticeable chip on its shoulder for being a ferry ride from the Mainland, suffers from more rain than Melbourne (I just ducked!!), has a dubious historical distinction as the home of "that" convict settlement and (oddly) seems to be spoken of in the same breath as a particular mass murderer (even though every other State has miles more of them).

It was of little surprise then to see Betfair target Tasmania as its port of entry to Australia. It was of even less surprise to see the Mainland cousins glare threateningly at the renegade family member and threaten all number of sanctions if their rules were not adhered to.

But, as much as the Racing Clubs scowl and swear, I can tell you this much - Betfair looks likely to get a foothold in Australia. Tasmania suddenly has a chance to protect its racing industry - and generate some profits at the same time. Betfair will give the government a racing product fee based on the gross profits generated from Australian horse racing, paid irrespective of where the punter is based. The Government wants a tax rate based on the gross profits generated on all Australasian events (before GST, for which Betfair will be responsible), paid irrespective of where the punter is based. It also wants a guarantee for the next five years that the Tasmanian racing industry's funding grows at least in line with inflation. If payments prove insufficient, Betfair will pay a top-up fee. The Government also wants an upfront payment.

The Premier has said the Betfair model suits Tasmanian racing, which has a poor financial stream.

Tasmanian racing could be $26 million better off in just three years if it grants a licence to Betfair, according to estimates.

And the other States wonder why the "other" cousin is being recalcitrant when they tell it to come into line?!

MONTJEU

Please don't anyone be so cruel as to ring Windsor Park and tell them Montjeu has sired yet another G1 winner ... Scorpion being the latest 3yo to assume G1 status (the sire's fourth from his first crop). Scorpion won the Juddmonte Grand Prix De Paris over 2400m on the weekend (and in doing so toppled Peintre Celebre's course record set in the 1997 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe) winning in a time of 2.24.30.)

The question now is whether two sons of Montjeu - Scorpion and Epsom Derby winner Motivator - will line up to contest the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in October.

SINNDAR

Sinndar's first crop of 3 yo's has also produced a classic winner - the Aga Kan owned Shawanda securing victory by a facile 5 lengths (eased up before the post by jockey Soumillon) in yesterday's G1 Irish Oaks at the Curragh.

GALILEO

Crikey, you'll want to duck to avoid the superlatives when the Coolmore news hits the in-tray later this week. Galileo notched the all important "sire" title when Heliostatic became the stallion's first winner overnight - a seven furlong maiden at the Curragh the prize. One small maiden victory for a horse ... one huge PR step for Coolmore. Please don't tell me I didn't warn you!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

UPDATE 20 July 2005

The Coolmore newsletter arrived today...

"It’s written in the stars, make no mistake about it. First – that Sadler’s Wells, most accomplished sire in thoroughbred breeding history, will leave a number of champion sire sons. Second, that one son in particular — his best bred, best-looking and arguably most talented — stands poised to streak across the breeding firmament... GALILEO is that ‘best-bred, best looking and arguably most talented’ son of Sadler’s Wells to whom we referred earlier..."

(grinning!)

Disappointing news in today's Thoroughbred Times. The Thoroughbred Championship Tour, a proposed $25-million venture that would have linked major stakes leading up to the Breeders’ Cup World Thoroughbred Championships has been scrapped.

"TOBA proposed the tour in 2002, and the venture was incorporated a year later, with owner-breeder Robert McNair as chairman and TOBA President Dan Metzger as chief executive officer. Tour organizers reached agreements in June to work with Breeders’ Cup Ltd. and the New York Racing Association, but they failed to reach formal agreements with the National Thoroughbred Racing Association or any other major racetrack group. Metzger declined on Friday to say how much money was spent on the venture".

Full story at the following URL.

It doesn't have to be your own horse either - the following series of photos are of a group of race fans at Morphetville (4 of whom own horses in Melbourne). The expressions (from quiet tension to complete euphoria) when the horse on screen (Doomben) came in at sizeable odds were the perfect advertisement for the sport!

Photo: Freestyle wins the Elvstroem Dequetteville Stakes (L) at Morphetville.

It would have been a good day to start a fractious 2 year old. A Saturday city race meeting, the inducement of a listed race on the card, yet you would have had more chance of being run down by the strong westerly or the silence rather than an exuberant Morphetville race fan.

Having spent the better part of 15 hours travelling from Hong Kong to Adelaide it’s fair to say that I was somewhat taken aback at the ghost town turnout. Still, the air smelt great (as only Australian air can after the smog “at home”), it was approximately 20 degrees cooler than the sweltering city I had left the previous day, and the almost deserted dining room wasn’t too bad as it meant we had the undivided attention of six waiting staff.

I did however feel sorry for Blue Gum Farm. They were sponsoring the main race – the Elvstroem Dequetteville Stakes over 1,050m. One wonders how sponsors get the necessary profile (and ROI) when they are handing out a trophy with a dearth of owners or spectators present, and the sheer number of races happening on any one day in Australia mean that as soon as one race finishes the commentator is silenced mid sentence, and any lingering glance at the sponsor’s logo surrounding the winning post merges into the blur of all the others that will be highlighted on the same day.

Anyway, I digress. The purpose of my cross-country air trip had naught to do with marketing (for once) but rather with an unusual triumvirate of fillies. All were blood relations, two had travelled from Victoria to compete, and two would face one another in the feature race.

So what’s the connection?

Back in 1997 an unraced Mister C mare with a blue collar pedigree by the name of PATRONELLA was purchased by Rob McBryde of Summerset Park (South Australia) at the Easter Broodmare sale for the handy sum of $19,000. The mare has since produced 5 winners including the black type winners Stella Artois (dual listed winner) and Smytzer’s Trish (G2 and listed winner). As broodmares the full sisters would also produce two very smart fillies (their first foals no less): Stella Artois producing an early season star in the Phillip Stokes-trained FREESTYLE, and Smytzer’s Trish producing the smart Redoute’s Choice 2yo SWISH TRISH trained by Ross McDonald at Caulfield.

And today the 2 year olds would meet face-to-face in the feature race. This in itself isn’t ground breaking. Quite a few blood relatives will end up at the races on the same day. What made this unusual is that the foundation dam – Patronella - had another starter in the second race at Morphetville as well – the Victorian-based Peter Moody trained 3yo Xaar filly XAARBARELLA who had won her previous start at Bendigo 2 weeks earlier by 4.5 lengths.

Now, I’m sure there are a few people thinking “hang on one sec – why is this person flying halfway around the world to watch 3 horses race that she has utterly no connection with? Hasn’t she heard of the television?”

