NEWMARKET, UK–“Look after those f***ing owner/breeders,” was the advice given by Guy Harwood to Sir Mark Prescott, and it has served the latter well, as all of Prescott's Group 1 winners, from Pivotal (GB) to Alpinista (GB), have been homebred by various owners.
More than 200 breeders, enthusiasts and industry experts gathered at Tattersalls on Tuesday for the inaugural TBA Bloodstock Conference and were treated to the full range of anecdotes from Prescott, the day's keynote speaker at the sell-out event, who provided an amusing interlude to some of the day's more serious topics.
The trainer of last year's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Alpinista, whose dam and granddam were also under the tutelage of Prescott for Kirsten Rausing, he reflected on the relationship between trainers and owner/breeders and the benefit of knowing the traits of different equine families.
The day's proceedings were chaired by racing broadcaster and journalist Lydia Hislop, who is also the chair of the BHA's Flat Pattern Committee. Covering a broad remit of industry issues, from staff recruitment to breeding's social licence and the encouragement of diversity and inclusivity, attendees were given a range of presentations through the day-long seminar.
Jodie Daglish of Newmarket Equine Hospital spoke on the use of physiotherapy in rehabilitating convalescing thoroughbreds, including young stock, while Dr Paull Khan, secretary-general of the European and Mediterranean Horseracing Federation (EMHF) gave his thoughts on how the breeding industry should consider the changing attitudes towards animals in sport.
Journalist and pedigree advisor Bill Oppenheim's data-led talk entitled 'The myths we live by' featured some common misconceptions when it comes to stallion choice and matings. This was followed by a debate between Hislop, TBA deputy chairman Philip Newton and TDN European editor Emma Berry on the potential benefits of breeding middle-distance and staying horses at a time when stamina-laden bloodlines are increasingly in demand by overseas buyers but often overlooked by domestic breeders.
Recruitment and retention of staff and how to engage young people in the bloodstock industry were the major themes of the afternoon session, which also included a presentation from Terry Finch of agricultural consultancy ADAS on the latest environmental schemes available to breeders.
Jane Black, the owner of Chasemore Farm, was joined by TBA trustee Kate Sigsworth of West Moor Stud and put forward suggestions on how increased flexibility in working arrangements can lead to a happier and more productive work force.
Tom Blain of leading consignor Barton Stud did, however, warn of the dearth of recruits to the industry in a later discussion on attracting the next generation of Thoroughbred breeders.
“We're staring down the barrel of a serious staffing crisis,” Blain warned, while citing the cost of land and rent for premises as a major deterrent for younger people starting up their own operations in the bloodstock sector.
His fellow panellist Sophie Buckley of Culworth Grounds, added, “You can't just be a good horse person, you have to be able to run a good business as well.”
Joining Blain and Buckley on the panel was National Stud CEO Anna Kerr, who gave a positive report on the stud's first microshare breeding syndicate, which owns a mare in foal to resident stallion Stradivarius. The partnership between the National Stud and My Racehorse includes 1,000 microshare holders who each receive weekly updates on the mare's progress.
“These are people who just love racing but do actually look at sirelines,” Kerr said. “We need to do more of this. It comes down to casting the net wide, and there will be some big fish in there, too. The members visit the stud regularly and are just so excited to be involved. It's overwhelmingly positive and it's something we want to grow.”
She added, “There's a lot of hardship in breeding but we do it for the dream and the joy, and that's what we need to share.”
Microshare syndicates on the racecourse have proved to be hugely popular, too, enabling more people to get involved in ownership. Diversity and inclusivity were the major themes in the presentation by Chris Gibbons, Director of Inside Inclusion, who has been working with the racing and breeding industry to help ensure best practices within the workplace.
The day was brought to a close by the young professionals panel of the TDN's Alayna Cullen Birkett, Lester Futter of Yorton Stud, Cheveley Park Stud's Max McLoughlin and Alice Thurtle of Tweenhills. In conversation with Hislop, the quartet discussed their own introductions to working in the breeding industry, with the over-riding sentiment being that the opportunities for travel and responsibility are plentiful as long as you are prepared to work hard.
Claire Sheppard, TBA Chief Executive said: “It was fantastic to see so many people attend today's sell-out event. It was the first year of the Bloodstock Conference, and we were so lucky to have such a roster of speakers and panellists debating some of the key issues for the industry at this time.
“We are hugely thankful to Lydia for hosting, our excellent speakers and panellists and all of our conference partners. A special thanks must go to Tattersalls for providing the venue, allowing us to put on this event. We are already looking forward to next year's event and will be canvassing the opinions of members and attendees for next year's programme.”
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