Harness Racing NSW will double the Breeders Challenge certificate value for owners of eligible horses in the 2022 racing season.
Following a significant industry consultation process, a 100% increase to $6,000 will apply for the owners of eligible horses which win a two-year-old race.
The changes will come into effect at the commencement of the next racing season on 1 January, 2022.
In a move to incentivise the racing of two-year-old pacers and trotters against their own age group, the changes are in response to calls from stakeholders to increase the bonus rewards for owners.
It is one of the key outcomes introduced following the HRNSW Breeders and Owners Forum held in May.
“This is the direct result of HRNSW taking a look at the current situation, calling for input and entering into discussions about potential initiatives for the betterment of breeders and owners,” HRNSW Chief Executive John Dumesny said.
“There was a consensus among those who attended the Forum to increase the value of bonuses weighted towards owners with attention to early returns, but also importantly, for the retention of money back into the Industry.”
“Another position of a large number of owners and trainers was that two-year-olds should race against other two-year-olds, but as evidenced under the National Ratings(NR) handicapping system, horses will be placed where they have the best chance to win and that may well be against older horses.”
“With the new incentives on offer, owners and trainers will therefore have a $3,000 certificate decision to make from the next racing season.”
“It must be accepted that NSW has the highest base prizemoney in Australia and therefore a fully eligible two-year-old winning at an A-category meeting will have a real value of near $16,000 if the owner is the breeder – which is around 66% of the time.”
In an immediate change to the Conditions of Breeders Challenge Bonuses, a two-year-old which wins its first race in NSW in any NR race (all ages) will receive a bonus at the current levels.
“A necessary change to the bonus system was to simplify how a bonus could be collected so now a win is a win, whatever the NR of the race is and against horses of any age,” Mr Dumesny said.
“This change will be retrospective for horses who were caught in the complicated former bonus conditions.”
NSW already has in place the most equitable sharing arrangements between breeders and owners with the breeder retaining the $3,000 cash component of the Breeders Challenge Bonus.
In the financial year ended 30 June, 2021, a total of $3.1M was distributed in bonuses to breeders and owners through the NSW Breeders Challenge.
The NSW Breeders Challenge Finals are the richest in Australia for State based futurities, each carrying prizemoney of $150,000.
Structure of NSW Breeders Challenge Bonuses for Two Year Old Pacers and Trotters effective 1 January 2022:
- $6,000 Certificate to the Owner if the horse wins a race restricted to two-year-old’s in NSW;
- $3,000 Cash to the Foal Nominator (Breeder);
- $3,000 Cash to the Owner if the horse is True Blue eligible (100% NSW bred – Sire physically standing in NSW at time of service and Dam located in NSW at time of service and birth of foal in NSW.)
Structure of NSW Breeders Challenge Bonuses for Two Year Old Pacers and Trotters effective now:
- $3,000 Certificate to the Owner for the horse’s wins first in NSW;
- $3,000 Cash to Nominator (Breeder);
- $3,000 Cash to Owners if the horse is True Blue eligible (100% NSW Bred -Sire physically standing in
NSW at time of service and Dam located in NSW at time of service and birth of foal in NSW.)
Four Year Old horses:
Eligible four year old horses which did not win a bonus as a two or three year old will be eligible to win a Breeders Challenge Bonus.
Older eligible horses:
The ability of horses five years and older to win a Breeders Challenge Bonus has also been restored however a ‘grandfather’ clause has been instated as on or before 31 August 2021. Horses which were sustained prior to 31 August 2021 will be eligible to win a bonus until retirement from racing.
Certificates:
HRNSW will undertake a review of the Bonus Certificates Redemption Conditions and will be seeking feedback from industry stake holder groups.
For further information contact HRNSW Futurities Manager Alana Toulmin – atoulmin@hrnsw.com.au
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