Good point (not that we get the Australian races on TV in Hong Kong – we’re stuck listening to them on the Internet). I actually have to declare a conflict – I bought into this family some years ago now and part-own Xaarbarella. It was this fact – further sweetened by the appearance of Freestyle and Swish Trish – that had me heading south.

Now, if I had entertained a notion at any stage during the fifteen hours it took me to get to Adelaide that maybe I would be arguing with my co-owners about who got first rights to the trophy I was, sady, mistaken. Despite travelling beautifully to the turn, Bella had a one-paced approach in the straight and finished 5th.

Fortunately Patronella's contribution to the Australian breeding industry wasn’t to be so quickly dismissed. Her deep-chested, muscle bound (and pint sized) grand daughter Freestyle set things right in the 6th race, fighting home for her 3rd win at stakes level, her (also somewhat pint sized) other grand daughter 5 lengths back. Peter and Trish Carrick, joint owners of Swish Trish (hence the filly’s name) were disappointed but philosophical in defeat.

“That’s racing! There’s always next time.”

Indeed. Not much else you can say really (become an owner = becoming stoic).

Still, let's face it, I would’ve liked to have been having that discussion about the trophy … !

(Images: halfway down - Freestyle returning to scale after her win (right); Swish Trish and strapper (left) and Xaarbarella (in blue/white silks). All photos (c) Athlone & Associates Ltd 2005)

She's got guts this little girl - she is TINY (see photo below with her strapper ... who isn't 6 ft 4" ...) but she is a ball of muscle and has a chest that most colts would envy!

John Schell reports in today's Age that Makybe Diva's top ranking on the official Australia-New Zealand classifications (set to be released at the end of this month) "has paved the way for the dual Melbourne Cup-winning mare to be recognised as one of the world's best 50 gallopers".

It is likely that Australia will have six or seven horses in the top 50 (Grand Armee, Makybe Diva, Starcraft, Fastnet Rock, Mummify, Elvstroem and possibly Savabeel) which is an excellent achievement.

The full story can be found at the following URL.

All marketers (bless them!) can put insomniacs to sleep outlining the intricacies of event management. Getting clients - then retaining them - requires considerable effort (and expense) and inevitably involves a client event programme to reward clients for their loyalty plus keep your company name high on their radar.

Picking the "right" event is a case of intimately understanding your clients (by gender, income, geographical location, interests) and knowing what will appeal to them (and it's fair to say that increasingly [sadly?!] that isn't always a day at the races). The choice of an event also says a lot about the type of clients a company is courting/working with. They are also a fabulous tool for competitor analysis (for those that aren't doing it ...).

With this in mind our company received an interesting email from one of the Australian syndication companies today. It wasn't a free invite - rather, it was the promotion of an event where an athlete was being sponsored by the syndication company (obviously the company has seen this alternative sport as one that sources a number of potential owners). The evening will, however, provide existing owners with a chance to rub shoulders with each other and, of course, the syndicaters of the famous filly who I note ran a good time in her dirt trial in America the other day.

Hi all,

We are currently getting expressions of interest to join us on a table/s for Daniel Geales upcoming title fight

He fights Josh Clenshaw for the Australian Middleweight Title on Sept 16th @ Blacktown RSL NSW

7pm kick off, or should that be box on!

Tables of 10 should be $2000 ($200 p/h) Inc beer wine 3 course dinner etc but will confirm in due course

Should be a great night and we welcome your support of the Slade Bloodstock sponsored Daniel Geale on the night. Also a great opportunity to network.

Email or phone me to book your place. (All details to be confirmed closer to the date).

Let's go back to something I said earlier though: Picking the "right" event is a case of intimately understanding your clients.

What made this email noteworthy was the question of "understanding an audience". I appreciate it was a good chance to flag the sponsorship point with their database but if anything it was interesting as:

1. We're not Slade clients
2. I live about 8,000kms from Sydney; and
3. I am about as likely to attend a title fight as I would be to cross a 10-lane freeway during a Formula One time trial!

There's no doubting that it was a very kind offer - but it was perhaps not that beneficial. It also demonstrates little understanding of the people on a mailing list. Detailed data analysis and the introduction of a client relationship management programme will ensure these types of emails are sent to the right contacts - and maximise their effectiveness.

William Inglis & Sons Group Marketing Manager Melissa O’Gorman will be leaving her role at the auction house to assist her partner Mathew Smith at his Warwick Farm training stables. It's quite an interesting development from the family perspective as Melissa's sister Melanie also plays an integral role in a racing stable - supporting husband Tim Martin at Rosehill.

Melissa was responsible for advertising, event management, media liaison, group communications, and online marketing. She was also instrumental in developing the expanding Japanese market for Australian bloodstock with Inglis. She worked for Inglis for 5 years.

The auction house have yet to announce Melissa's replacement.

In other employment news today's Breeding & Racing Daily News reported that Lindsay Park Stud is set to welcome a third generation of the Hayes family to the helm next month. Sam Hayes, 29, to become Managing Director; David Hayes (recently returned to Australia after 10 years training in Hong Kong) to focus on the racing stable.

Sam joined Lindsay Park in the role of Marketing Manager following the death of his father and David's brother Peter in 2001.

Along with his role at Lindsay Park, Sam has also been actively involved in reshaping the Adelaide Magic Millions Carnival in his role as chairman, where he has worked closely with TRSA, the SAJC and the South Australian Government.

Photo: David Hayes 2005. (c) Athlone & Associates Ltd.

We're supporting Patrick's standings for the current US season but on a wider scale if you are interested in global standings then the following might be of some interest:

CLASSIC DIVISION (as at July 11)

