Racing Queensland and breeders Haras des Trotteurs have combined to provide an exciting opportunity to harness participants aimed at stimulating the breeding of trotters in Queensland.
The partnership will give participants the chance to win and take ownership of one of 14 well-bred broodmares. Interested parties are encouraged to register at the Racing Queensland website, with the 14 lucky winners to be announced at Albion Park on Saturday 7 July.
The offer, open to breeders, trainers, owners and trotting enthusiasts, includes the opportunity to win ownership of a mare, with a free service to one of Haras des Trotteurs’ stallions for the first year.
The stallions include;
- Used To Me
- Dream Catcher and;
- En Solitaire
Each mare offered must remain in Queensland for at least the initial breeding season to ensure offspring are QBRED eligible, with a minimum expectation that the foal’s first race start be in Queensland. The new owner must also fund transport costs to Queensland for both the mare and semen.
This exciting new opportunity was the brainchild of prominent trotting owner Jeroen Nieuwenburg and owner of Haras des Trotteurs and Yabby Dam Farms, Pat Driscoll.
Racing Queensland Harness Development Strategy Manager David Brick said the generous offer would be a major stimulant to the local ranks.
“Many thanks must go to Pat for this generous offer to help stimulate breeding in Queensland, and to Jeroen Nieuwenburg, who has been pivotal in helping to get it off the ground,” Mr Brick said.
Mr Driscoll said he was a passionate supporter of the trotting gait.
“Hopefully this initiative will kick start the breeding of trotters in Queensland and lead to the introduction of two-year-old trotting races in the state,” Mr Driscoll said.
Mr Brick said the trotting gait had experienced a resurgence in recent years, driven largely by international wagering returns, and Australian breeders being able to access the best international breeding lines.
A number of initiatives will be introduced in the coming season to grow racing opportunities for trotters, including enhancements to this year’s Winter Carnival program through the $20k Haras des Trotteurs Marathon and $15k Haras des Trotteurs Mobile joining the $30k Seelite Windows and Doors Queensland Trotters Cup.
“There will also be the new QBRED Trotters Features in 2018/19, and the introduction of a juvenile trotters series similar to the Foundation series established in New South Wales,” Mr Brick said.
Interested parties are encouraged to visit the Racing Queensland website to find out more: http://www.racingqueensland.com.au/Harness-Industry/Promotion-Harness-Breeding-in-Queensland.
Complete the online application form by July 2 to go in to the ballot, which will be drawn publically at Albion Park on Saturday 7 July.
Broodmares on offer
- My Dreamweaver
- Eilish Monarch
- Lucky Love
- Feona Joy
- Parisian Dancer
- Calder Luck
- Mya Grace
- Bella Sorella
- Elle Galleon
- Yankee Duchess
- Majestic Elsa
- Madam Commander
- Bigonluck
- Bartali