Happy New Year - NOT !
5th January 2023
By Admin.
Harness Racing NSW sagely wrote in their 2021/22 Season "Breeding Report":
"The effects of the continual decreases in live foals will most likely take five (5) to seven (7) years to be realised in the horse population, however if foal numbers continue to drop then the current number of meetings and races in NSW may not be able to be maintained".
Well, what are they going to do about a further year-on-year decline in foal numbers OF UP TO 30% come this time next year?
Because that is exactly where we are headed, sadly.
The reports flowing in, from studs across the country, indicate that they have had an absolutely disastrous 2022/23 season in terms of the number of mares being bred! And stallions, that months ago had posted 'Book Full', are now touting for business ... as their bookings have 'mysteriously' failed to convert into actual services.
And you can't say that the authorities, both at the state level and nationally, weren't warned! We wrote to them repeatedly, and pleaded for face-to-face meetings, to explain how badly they were reading the situation on the ground, all to no avail! "We know best" was basically their arrogant retort - then.
But history will clearly show that you ignore the Voice of Breeders at your peril.
Remember these names as they collectively supported HRA's push for a diabolical "Tax on Breeding" ... whilst categorically refusing to rationally discuss the data and statistical evidence we put before them clearly demonstrating that it was a flawed and doomed funding model:
- Ken Brown (representing HRNSW)
- Dale Montieth (representing HRV)
- Bob Fowler (representing RWWA)
- Jodie Jones (representing RQ)
- Neil Grose (representing Tas Racing)
- Emma Grigson (representing HRSA)
- Graeme Campbell (HRA Chair)
And, of course, we must not forget their clown-in-chief, HRA CEO Mr. Andrew Kelly, who wanted The Eureka circus more than anything else. "It will be talked about 24/7" remember.
Absolutely right ... because In seven years' time, we will be discussing the need for a twenty-four-year strategic plan to try and build something out of the rubble left behind as a result of HRA's crazy decisions, and Kelly's disastrous tenure.
But we contend it will be way too late then ... and we need to act immediately in order to restructure Harness Racing Australia from the ground up, or disband the National Body entirely, and let each State operate independently. And we are already seeing evidence of that in some States ... where members, although seemingly impotent when it comes to standing up against the HRA CEO at the board level, go home and do their own thing in terms of rules, handicapping, and even the staging of Slot Races.
Interesting times ... Guy Fawkes, we need you!