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Saint Liam 102

2. Afleet Alex 100

3. Roses in May 83

4. Rock Hard Ten 61

5. Offlee Wild 42

6. Lava Man 36

7. Southern Image 32

8. Bellamy Road 30

9. Pollard's Vision 24

10. Surf Cat 11

TURF DIVISION

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Kitten's Joy 102

2. Better Talk Now 71

3. Motivator (GB) 70

4. Hurricane Run (IRE) 54

5. Good Reward 41

6. Azamour (IRE) 31

7. Bago (FR) 27

8. Grey Swallow (IRE) 22

9. Request for Parole 20

9. Powerscourt (GB) 20

DISTAFF DIVISION

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Ashado 105

2. Society Selection 89

3. Round Pond 61

4. Andujar 59

5. Smuggler 41

6. Sis City 39

7. Splendid Blended 38

8. Stellar Jayne 37

9. Summerly 31

10. Madcap Escapade 21

SPRINT DIVISION

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Lost in the Fog 97

2. Saratoga County 95

3. Forest Danger 59

4. Woke Up Dreamin 56

5. Pico Central (BRZ) 55

6. Egg Head 46

7. Don Six 32

8. Madcap Escapade 27

9. Commentator 24

10. Unfurl the Flag 19

MILE DIVISION

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Divine Proportions 77

2. Artie Schiller 75

3. Castledale (IRE) 67

4. Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) 63

5. Singletary 57

6. Dubawi (IRE) 48

7. Rakti (GB) 31

8. Valixir (IRE) 22

9. Mr. Light (ARG) 19

10. Good Reward 14

FILLY & MARE TURF DIVISION

Rk. Horse Pts

1. Megahertz (GB) 94

2. Divine Proportions 62

3. Wend 57

3. Ouija Board (GB) 57

5. Cesario (JPN) 49

6. Intercontinental (GB) 48

7. Wonder Again 39

8. Film Maker 37

9. Alexander Goldrun (IRE) 36

10. Eswarah (GB) 25

An 11-man panel will rank active and in-training horses, regardless of geographic location. Each ballot is calculated on a 10-through-1 point basis. Polls will be released weekly through October 10. Polls for Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile Divisions will begin in September.

The voter panel: John Avello, Ballys Las Vegas; Simon Clare, Coral Racing (U.K.); David Gutfreund, racing commentator and handicapper; Brad Free, Daily Racing Form; David Hood, William Hill Sports Book (U.K.); Tom Law, Thoroughbred Times; Dan Liebman, The Blood-Horse; Jim Mazur, author and handicapper; Ellis Starr, Equibase; Tom Quigley, Horseplayer magazine and Mike Watchmaker, Daily Racing Form.

Source: The Ledger.

A wonderful boost for the Tasmanian breeding industry with news that G1-winning sprinter My Lad (ARG), a horse bred on similar lines to the successful young sire More Than Ready (USA) will stand this season at Grenville Stud for a fee of $4400.

My Lad won nine of his 13 starts (1100m-1400m) and is by Southern Halo (USA), eight times Champion Sire of Argentina, and the sire of a stallion causing more than a few stud owners to be looking for stallions bred on similar lines - More than Ready (USA).

Right - let's take a look at a couple of brochures that have crossed my desk in recent weeks (and apologies to Collingrove for the following scans looking a tad 'wave-like' - we have had one of the wettest summers on record and I, um, left the window open when I went into the office ... enough said).

The Stud has adopted a new tag line this year whilst retaining the clean lines of last year's brochure. It's quite interesting to see the inclusion of the word 'integrity' given the push on this in the Industry in recent times.

What is quite unique about the brochure is that a humorous element has been incorporated - Dash for Cash and Jeune both feature in these relaxed images/comments. The jury is still out whether this detracts from the more classic lines of the remainder of the material - Collingrove has such a top class head of marketing that I will trust her judgment even if it isn't something that I would have automatically adopted. Ultimately it IS a differentiator and that is key in a sea of very "same old" material that I have seen from a huge number of other farms this year.

Collingrove is also offering the Emirates competition again this year. Further deals on their website.


The design company who received the project brief was Rojay.

The Arrowfield 2005 stud brochure is, quite simply, superb. It incorporates a unique interplay of contemporary and traditional images, black and white as well as colour photographs, and the design company who had the brief - Boheem Design - has certainly laid out the text in an eye catching manner (probably not as cleanly as I would prefer - but there are a lot of stallions and only so many pages so I understand the dilemma). A few photographs blend into the Darley 'aesthetic' category but that can hardly be a criticism as I love that approach to capturing the essence of these magnificent animals.

There is one problem however. The Forward states (inter alia):

“You may have noted that given the fierce competition from the foreign-owned farms in 2004, we have had to abandon our limited stallion books policy on some stallions. While we regarded our previous limit of 120 mares per stallion to be in the best interests of our clients and of the industry, this view is not shared by our competitors. This has forced us to reassess this policy at this time. Having said that, we continue to believe that a more disciplined approach to stallion book sizes would be a desirable objective for our industry”.

Since when did the interests of the competition override the best interests of clients and the Industry? Redoute's Choice also served a record number of mares in Australia last year. To say that this was a case of "a hand being forced" strikes me as a dubious claim at best.

You make history by being able to differentiate yourself not by being a sheep. As Chairman of Aushorse, owning one of Australia's leading studs, standing the country's most sought after (and expensive) stallion, and just in the power he wields generally, Messara is the perfect person to stand up and say “we won't do it”.

Alas we live in commercial times dictated by growth targets - rather than ones where our mothers used to sternly say "If your friend jumped off that bridge would YOU do it?" [and we would hastily say "NO!"].

The magic word is “profit”.

I was somewhat amused to read the comment: “while the shuttle concept has given us the incomparable Danehill, not many other shuttlers have emerged that have been superior to the local contingent. I believe that the very future of the shuttle rests on the success of Fusaichi Pegasus et al and should they fail to reach the top of the leader boards in this country, Australian breeders will revert in droves back to the proven local formula.”

It's a non too subtle dig at the competition (nothing like some performance anxiety for the Fu Peg followers!) but a potentially shifty surface given relative performances of Fuji Kiseki and End Sweep (and I own a rising 3yo End Sweep filly so am well acquainted with shuttle sires not living up to expectations) and now Hussonet, Falbrav, Orientate and French Deputy being on the roster.

Ultimately however, I do not see the connection between what Darley and Coolmore (and co.) may be doing on the one hand and what Arrowfield wants to do on the other. So what if the other studs are serving big books? If a stud master genuinely believes that limited books are better for the stallions and the industry, what is stopping him from adhering to that belief? His clients would (no doubt) prefer smaller books. The prices of his stallions' stock should rise in accordance with ordinary economic principles of supply and demand.

Despite that, the rest of the brochure is well worth the read...

The International Olympic Committee has announced that Hong Kong will stage the 2008 Equestrian events. The agreement finalizes Beijing's push to have the equestrian competition moved the 2,000km to Hong Kong, which is free of equine diseases common on the Chinese mainland.

Now we just have to figure out how to offset the August heat and humidity on the horses ... ideas anyone?!

(and because I can't resist - despite the fact that the quote I am about to use is quite obviously a victim of the nuances of cultural differences - an article in last week's South China Morning Post quoted Hong Kong Secretary for Home Affairs Patrick Ho Chiping who, when commenting on the planned relocation stated: "This is for the interest of all Hong Kong people as their spirit in sports would increase, which would then realize the spirit of the Olympics. This is to put gold on Hong Kong's face.")

