TBA Chairman Susan Rowett Visits KZN

The Chairman of the TBA, Susan Rowett, and CEO Tom Callaghan, visited KZN last week where a productive ‘meet & greet’ was held with discussions over the future of racing, breeding and sales in South Africa. Various marketing ideas and initiatives were discussed as well as various new conditions of the all-important Emperor’s Palace National Yearling Sale.

Susan, joint-owner of Varsfontein Stud in the Cape , arrived at the meeting in a flurry of excitement as minutes before the meeting , her new young stallion Judpot had his second consecutive winner (and a place in the same race!). Tom Callaghan said it is the first time in 18 years that the Chairman has gone on a ‘roadshow’ to meet with fellow breeders.

Susan began with saying how ‘everyone’ is talking about the great initiatives and the increased awareness of the advantages of owning a KZN-bred horse, with the implementation of our Million Mile and increased stakes for our KZN Breeders Race Day. Tom remarked that KZN has set a benchmark with the success of the 2012 Suncoast KZN Yearling Sale and that many Cape breeders had expressed an interest in sending yearlings up to attend this year ‘ s sale. The appeal is obvious with the added advantage of a race being held for graduates of the sale with a stake of R1 million on Vodacom Durban July day.

Due to the loss of revenue brought about by the CTS sales, it was announced that the TBA are to increase their sales commission from 7% to 8%. This excludes horses not sold or Vendor buy-backs. Tom said he was pleased that the TBA had been able to speed up the processing of invoices and that collections for the National Sale last year stood with only 5% outstanding after 60 days. Koos De Klerk, Chairman of the KZN Breeders and Council Member of the TBA , thanked the TBA for their pro-active collections of payments, legal fees and also assisting with the re-possessing of horses that were not paid for.

Susan was recently elected as Chairman of Racing South Africa also broke the news that a R500 foal levy will be introduced when foals are microchipped and registered – which will be contributed directly for much needed funding towards the Equine Research Centre. She also discussed the quarantine facility in the Cape, saying that the facility is fully booked and 75% of the horses leaving the country were Thoroughbred, while the rest were Sport Horses. It was very interesting to note that the charge of a Thoroughbred in quarantine was R450/day, while non-Thoroughbreds are charged R850/day. Susan also discussed the need for the implementation of Groom’s Co-ops and training – something which the KZN Breeders will be looking to introduce soon.

Tom also advised that for all upcoming sales, breeders would be required to disclose any and all invasive surgery or prohibited drug use on any yearling entered for sale. While the information would not be publicly available – it would be available to the buyer on enquiry – in accordance with rules from the Consumer Protection Act.

The KZN Breeders would like to thank Susan for initiating and making the long trip to visit us – and we hope to see Susan back in KZN soon!

Visit the Thoroughbred Breeders Association website at www.tba.co.za for more information.