With each passing year, it appears that the racing and breeding industries become increasingly political.
Recently, representatives from TBNSW attended an interview with the Honourable Brad Hazzard, who has been charged with conducting a review of the Thoroughbred Racing Act (NSW) – the single most important piece of legislation applying to participants in racing. In my opinion, from a governance perspective, this review is the single most important event in modern times. The Thoroughbred Racing Act creates Racing NSW, it gives it its functions, powers, responsibilities, and structures. It sets out who is eligible to be on the board of Racing NSW and who selects them to take up such an appointment. A change to the Act has long been overdue.
From unilateral decisions to extend board terms on Racing NSW on three separate occasions (the last attempt failed) to the NSW Government’s upper house’s privileges committee making the public statement that it held “serious concerns with the conduct of Racing NSW” and determining that its behaviour was deeply inappropriate during the Government inquiry into the sale of Rosehill Racecourse; the mood of the racing and breeding public is that something must change at Racing NSW. We have long supported that change and will continue to advocate for it.
Year in Review
In 2025, NSW stud farms welcomed several new first-season stallions headed by Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland (Coolmore) and Golden Rose winner Broadsiding (Godolphin). The stud tours and stallion days are consistently well attended, even as we see foal crops and mare covers declining each season.
TBNSW again organised popular and topical pre-season seminars at Scone and Wagga. With our new website up and running, we are now able to post many videos and articles on our “Knowledge Hub” section which displays a wide array of topics from presentations on OCDs and bone cysts to an insightful article about pregnancy loss. Again, all this would not be possible without the assistance of the veterinarians at Scone Equine Group and CSU, who spend a lot of time organising and presenting at the seminars.
The work of TBNSW is made much easier with the assistance of our sponsors the Australian Turf Club, Horsepower, Howdens Insurance, Baumgartners, IRT & Zoetis. Most simply, these sponsors allow TBNSW to advocate and educate on NSW breeders’ behalf.
Awards Day
NSW Champions were celebrated at Moet & Chandon Spring Champions Race Day at Royal Randwick. Congratulations to the 2025 season winners:
*Champion Broodmare- Star Pupil (Arrowfield)
*Presidents’ Award for Breeder of the year- Mr Ian Johnson
*Champion Broodmare Sire- Fastnet Rock (Coolmore)
*Champion Sire 2YO- Snitzel (Arrowfield)
*Champion First Season Sire- Ole Kirk (Vinery)
*Champion Sire- Zoustar (Widden)
The Charity Auction held at the awards raised $6,700 for National Thoroughbred Week which is an initiative of board member Vicky Leonard. The idea behind National Thoroughbred Week is for stables, farms, studs, and all industry participants to open their doors to allow members of the public to visit and experience the industry firsthand. The initiative has been a success in the US and NZ, and we are delighted to be able to support the organisation to grow the sport.
TBNSW Board
This year, we saw the retirement from the board of the incomparable Peter Orton. Peter has given so much to the industry over the many years as General Manager of Arrowfield and Vinery Studs. One thing Peter was always conscious of and keen to foment was the introduction of young people to the industry.
Luckily, TBNSW has seen the addition of Angus Lamont of Kooringal Stud near Wagga Wagga to the board. Angus is a smart, hardworking operator who understands the constant pressures that our industry faces. I know Angus will provide valuable insight to the board over the coming years.
Finally, I must thank my Vice-President, Paddy Power, and Treasurer, Olly Tait, for their efforts, including their leadership – something too often lacking in this game. I am also very appreciative of my fellow board members Vin Cox, Trish Egan, and Vicky Leonard, and especially our Executive Office,r Kirsten Tydd.
Kirsten is the good oil, as they say, and I particularly admire the ease with which she can move from organiser of Raceday lunches to galvanising support for breeding seminars.
On behalf of the TBNSW board and executive officer, I wish all NSW Thoroughbred Breeder members an enjoyable holiday season and a successful sales season in 2026.
Hamish Esplin
President Thoroughbred Breeders NSW