Last Friday's Thoroughbred Daily News carried news of the Darley Flying Start Graduation Day.

"Two years ago, 12 students set out on a journey that traversed five countries and covered just about every aspect of the Thoroughbred industry. All 12 stayed the course, graduating in a ceremony at Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England yesterday.

"Darley Flying Start, the brainchild of Sheikh Mohammed, kicked off with a four-month stay in Ireland and England. After a Christmas break, the students traveled to the U.S. and spent six months in Kentucky. A summer holiday was followed by four months in Australia. The Darley dozen headed to Dubai at the beginning of 2005, spending more than three months in Sheikh Mohammed’s home country, then returned to Ireland for the last three months of the program. The subjects covered ranged from horsemanship and stud management, to pedigree analysis and information technology, to insurance, marketing and advertising."

Great news for former Sydney lawyer Stuart Boman who was not only part of the inaugural intake - but has secured a role at Arrowfield Stud in the Hunter Valley.

Auckland Racing Club director Alistair Sutherland has been elected to the position of northern regional director on the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

Sutherland was appointed to the Board during the year to replace Rob McAnulty who had resigned.

Sutherland's appointment was challenged by Stephen Cole of the Counties Racing Club but in a landslide victory Sutherland attracted 104 votes compared to Cole's 10.

Sutherland has had a lifelong involvement in the New Zealand racing industry. In addition to his racing commitments he has supported a blue chip corporate career and now owns and directs a number of companies.

He has raced a number of quality horses over the years and has introduced many new owners into the Industry. Some of his best performers include G1 winner Iflooxcouldkill and current season performers (both 2 yo's by NZ stallion Howbaddouwantit) Howmuchyachargin (G1 placed) and I'm Insatiable who won her first start on 4 June.

Massie Lodge is a boutique agistment property in Queensland that first came onto my radar back in late 2003 when I was researching (of all things) company tag lines. Joint-proprietor HELEN McDONALD has since become a very good friend - Helen's understanding of the importance of sterling client communication is on par with most of the largest stud farms in Australia. She also hosts one of Australia's only thoroughbred-related blogs on the Massie Lodge site; it's well worth a visit.

Helen has kindly stepped up to the mark and authored this evening's guest 'blog post'.

Over to Helen ...

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Living out on a thoroughbred agistment property on the South East Queensland Darling Downs has presented us with an idyllic lifestyle which is a real sea change from our corporate past life. Because of where we live, we are offered the best technology that this millennium offers, i.e. tank water that is sent in plentiful supplies from the heavens above, a state of the art internet connection (2 IXL Raspberry Jam tins with baling twine - well, there are two computers, so we need 2 jam tins!). We have door-to-door waste pickup that our council doesn't charge us for. No expense has been spared to make sure that people living in rural areas have the best that is on offer.

OK, yes I do jest. We actually don't have 2 IXL Raspberry Jam tins connecting our computers to the Internet. We have actually been brought into the age of dial-up and can actually muster 35kps on a clear night. Ok, you got me again! The garbage service - my husband Evan's ute to the Allora tip. Ok, ok (boy the pressure is on now!), the water does come from the heavens, but I am not sure about the plentiful supply bit.

We really haven't been forgotten I guess. Not true!

An issue that does seem to have slipped through the crack is the fact that people living in the rural areas of Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria are denied access to TV coverage of all racing in Sydney and Victoria.

What does that mean when you run an Internet Bloodstock Agency and a client wants you to value a horse running in the 5th at Rosehill? Not very much I am afraid. It means that we are served up a programme of cold leftovers and the Victorian Provincial Trots on a Wednesday afternoon!

YES! The letters have been sent to the ACCC, to Local and Federal Members, The Shadow Ministers and to the Premier's Department in each State - no one has been missed. The result? Nothing. I have never seen so much finger pointing and buckpassing in all my life.

So much for the voice of the people. So whose fault is this mess? It doesn't matter. What does matter is that the people living in the regional areas of New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland are denied a basic access and will not see the Sydney and Melbourne Spring carnivals in their living rooms.

I sit here at my computer and look over the monitor to see our yearlings frolicking and mucking around in their paddock and you know what? I wouldn't exchange my Jam Tins for anything.

Helen McDonald

www.massielodge.com
www.gallopers.com.au

A MarketingVOX report suggests that it is best to keep ads and editorial separate.

Reporting on a BtoB Online Study, the writers say that readers best remember sponsorship ads placed in the middle of online newspaper stories ... but those ads also annoy readers the most.

Attitudes toward sponsors that placed ads at the end of a story were the most positive, according to the study.

A muted tone to this evening's posts given I am still anxiously awaiting news from London that my business colleagues are safe after this morning's bomb blasts. I'm actually feeling a tad guilty - our Thursday teleconference didn't take place at its scheduled time of 4.30pm HK time and I just thought "oh that's good - London are busy - that gives me an hour to do something else".

Little did I know ...

We're thinking of you all.

Those new races that the Magic Millions are offering are certainly impressive aren't they?

(Note also that Magic Millions never announce these initiatives prior to a major sale - they let the sale PR carry itself for the desired period and retain these gems for the 'off season' [as it were] to ensure they stay front and centre of the media's attention - it's VERY, VERY good PR.)

A source (who shall, at their request, remain anonymous) alerted me to an interesting fact concerning the new races:

"The $100,000 Maiden Trophy will be the richest in the world and has also never been attempted before ... a stewards nightmare - but still a great new initiative".

Magic Millions will certainly be celebrating their 21st birthday in fine style next January - the entire Gold Coast raceday is open only to MM sales graduates with $3 Million of the Race Series prizemoney on offer.

The entire Magic Millions Race Series is now worth $4.05 Million.

Cyberhorse webmaster Bill Saunders is someone with whom I share a number of similar views. I enjoyed the article he wrote today that called for some sense in this ludicrous TabCorp and TVN debacle - particularly as I too recognize the role that technology plays in enticing the next generation of punters - and indeed owners (anyone ever wonder why horse sales are now broadcast over the Internet??) to the table.

Titled "Can someone please show some leadership?" the undertone of frustration within the article at the tunnel vision of those wishing to protect their existing positions is completely understandable.

"Instead of demonising them, how much better off could racing be if it explored co-operative ways that corporate bookmakers (and even heaven forbid Betfair), could help racing to attract today's technology savvy young punters? Their life choices are still being formed. The lifetime value of such fans is incalculable but racing seems incapable of understanding this."

Bills's article can be read at the following URL.

