The Racing NSW Breeder Owner Bonus Scheme (BOBS) has been operating since 2002. In the 2010-11 racing season almost $8m was paid out in cash bonuses and another $2m in Double-Up vouchers, bringing the total since the scheme's inception to almost $58m.
To be eligible for BOBS a racehorse must be sired by a NSW-based stallion for which the Stallion Nomination Fee has been paid (see
Sires List). That stallion's progeny may then be advertised or sold as weanlings or yearlings as "BOBS eligible.”
Owners are then required to nominate the horse for a fee of $990. This is done in the months leading up to 1 September 2012 when the horse is about to turn two years old or has just done so. The horse may then win bonus prize money of up to $20,000 for each win on NSW tracks (except Group and Listed races) during its 2YO and 3YO seasons.
Nominations for BOBS have closed for 2YO and 3YO horses in the 2011-12 racing season but a late nomination may be made for a fee of $5500 for a two-year-old horse only. A horse cannot be nominated for BOBS once it has turned 3YO.
BOBS Extra
BOBS Extra is an exciting extension to the scheme which took effect from 1 August 2010, allowing nominated horses to win bonuses of up to $20,000 by winning events over 1600 metres and longer, from the day the horse turns 4YO until the date of its retirement. As with BOBS, Group and Listed races are excluded.
Horses which turn 2YO on 1 August 2012 may be nominated for a fee of $840, in addition to the BOBS fee of $990. BOBS Extra is optional, but a horse cannot be nominated for BOBS Extra without being paid up for BOBS (total $1830).
No late nominations are possible for BOBS Extra.
BOBS Extra makes horse ownership more affordable throughout NSW by providing more opportunities and bonuses for owners prepared to retain and show patience with slow maturing horses. It will balance our breeding industry and strengthen middle-distance and staying competition. Clubs will be required to program more events to cater for these horses.
BOBS Extra will help to protect Australia's international racing reputation. The major international events are distance races.
• Current 2YOs (foaled 2009) were nominated for BOBS and BOBS Extra by September 2011. BOBS bonuses can be won in 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons. BOBS Extra bonuses are available from 1 August 2013 until the horse is retired.
• Current 3YOs (foaled 2008) were nominated for BOBS and BOBS Extra by September 2010 and can win BOBS bonuses in 2011-12 and BOBS Extra bonuses from 1 August 2012 until the horse is retired.
Double-Up Vouchers
Racing NSW has led the way with a unique concept allowing owners who win a BOBS bonus to double its value. By electing to take a voucher rather than a cash payment, they can put double the full amount towards the purchase of another BOBS eligible horse.
In 2010-11 a total of $2.5m was provided for Double-Up vouchers.
The voucher may be used only by the individual concerned and cannot be traded to a third party. Syndicate managers may not Double-Up on behalf of the syndicate as a whole – each syndicate member must make an individual claim.
The voucher may be used to buy a BOBS eligible horse at a yearling sale, or to fund a share in a syndicated BOBS eligible horse which has been purchased at auction, is unraced and for which a Double-Up voucher was not used in the original purchase. It may also be used at a "Ready-to-Run” sale so long as the horse is BOBS eligible and unraced, and at a Dispersal Sale if the horse is BOBS eligible, unraced and was not purchased originally through the use of a Double-Up voucher. It may not be used to purchase a weanling or a broodmare.
From 1 August 2011 the Double-Up option is not available for BOBS Extra wins and all BOBS Extra bonuses must be taken in cash.
Nominations
BOBS 2012 – foals resulting from the 2009 breeding season
The progeny resulting from mating a broodmare to a nominated stallion during the period September-December 2009 and foaled in 2010 will be eligible for BOBS as 2YOs in the 2012-13 racing season (i.e. from 1 August 2012). For them BOBS Extra bonuses will be available from 1 August 2013 when they are 4YOs. Nominations for BOBS and BOBS Extra closed on 1 September 2011.
BOBS 2013 – foals resulting from the 2010 breeding season
Horses sired by a nominated stallion during the period September-December 2010 and foaled in 2011 will be eligible for BOBS as 2YOs in the 2013-14 racing season (i.e. from 1 August 2013). For them BOBS Extra bonuses will be available from 1 August 2015 when they are 4YOs. Nominations will be called in early 2013.
BOBS 2014 – Nomination of a Sire standing in NSW in the 2011 breeding season
Nominations for stallions standing in NSW during the September-December 2011 breeding season closed on 30 June 2011. Terms and Conditions, and the nomination form, are below. After 30 June 2011 a late nomination fee will apply, equivalent to twice the stallion's advertised stud fee.
See Stallion Roster for a full list of nominated sires
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Leading BOBS producing sire Lonhro |
BOBS Stallion Activity
BOBS Winner Scoreboard
For further information on BOBS and BOBS Extra please contact:
John Gatfield: (02) 9551 7574 / email - jgatfield@racingnsw.com.au or
Scott Kennedy: (02) 9551 7579 / email - skennedy@racingnsw.com.au
