Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has welcomed the Daniel Andrews State Government’s significant financial commitment to the Victorian trots industry, announced today by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula.
Mr Pakula announced a substantial financial commitment from the State Government backing HRV’s Vicbred Platinum race series and the Australasian Premier Trotting Sale, with the Victorian industry to receive a $6.15 million boost over four years.
Mr Pakula made the announcements today at Empire Stallions in Avenel, one of Victoria’s premier trots breeding facilities.
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Launched by HRV in 2012, Vicbred Platinum supports pacers and trotters that are raced and bred in Victoria.
Under the scheme, $1.45 million in prize money and bonuses will be available during each of the four years, with horses competing in 105 Vicbred Platinum races run annually across the state. The government is providing $2.31 million towards the scheme, courtesy of its Victorian Racing Industry Fund, with HRV providing a further $3.5 million.
As part of the scheme, the government will also contribute $37,500 each year to support the Australasian Premier Trotting Sale and to establish a new sale to assist breeders and owners to sell their weanlings, yearlings, broodmares, stallions and racing stock. HRV will also provide almost $50,000 each year to support the sales.
The funding will help promote the sales throughout Australia and overseas and provide further infrastructure investment that includes raising the auctioneer’s stage, providing a big screen to track the day’s sales and extra seating around the sales ring.
There are more than 3000 trots breeders in Victoria, employing around 1900 people.
“The Andrews Labor Government is committed to supporting a strong and viable future for Victoria’s harness racing breeding industry,” Mr Pakula said.
“Vicbred Platinum continues to increase opportunities for Victorian bred stock, particularly fillies and mares, boosting the Victorian breeding sector.
“The Australasian Premier Trotting Sale also places Victorian bred horses at the forefront for international buyers.”
HRV CEO John Anderson welcomed the important announcements.
“We are pleased to be joining forces with the Victorian Government to support the breeding of pacers and trotters in this state,” Mr Anderson said.
“Since its introduction in 2012, the Vicbred Platinum scheme has provided over $4 million to support local breeders and raise the profile of Australian bred horses on the international market.”
HRV Chairman Dale Monteith told the gathering at Empire Stallions today that the Victorian industry was extremely appreciative of the State Government’s ongoing commitment to the vital Vicbred program.
“It’s a very exciting announcement in terms of harness racing in Victoria. It’s a continuation of the Vicbred scheme, some enhancements to it and also commitment in terms of funding,” Mr Monteith said.
“As we know prizemoney, return to owners and the participants is something that keeps the industry ticking over. It ensures that people are employed in the industry. It provides opportunities to owners by giving them returns on their investment, so they employ trainers who employ others to help them.”
Harness Breeders Victoria also welcomed the announcement.
“Harness Breeders Victoria welcomes today’s announcement and appreciates that Harness Racing Victoria and the Victorian Government have made these commitments at a time that will encourage breeders in the state to maintain, increase or even commence breeding operations, which, in recent times, have been negatively impacted by the drought,” HBV President Shannon Nixon said.
“The commitments announced today regarding the Vicbred futurity scheme will further secure Victoria’s position as the premier state in which to breed, own and race standardbreds, and help to support our regional economies through growth of breeding activity in Victoria.”
Empire Stallions Business Manager Donna Egan, whose company sponsors the lucrative Vicbred Super Series, spoke of her pride at being associated with the futurity scheme.
“We are very proud to be the sole sponsors of Vicbred. We feel that this is a terrific way to get our message out. It is something we look forward to every year, it’s been a very, very, very good opportunity for us. It’s great to continue it, and with these changes it’s even better,” she said.
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