Meanwhile, whilst the rest of us sit and wait ... and wait .. for some sort of sense to prevail, I'm tempted to adopt drastic measures and send both sides into the desert for an extended period (I might also send Qld Racing and the various journalists currently baiting them as well - I've been sick of that separate [and rather tiresome] war for over a year now).

Thanks Bill, for having (as always) the guts to take a stand on the issue.

Susan Archer reports the latest Council elections for the New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association ("NZTBA"):

Peter Francis (Auckland Branch) has been elected as the new President. Mark Chitty (Auckland Branch) remains Vice President.

Two new members have replaced retiring members Nelson Schick (Northern Region) and Mick Ormond (Central Region). They are Waikato member Paul Smithies and Duncan Fell from the Central Districts. Immediate Past President Peter Hutt has been appointed as the NZTBA’s Director on the Board of New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.

The Council now comprises:

Northern Region: Mark Chittick, Mark Chitty, Peter Francis, John Thompson and Paul Smithies

Central Region: Duncan Fell, Bruce Perry, and Sam Williams

South Island: Ray Dennis and Peter Hutt

Studmaster Branch: Brent Taylor

Last week we mentioned a new 'US standings system' developed by Patrick Patten.

Patrick updates the standings on a weekly basis and the latest results are now in (see left hand column). Patrick has adopted the * symbol to denote a horse leading without a Grade I win. He also explains that the fractional points are due to 3yo's taking on older horses or fillies contesting colts (1.5X points for fillies vs colts and 1.25X points for a younger horse taking on an older horse).

Of note, the majority of thoroughbred racing blogs are carrying the standings.

An interesting article that will appeal to those of you involved in PR appears in the latest edition of MarketingProfs.com.

Written by Harry Hoover (managing principal of Hoover ink PR) the article looks at the changing nature of research and how today's press releases can double their effect by being usefully tailored to the increasing number of people researching information on the Web (not just in the traditional media).

"Consider this: both journalists and consumers use the Web for research. More than 550 million searches are done daily via the Web. And, every month, US Web users conduct 27 million searches at Yahoo News, Google News or other news search engines. Also, according to recent surveys by Middleberg/Ross and the Pew Internet Project:

98% of journalists go online daily.

92% do it for article research.

76% to find new sources and experts.

73% to find press releases.

68 million Americans go online daily.

30% use a search engine to find information.

27% go online to get news.

You need to think differently about writing your releases in this new age. You can extend the power of your press releases beyond the media by positioning them for search engines. In effect, your press releases become a long-lasting, online, searchable database about your organization."

It's a very useful article (as most articles are from the MarketingProfs.com site). The URL for the story can be sourced by clicking here.

Magic Millions has also just released details of new races to be added to the 2005/6 series (these are in addition to existing MM race
fixtures):

For 2YO's:

$100,000 Strawberry Hill 2YO Slipper - WYONG - Thursday 8th December 2005

$100,000 Magic Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic - LAUNCESTON - No Date set at this time

$100,000 Magic Millions Toowoomba 2YO Trophy - TOOWOOMBA - Friday 25th November 2005

$100,000 Magic Millions 2YO Consolation - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

3YO & UP RACES

$200,000 Magic Millions Open Sprint - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

$100,000 Magic Millions Stayers Cup - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

$100,000 Magic Millions Fillies and Mares - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

$100,000 Magic Millions Maiden Trophy - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

Magic Millions just keep on competing; in comparison the other auction companies race series simply pale into insignificance.

Why are blogs such successful PR tools? How do they increase your rankings in search engines? Why do so many people read them? How can you use a blog to create an online community and (yes, it's true) generate business?

We've just completed a comprehensive 30+ page report on the use of blogs that will tell you everything you ever wanted to know about the technology. The report isn't free BUT the good news is that a 6-page case study (that forms part of the report) analysing the role of blogs as part of a dedicated PR campaign is free.

The case study looks at how 2 inexpensive (albeit time consuming - and at times emotionally draining!) blogs and a minimal marketing budget were instrumental in both raising the profile of, and generating a significant amount of work for, a small business.

The blogging case study is unique in the fact that it is the only one available that focuses on a company that works within the thoroughbred industry.

The case study can be accessed by clicking here.

Magic Millions has also just released details of new races to be added to the 2005/6 series (these are in addition to existing MM race fixtures):

For 2YO's:

Strawberry Hill 2YO Slipper - WYONG - Thursday 8th December 2005

Millions Tasmanian 2YO Classic - LAUNCESTON - No Date set at this time

Magic Millions Toowoomba 2YO Trophy - TOOWOOMBA - Friday 25th November 2005

Magic Millions 2YO Consolation - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

3YO & UP RACES

Magic Millions Open Sprint - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

Magic Millions Stayers Cup - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

Magic Millions Fillies and Mares - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

Magic Millions Maiden Trophy - GOLD COAST - Saturday 14th January 2006

Magic Millions just keep on competing; in comparison the other auction companies race series simply pale into insignificance.

Thoroughbred Marketing Queensland will host a Stallion Expo at the Magic Millions Sales Complex, Bundall on Sunday 10th July 2005. Gates will open at 10am and parade commences at 11am.

31 Queensland stallions will be showcased. First season stallions on parade include: STROMBERG CARLSON (Redoute's Choice), TYCOON RULER (Last Tycoon) and ANOTHER WARRIOR (Brave Warrior), KIWI WARRIOR (Brave Warrior), SHADOW CREEK (Zabeel (NZ)).

Relocations to Queensland on parade include: DANETREE (Danehill (USA), FELIX THE CAT (USA) (Storm Cat (USA)), SPRINGSTEEN (Danehill (USA), WEST POINT (Danehill (USA)), YES BOSS (Marscay).

Present season stallions ADMIRALTY (USA) (Strawberry Road), ADVENTUROUS (Fairy King (USA)), ANGLIA (Octagonal (NZ)), BIG JESSE (Danehill (USA)), CENTRO (Century), COPETON (Danehill (USA)), DIAMOND FUELLED (Clang), DUST IN THE WIND (Sir Tristram (IRE)), KBENJAR (St Covet), KING IVOR (Fairy King (USA)), LATARMISS (IRE) (Sadler's Wells (USA)), MARKANE (Red Ransom (USA)), MY JOY (Danehill (USA)), NATURAL ACT (Sadler's Wells (USA)), OMBRA DELLA SERA (Brave Warrior), PRIVATE AGENDA (Octagonal (NZ)), RAIN GAUGE (Kenvain), RANDWICK (USA) (Nureyev (USA)), ROCK OF CASHEL (IRE) (Danehill (USA)), ROMEO OF BOYLAND (Stride Easy (NZ)), STORM OF INDYA (USA) (A.P.Indy (USA)), SWORN TO ACTION (Brave Warrior) and WURABINDA (Grand Lodge (USA)) on parade.

