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Great British Stallion Showcase Launched

The Great British Stallion Showcase 2021 was launched by the Thoroughbred Breeders' Association (TBA) and Great British Racing International (GBRI) on Monday.

The online format is due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that prevented the TBA's Flat Stallion Parade and the National Hunt Stallion Showcase from taking place this year. Photos and videos of each participating stallion, as well as audio clips from stud managers, pedigree and fees are all available at www.greatbritishstallionshowcase.co.uk. In addition, the stallion pages also include the stallions' British EBF eligibility where appropriate. Following the theme of the live stallion parades, the Great British Stallion Showcase 2021 features first- and second-season Flat stallions and National Hunt stallions of all ages.

Claire Sheppard, Chief Executive of the TBA, said, “The TBA and GBRI are delighted to launch the Great British Stallion Showcase for 2021. While sadly the restrictions around Covid-19 have disrupted this year's renewals of our annual Flat Stallion Parade and National Hunt Stallion Showcase, we wanted to offer breeders the next best opportunity to explore and view the outstanding stallion offering in Britain this year.

“Our team at the TBA have liaised closely with stallion studs to source a range of visual and audio assets, while the GBRI team have successfully built a user-friendly, practical website which contains a wealth of information on each stallion. We are grateful for GBRI's expertise in creating this virtual showcase and we look forward to further promotion of the featured stallions over the coming weeks through behind-the-scenes footage and content across digital channels, including bespoke social media assets that have been provided to each stud involved.”

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TBA Annual General Meeting Held

The Annual General Meeting of the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association was held online for the first time on Sunday. TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson detailed several key strategic priorities, while also acknowledging the challenges created by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic to the UK Thoroughbred industry. Five 2021 focal points for the TBA Board of Trustees and executive team are as follows:

Resolving issues arising from the UK’s exit from the EU; to include working with industry partners at home and abroad to ensure best possible outcomes for the industry, its people, trade and horse movement.
Maintaining and developing relationships with key industry and government figures who can potentially influence and support TBA activities.
Providing further direct support for breeders, including development of the Great British Bonus scheme.
Participating and influencing industry decisions on prize-money, ensuring racing is adequately funded at every level, while maintaining the appeal and competitiveness of Britain’s top-level races globally.
Improving the TBA’s digital services, including developing and launching a new e-learning platform to provide easy and affordable access to industry training.

Several positive developments in 2020 include: the TBA gaining approval from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) for the Great British Bonus scheme which has already paid out over £1 million in prize-money. The quick adaption of communications and services for members through the coronavirus crises was also recognised as a success.

“British breeders need more support,” said Richmond-Watson. “GBB [the Great British Bonus] is a great start, but if racecourses wish to run the size of the programme they desire, they will need us to maintain and produce more foals on the ground and that will only happen if breeders feel confident about the future.”

Also during the meeting, the term of the incumbent chairman was increased from six years to eight after a special resolution was adopted, with upcoming challenges ranging from Brexit, COVID-19, prize-money issues, and Levy reform. A new membership category was also created, the associate subscription, allowing discounted or free access to TBA courses and events for £60 per year. In addition, Laundry Cottage Stud owner Colin Bryce and Kate Sigsworth of West Moor Stud were elected to the Board of Trustees. For more details on the TBA Annual General Meeting, please visit www.tba.co.uk.

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TBA Announces Devonshire and Dominion Award Winners

The winners of the Devonshire and Dominion bronzes were announced by the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association on Wednesday. Prominent owner/breeder Anthony Oppenheimer was awarded the Andrew Devonshire Bronze, which is awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to the British Thoroughbred industry. The owner of Hascombe and Valiant Stud, Oppenheimer has celebrated homebreds the likes of G1 Epsom Derby hero Golden Horn (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) and MG1SW Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}), as well as G1 Irish Oaks heroine Star Catcher (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), just to name a few.

“It is a great honour and I am absolutely amazed,” said Oppenheimer, who is a past TBA chairman. “It was not something that ever entered my mind that I could possibly win. I was chairman of the TBA for four years, and even then it never entered my mind that when awarding it to all of these famous people, that I would actually get this honour. It is tremendously exciting.

“I never had the ambition of winning this award but now I have won it, it is just fantastic and I am really honoured by it. My father would be absolutely thrilled if he could look down, this is very much the highlight of my life.”

Ruth Quinn received the Dominion Bronze in recognition of her contribution and long-term commitment to the improvement of the Thoroughbred through her work in race programming. Through Quinn’s efforts, there is now a revitalised staying programme, more race opportunities for Flat fillies and the creation of a comprehensive jump mares’ programme.

“It’s an honour to receive the Dominion Award,” said Quinn, who is also the BHA’s Director of International Racing and Racing Development. “Horseracing is, and has been my life and the driving, ever present reason for that is the thoroughbred. Anybody who knows me well would recognise just how strongly and passionately I feel about our collective responsibilities towards the long-term health of the thoroughbred breed.”

Added TBA Chairman Julian Richmond-Watson said, “This year’s recipients are two very worthy winners of the award. The board of trustees agreed that their long-standing contribution and commitment to the improvement of the breed should be justly rewarded and recognised. The TBA is committed to the long-term future of the industry and pays tribute to Anthony and Ruth who have dedicated considerable time and effort to the British thoroughbred.”

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E2SE Students Arrive at The National Stud

Students from the UK and Ireland arrived at The National Stud this week to begin the 2020 TBA Entry to Stud Employment Programme, The National Stud announced on Monday. The 20 students engage in practical work-based training alongside lectures and industry visits for the first nine weeks. Those students that successfully completed phase one of the programme will be invited to interview for a work placement at a UK stud farm where they will complete their Level 2 Diploma in Work Based Racehorse Care (Breeding Option). The course is fully funded by the TBA and the Racing Foundation and is now in its second year.

“This course attracts students from a really diverse range of ages and backgrounds,” said The National Stud Director Tim Lane. “Graduates from 2019 and previous pilot years are working at studs across the UK and we have had a strong level of applications again this year. As with all activity this year we have put in place guidelines and restrictions to safeguard against COVID-19 and we will be monitoring these in line with guidance from government over the coming weeks.”

The 2020 students are as follows: Debbie Brodie, Dylan Goulding, Callum Bartram-Bell, Harry Hollingworth, Callan Graham, Leon Rossiter, Kenny Mace, Sam Malone, Cara Bradbury, Kate Stewart-Hilliar, Zoe Moles, Charlotte Cook, Tom Richardson, Jodie McLoughlin, Daniel Kent, Jodie Lever, Freya Marshall, Evelyn Holmes, Kinga Jantovics and Libby Flood.

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