Australian Racing has survived the 2007 Equine Influenza (EI), both World Wars, Stock Market Crash of 1929, Great Depression of the 1930’s, Stock Market Crash of 1987 and the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-2009.
So, it is without doubt, our massive industry that employs over 350,000 people and is worth over $10 billion a year to the Australian economy and approximately $3 billion in Taxation Revenue will certainly survive COVID-19.
Whilst around the globe horse racing has either been suspended or, like Australia, been run spectator-less, to protect the health and well-being of our owners and participants, we don’t have to go too far down memory lane to take guidance on how we successfully dealt with previous times of angst.
Of more recent times, in 2007 Australian racing was hugely affected by the Equine Influenza (EI) outbreak.
Across the 2006/07 season there were 538 stakes races conducted, including 67 Group 1 races run in Australia. When EI arrived in the Spring, horses and racing were placed into quarantine, affecting our industry for approximately six months.
In the following 2007/08 season, there was still 495 stakes races run, including 62 Group 1 races, with 95% of the prizemoney won and distributed.
Breeding also took a whack throughout that season, the number of thoroughbred foals born fell to 16,112 (conceived during EI) compared to the year prior, where there had been 18,338 foals born. The following year, the number of foals bred jumped back up to 17,191.
This decrease had nothing to do with EI but breeders fear, and consequently not sending some of their mares to be covered that year.
The Team at Dynamic Syndications, in consultation with our professional Training Teams, Pre-Trainers and Agistment properties, will readily adapt to every obstacle placed in our path as and when they present themselves.
For now, Racing is proceeding.
If Racing, like other sports, was to shut down for two-three months, many of our horses would still be in training preparing to race because history shows, there will be
limited numbers of horses ready to go when racing kicked off again.
To us, this would represent
a prizemoney earning opportunity we are keen to explore in our strategy to
achieve maximum income opportunities for all our Dynamic Owners.
Our 2020 yearling purchases are continuing still going through their ever evolving education and pre-training phases as they prepare for the upcoming 2yo season commencing in October. There will not be any affect upon their horse management programmes.
Horses being aimed at the Winter Carnival Black-Type Races in South Australia and Queensland will continue to advance in their training. Should these carnivals be compromised, then we simply re-adjust our radar to Sydney and Melbourne Spring Racing.
As owners are aware,
it takes approximately 12 weeks training for a horse to come in from a spelling paddock to be ready to race. This is the amount of time, should a suspension of racing come into effect, would not result in any loss of productivity.
So, horses that are spelling, as their spells complete, will come back into pre-training and then after 4-5 weeks head into full training. Horses that have been up and racing can be given the opportunity for a spell.
The key here is flexibility and ensuring the best outcomes for horse husbandry and management, whilst being acutely aware of financial burdens our owners are incurring during times of uncertainty.
Expenses will be closely monitored with all suppliers to offer our owners the most cost-efficient outcomes.
As always, we will keep you fully informed with the latest changes and ongoing regular updates about your horse.
We wish everyone the best of health and well-being at this time and look forward to seeing you in the Winner's Circle in the future.
Team Dynamic - Dean, Adam, Fiona, Peter & Rachel