Industry trade exhibitors will be on display, refreshments will be available on the day and a sausage sizzle will be conducted with proceeds going to the Paula Lane Charity Fund.

Source: Magic Millions Press Release

Racing NSW Country is currently calling on nominations for the 2005 Racing NSW Country Awards for Excellence.

Categories include:

TAB Race Club Award
Community Race Club Award
Best Innovation by a Country Race Club
Most Popular Feature Country Race Meeting Award
Media Award
Country Apprentice Jockey Award
Country Trainer Award (for country-based trainers only)
Country Jockey Award (for country-based jockeys only)
Country Trained Horse Award (for country-trained horses only)
Simon Nivison Special Achievement Award.

If you feel that a person, horse or organisation deserves to be nominated in one of the Award categories for their achievements in Country Racing during the 2004-2005 season, please do not hesitate to nominate them.

Nominations close on Friday, 12th August 2005 with the winners announced at the Racing NSW Country Awards for Excellence at Randwick Racecourse on Friday 30th September.

Past winners include Takeover Target (Country-Trained Horse), Greg Ryan (Country Jockey), Craig Martin (Country Trainer), Mr Graham McNeice (Media Award), Albury Gold Cup Carnival (Most Popular Feature Meeting), Talmoi Amateur Picnic Race Club - Great Heritage Train Ride (Best innovation by a Country Club) and Murrumbidgee Turf Club (Face of the Carnival promotion).

Source: RacingNSW Latest News

It's worth picking up on a story that appeared in The Virtual Formguide last week. It relates to the stallion tender scheme run by the Tamworth Jockey Club. This year nominations to 79 sires are available: 38 NSW stallions, 23 Qld sires, and 18 Victorian sires.

From a marketing perspective the benefits are as follows:

"Apart from extensively advertising the sires provided by studs for the scheme, the Tamworth Jockey Club promotes a special race, The Breeders' Gift, usually a $30,000 event for fillies and mares, in recognition of the support from the various donors.

In addition a special incentive this year is available to all successful tenderers with Harvey World Travel and the Club combining to offer a $1000 travel voucher to the winner of a draw. This can be used with any travel booked with Harvey World Travel."

An illustrated guide to available sires and/or booking forms can be obtained from the Tamworth Jockey Club tel +61 2 6765 9387, fax +61 2 6765 5369 or email tamjock@northnet.com.au. Note that tenders close on July 15.

Last week The Horse reported on "the most comprehensive study ever done on the horse industry in the United States".

The study, the first of its kind since 1996, was released on June 28. Referred to as "The Economic Impact of the Horse Industry in the United States" it was conducted by Deloitte Consulting LLC over a 12 month period and was commissioned by the American Horse Council Foundation with major funding support from the American Quarter Horse Association, The Jockey Club, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Breeders' Cup Limited, Keeneland Association, American Paint Horse Association, American Association of Equine Practitioners, U.S. Trotting Association, Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and the U.S. Equestrian Federation.

The study features extensive breakout information on about 15 states and is designed to demonstrate how the horse industry contributes significantly to the nation's economy and lifestyle.

Nationally, the study shows that the horse industry has a direct impact of $39 billion on the country's economy. About 2 million people nationwide own horses and another 2 million are involved in the industry as either volunteers or through a family affiliation, according to the study. There are 9.2 million horses in the United States with about 4 million used for recreation and 3 million participate in horse shows or other competition.

To give you some idea how detailed the study is at the State level, PRNewswire reported the following (analysing Texas data):

Texas Horse Industry Delivers $5.2 Billion Annually to State Economy

"The Texas horse industry contributes $3 billion in direct economic impact to the state's economy and generates close to $110 million in annual taxes according to a new study released today by the American Horse Council (AHC). The study also reveals the industry supports over 96,000 jobs and has an overall economic impact of $5.2 billion in Texas.

"In terms of total effect on the gross domestic product, California leads the way at $6.97 billion a year, followed by Texas at $5.23 billion and Florida at $5.15 billion".

Key industry statistics and economic indicators in the report include:

* Total economic impact of $5.2 billion by activity:
* $848 million from Racing
* $1.9 billion from Showing
* $1.5 billion from Recreation
* $898 million from other activities
* Estimated number of horses in Texas: 979,000
* Estimated number of horses by activity:
* 104,000 in Racing
* 311,000 in Showing
* 340,400 in Recreation
* 222,600 in other activities

Meanwhile The Sun Sentinel carried the following results for Florida:

"The horse industry has a $5.1 billion impact on Florida's economy, generating nearly 105,000 jobs a year. Based on information gathered in 2003, the study found half a million horses and 105,600 owners in Florida. More than half of the state's horses were thoroughbreds and quarter horses.

A majority of the economic impact - $1.3 billion - was attributed to horse racing. Show horses came in second with an $813 million impact, while horses used for recreation had a $633 million impact on the state. Other activities made up $298 million. The figures show a 25 percent increase over a similar 1996 study."

To access a summary of the national report, please go to the following URL.

Another Australian-based thoroughbred blog has come to light. Max Hitchens is "a self confessed Melbourne Cup addict" who also works in the hospitality industry.

Max runs the website www.TheMelbourneCup.com (how ON EARTH did he managed to secure that domain name is beyond me?!) and now also has a blog supporting it.

The blog contains articles, snippets and gossip to help people pick the winner of the 2005 Melbourne Cup.

Of interest, the blog also counts as a 'podcaster' i.e it contains audio files.

As reported in today's The Age:

"Police are trying to track down horse racing trophies stolen in Melbourne's CBD.

Around 70 trophies, packed in four plain cardboard boxes, went missing during loading into the back of a white HiAce van on the southern side of Collins Street, between Swanston and Elizabeth streets, in December last year.

The person loading the van went back into the building to collect further boxes and returned to find the four boxes missing, a police spokesman said.

Last week, police searched private and business premises in Carlton North and Ferntree Gully, but failed to find the trophies, the spokesman said.

A man aged in his 50s was arrested and charged with 16 counts of theft over the incident.

He was bailed by police to appear at the Melbourne Magistrates' Court at a date yet to be fixed.

A man and woman in their late 40s were also arrested and were likely to be charged on summons with receiving stolen goods from the man.

The trophies are collectively valued at about $5,000.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of the trophies is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000."

Now - I've heard of people picking and choosing their races in a bizarre attempt to fill an empty mantlepiece but this is ridiculous!

