BREEDERS’ WEEKLY

CONT.
Murdoch also had success with King
Galleon (King Conch-Galleon’s Best)
which won eight races.
Those successes have heightened his
interest in the square gaiters.
Last year there were only 540 trotting
mares bred from - down from 700.
John Stiven, he’s got about 16 going to
stud.”
Cleland Murdoch continues to make
a significant contribution to harness
racing both on the local Southland
scene and nationally - with bags of
enthusiasm.
By the way you’ll need to ask him why
he’s called Bags, and why he raced a
horse called Wide Awake Bags. I forgot
to ask!
Bruce Stewart
“The Australians have been raiding
our best families. I personally think
that we have to do our bit to encourage
them (owners of trotting mares). What
also worries me with those mares is
that Love You’s book is full, Muscle
Mass will probably get over 100 mares
or so, so what happens to the rest of
them?” The lack of a variety of quality
fresh or chilled semen is a concern. On
the other hand, breeders have access
to some incredible stallions at very
discountable prices.
Murdoch views the recent changes to
Southern Harness’s stake structure as a
move in the right direction.
“We’ve got our dates in the early part of
the year right by racing fortnightly until
the end of October and weekly after
that. Stakes are heading in the right
direction but I’m not happy with the
differential between trotters and pacers
for maiden races.”
On an administration level he’s on the
NZSBA Executive having also served
a term as President and he’s also Vice
Chairman of the Sires Stakes Board.
“At any one time we (Sires Stakes
Board) have funds well in excess of
seven figures under our control. In
response to some criticism about the
Sire Stakes Series being very elite -
the reality is that it has become elite
because the standard of our horses is
just so good.”
He says the Sires Stakes Board has
helped fund five new races worth
$40,000 which were run last season
and will also be run this coming
season. The Board is the major player
in age group racing.
www.b4breeding.com
A blog about standardbred breeding, issues and topics of interest,
written by New Zealand breeder and writer Bee Pears.
Recent blogs include the legacy of Romola Hal and her down under
connections; what we can learn from other industries; comments on
yearling sales results; Tintin In America’s results as a sire; and a new
series about Nibble Hanover and Lydia Knight.
Plus four years of previous blogs covering new sires, pedigree matching,
the future of harness racing, links to great articles and lots more.
Independent. Information. Interesting.
Check it out.
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never equalled.
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“There’s never been a better time to
breed a horse. I own or have an interest
in about eight mares that are going to
stud this year. Speaking to people like
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