On the subject of trophies, how do syndicates deal with the arrival of a trophy in their midst? Does the syndicate manager get it? Does everyone take turns in "borrowing" it?

Personally I think war would be declared amongst my co-owners if trophies ever became involved with prizemoney. As nice as we all are (!) I somehow can't see everyone being content with the "now YOU can have the trophy for this 3 months - then Fred can have it - then Joe ... etc etc". By the time we had endured the agony of relatives only visiting in the times we DIDN'T have the trophy plus the cost of mailing the damn thing between the 3 different States/3 countries that we all live in over a period of years we may as well have just gone the extra few hundred dollars and had a few decent copies made in some back alley in Shenzhen.

Well, whatever the fate of the lost trophies in Victoria - I'm sure someone out there now has a lovely full mantlepiece - without paying a single cent for a yearling, enduring itemized vet bills, training expenses, and the constant creative accounting so your partner doesn't have to lie awake at night worrying (like you do) at how much the damn things cost to feed every month. Hmmm... better not let me near the thief when they're caught - I'll lynch them myself!

...and because the flu which has flattened me for the past week is starting to fade (and I am feeling somewhat mischievous again), I couldn't resist but post the following quote as a note to those people who twist and turn on swords of torture every day at the thought of bloggers being allowed free reign to publish on the Internet.

The quote will be of interest to non-sword twisting readers - and indeed a number of very wise, well read, and skilled writers that I can only hope to emulate in years to come - a number of whom I have been privileged to study the work of, or indeed meet, in the Australian racing industry.

"A new study about blogging and the media by Columbia University and Euro RSCG Magnet says that more than half of journalists use blogs to discover, research and report their stories. It's official: blogs now wield enormous influence on the creation of news and shaping of corporate reputations."

It's a good article that looks at how to manage the 'blog phenomenon' in terms of tracking what bloggers are saying about your company (as it can have an impact on your brand). It shows you what blog portals are best to track and how RSS feeds can assist you. You can read the article in full at the following URL. The author is Steve Hodgdon from PR Company BEAUPRE & Co.

Anyone heard of a stud farm called Jelle-Jac Farms?

(Good - me neither)

Well, just to show that I have no idea, the stud not only exists - at Ramsey's Road, Gundiah - but they will be the third stud to offer a son of Redoute's Choice this season.

The (very young) son of the Arrowfield sensation is unraced, (the still) 2yo having apparently been injured as a foal.

What he lacks in race performance he certainly makes up for on the pedigree page.

His first dam ANNOUNCE (by Military Plume) is the unraced half-sister to EMERALD DREAM, SPECIAL BOND, and Mancini. The 2nd dam THEME SONG (by Sackford) is a half-sister to DANEWIN, COMMANDS, Abbaye (dam of TAIMANA), Chalet Girl (dam of Monards) and is the dam of 7 named foals, 5 to race (all winners) including the G1 winner EMERALD DREAM (Danehill); listed winner SPECIAL BOND (Fairy King), and the stakes placed Mancini (Zephyr Zip). The third dam needs no introduction - COTEHELE HOUSE (by My Swanee) who is the half-sister to OCTAGONAL, DIAMOND LOVER (dam of DON EDUARDO, TRISTALOVE, PERUZZI, ANTWERP), KAAPSTAD, MARQUISE (dam of SHOWER OF ROSES), MOUAWAD, Nine Carat (dam of COURT OF JEWELS), La Brillante (dam of PHILIDOR) and is the dam of the G1 winner DANEWIN (Danehill), G3 winner COMMANDS (Danehill), and G2 winners IMPALER (Dracula) and TAIMANA (Woodman).

MASTEROFCEREMONIES is the half brother to the stakes placed SPECTRO POWER (98 g. by Spectrum) - winner of 8 in Singapore. His half-sister CASH FOR COMMENT raced only twice for (the now HK based) David Hall, winning her maiden by 2.3 lengths (she is currently in foal to Exceed and Excel). There is also an unraced 3yo full sister called OTRAVEZ with Mick Price at Caulfield. The mare has an Elusive Quality weanling and is also in foal to Exceed and Excel.

MASTEROFCEREMONIES will stand the 2005 season at a fee of $2,200. The email I received today said enquiries can be directed to Bill Kingsbury Tel: (07) 4129 3106/Mob: 0427 937 227 or Jim Martinek 0427 739 585/Phone/fax: (07) 5485 0855. Email: jim.martinek@freeuk.com



PS - I just had to look it up - Gundiah is near Gympie apparently i.e. "a bit of a hike".

There's a strong QLD flavour to this evening's posts ... apologies to the non-Qld contingent.

I thought it was worth mentioning another young stallion who will stand at Kelana Park (Beaudesert) this season.

SHADOW CREEK (Zabeel ex Abbaye) was trained by Lee Freedman and raced in the famous red and black colours of Gooree Stud. In just 6 starts he won twice (and was placed 3 times) over distances between 1000m - 1800m before being retired due to injury.

Whilst not succeeding at stakes level, the horse certainly has a black type pedigree. His sire, ZABEEL, has sired more than 90 stakes winners including OCTAGONAL. His dam -ABBAYE - is related to the other stallion I have profiled this evening MASTEROFCEREMONIES. ABBAYE is the dam of TAIMANA (G2 and listed winner), BEETHOVEN (winner of 5 and multi-million dollar winner in HK); and is a half-sister to the sires DANEWIN and COMMANDS; and a grand-daughter of EIGHT CARAT.

SHADOW CREEK is an imposing looking horse and his service fee for 2005 is a very reasonable $3,300 (incl. GST)

Enquiries to Rauri McLellan on 0417 535057 or Trevor Johnson on 0412 74 8289.

(I should start charging for all these free plugs!)

It's a constant challenge thinking of new ways to entertain clients without just serving up another dinner invite or a day at the races.

Last month I suggested to a few of my colleagues that we should leap into left field and host a video game evening at the new Hong Kong cinema complex that had a dedicated movie-sized screen for just that purpose.

"Video games?! Are you mad? Our clients aren't CHILDREN!" was one strenuously expressed view.

Indeed they're not. So here are some demographics about video game usage that may surprise you (stats. courtesy of the International Digital Software Association from their 2003 demographic survey):

- 60% of all Americans age six and older, or about 145 million people, play computer and video games.
- 37% of those people say they play games online, up from 31 percent in 2002 and 18 percent in 1999.
- The average age of a game player is 28 years old.
- 66% of most frequent game players are over 18 years old
- 26% of most frequent game players are between 18 and 35 years old;
- 40% of most frequent game players are over 35 years old
- 43% percent of game players are women.
- The vast majority of people who play do so with friends and family. (Almost 60% of frequent game players play with friends, 33% play with siblings, and about one-quarter play with their spouse and/or parents.)
- In 2002, over 221 million computer and video games were sold, or almost two games for every household in America.
- 56% of the most frequent computer and video game players have been playing games for six or more years, while 60% expect to be playing games as much or more ten years from now as they do today.

Interesting statistics indeed and even more so when a look at our client base shows the largest number of clients falling neatly within the 35 - 45 age group (which - in all fairness to the person angrily swatting at the idea - was somewhat different to his own 'bracket').

If at this point I wasn't convinced that video gaming had well and truly caught up with my generation then an exercise I was involved in last week well and truly sealed it. I was conducting some in-depth web analysis for a client to determine where his online traffic was coming from - and where it was going on to after it had left his site - and I was stunned (and there really is no better way of describing my response than that) to see the site Neopet featuring so heavily in the upstream/downstream results. I was actually so taken aback I rang the company that assists with the stats to ask if there had been an error. A few checks and the answer was 'apparently not'. A huge number of adults (and indeed, many of your clients) would appear to be spending a fair proportion of their time playing computer games that many may have thought were the sole domain of our children. (There will be some savvy advertisers laughing all the way to the bank with these results by the way).

Why should I not have been surprised then to see that a jockey who already boasts a restaurant, fast food line, and an autobiography -has also recognized the multiple dollar signs attached to the video gaming industry and has chosen to licence his name in a lucrative contract with Home Entertainment Suppliers Pty Ltd (HES) and Player One Limited for a new horseracing videogame called Frankie Dettori Racing for PS2, Xbox and PC.

The IGN.com Newswire states that Frankie Dettori Racing will include:

- World famous jockey and superstar Frankie Dettori
- Official licenses including access to Royal Ascot Race Course, the Emirates Melbourne Cup Race, Flemington Race Course, Classic Caulfield, The Caulfield Cup, and more
- Multiplayer online play for all platforms, allowing competitive and friendly play over the Internet
- Multiple game modes including Career Mode, Jockey Challenge and Betting Party
- In depth Career Mode including auctions, horse breeding, training, and stable management
- Highly detailed graphics including realistic horses and jockeys, weather effects, and accurately modelled Australian and international race courses.
- Lifelike horse and jockey animation, motion captured by Weta Digital, the VFX wizards behind The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy.

Frankie Dettori Racing is expected for release on PS2, Xbox and PC in Europe in November 2005 under Tru Blu Games, the publishing division of HES. The title will also be released in Australasia under the name "Melbourne Cup Challenge".

... meanwhile, whilst Frankie eyes the growing millions in his bank account courtesy of some swift thinking I still have to convince one of my business partners about the merits of this video night! Wish me luck!!

The Thoroughbred Times (online edition) had the headline: "Dunford prevails in disaster-marred Durban July in South Africa".

South Africa's biggest G1 race "the July" took place yesterday with a crowd of 50,000+ racegoers in attendance yet (surprisingly perhaps) a relatively muted spotlight from the world media (perhaps they were all still struggling to come to terms with the shock defeat of Motivator in the UK; Michael Tabor's Oratorio taking that surprise scalp in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes at Sandown).

The 2,200 m race was run in a slow time, the winner's triumph marred by the death of race favorite Rabiya (that broke a hind leg in the running and had to be euthanized) and second favorite Dunsinane pulling up lame.

Of note for the breeding enthusiasts - the sire of Dunford was none other than former Australian/Irish shuttler SHALFORD (I know - we're going back a few years now ...). Shalford has sired two other South African Group 1 winners: Dare To Dream and African Lion. In one of those rare coincidences in racing, African Lion was raced by the same owners as Dunford.

One suspects the owners of these two horses would be non too impressed with you if in a fit of Australian argumentativeness (and after a few glasses of South African wine) you decided to moot the idea that Shalford hadn't exactly set the breeding scene on fire during his time Down Under!

Meanwhile, if you're interested in knowing a bit more about the history of racing in South Africa I would suggest the following URL as a good starting point.

The Durban July falls within the KwaZulu-Natal Winter Racing Season. The season lasts for four months and approximately 400 horses from outside the province are based in the region for most of the period. The estimated economic benefit of the season is roughly estimated to be in excess of R200-million.

The economic impact of Vodacom Durban July Day alone has been the subject of a special investigation for the past few years.
The revenue generated last year by the Vodacom Durban July from visitors’ daily expenditure and from accommodation in the Durban Metro area is estimated to be in excess of R90-million. Although not included in the report, the event also generates the biggest betting spree in the country with tote and bookmaker turnover totalling more than R120-million last year.

The Report states "In terms of its impact on the economy of the region and of South Africa as a whole, it is undoubtedly the biggest and most successful single-day event in the country".

Source: MediaKit

You may enjoy the couch (not so sure about the 'potato' reference) but if you like your racing you'll find a few TV programmes of note in both Hemispheres over the coming months.

In the US the 'Road to The World Thoroughbred Championships Powered By Dodge' has returned to the ESPN Networks. This is a four-month, 15-program series, featuring 33 races in seven of the eight Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships divisions. The series concludes with a World Thoroughbred Championships special on October 28, the day before this year's Breeders' Cup at Belmont Park.

In Australia, “Giddy-Up” appears on Landline and will air coverage of the recent Magic Millions weanling and broodmare sale on ABC TV National and ABC2 on digital. The thirteen minute segment features the importance of emerging markets to the Queensland bloodstock industry.

It will highlight the projects Magic Millions Sales Pty Limited in-conjunction with Austrade and the Queensland Government have implemented to market horses and horse related products to Asian countries where racing and breeding is a major growth industry.

Feature interviewees include: Gerry Harvey and David Chester (Magic Millions Sales Pty Limited), and Queensland breeders Jeff Kruger (Lyndhurst Stud), Neville Stewart (Oaklands Stud), and Austrade and Queensland Government representatives.

Program to Air:

ABC TV National

Landline – 12 Noon, Sunday 3rd July 2005

Landline – (Repeat) 11am, Monday 4th July 2005

ABC2 on digital

Landline – 8pm, Sunday 3rd July 2005

Landline – (Repeats) 6.25am, 4pm, 7pm & 9.45pm Monday 4th July 2005

I've praised the work of this company before - but having just seen the latest website they've produced I feel I must do so again.

Hammond Equine is responsible for the Wintergreen Stallion Station site in the US. It's a site that is quite deceptive at first glance actually - what appears simple and focused mainly on the visual is actual a clever front for quite a lot of information once you start drilling down into the specific sub-headings (