Our Achievements

FORMATION & BACKGROUND

  • Established as a “not for profit” organization in 1976/77 as the Victorian Standardbred Breeders Association Inc. over 30 years ago.

In 1995, the Association’s magazine Track Bred announced a proposed merger with the Victorian Studmasters Association. 1995/96 saw the start of the Victorian Standardbred Breeders and Studmasters Association with John Campbell (President) and Des McQueen (Secretary). This merged entity continued until renamed as Harness Breeders (Vic) Inc.

OBJECTIVES

  • Continued its vital industry role as Harness Breeders (Vic) Inc. to protect, promote, foster and improve the interests of Victorian Standardbred Breeders.

 

Track Bred – Our  Magazine

  • Initiated the quarterly publication of Track Bred with its first Black & White issue in 1979, which is now circulated to all Members of Breeders’ Associations throughout Australia and Internationally. In its 30 years of uninterrupted distribution it has promoted the views of Breeders winning several “Best Feature Stories of the Year” in the AHRC National Media Awards. In 1996, under the editorship of Gordon Lockman, it was adjudged   the winner of the AHRC’s “Coulter Award for Magazine Excellence”.

In 2004, Track Bred was awarded a “Special Recognition Award” by the Australian Harness Racing Council for 25 Years of Publication.

The Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide

  • Initially produced in 1996/97 by Harness Racing Victoria as the “Broodmares Guide to Victorian Stallions” in a 128 page Black & White Publication. It continued in this form until 2001, when VSB&SA with HRV assistance took over the production and distribution. The next edition was undertaken as a “stand-alone” effort.  Now proudly known as “The Breeders Bible” it has grown from a 208 page production with a limited circulation, it currently has content of 304 pages. It is distributed to over 8,000 Breeders throughout Australasia to inform Breeders of valuable Stallion information through quality targeted advertising.

Created the  Breeders  Crown  Series with HRV

  • Initiated the Australasian Breeders Crown Series’ following a proposal by VSB&SA Committeemen Allan Galloway and Geoff Waters with the Bendigo Harness Racing Club. Its launch occurred in May 1997 by then HRV Chairman Ian McEwen describing it as the “Richest Futurity event in the Southern Hemisphere”. In 1997, the VSB&SA agreed to provide individually designed Signature Trophies designed by the Association and Renown Silverware together with Horse Rugs, an arrangement which continues today.  Harness Racing Victoria now conducts this major Event.  HBV initiated, and still conducts, its popular Breeders Crown Luncheon on Grand Final Day.

VicBred  Involvement

  • Provided input and fostered the creation of the Vicbred Series with Harness Racing Victoria.

Member Recognition

  • Commencing in 1996, the Association held its first Annual Presentation Night at Bendigo. In an Australian “first”, it initiated the presentation of Breeders 2.00 minute (pacers) and 2.05 minute (trotters) performance recognition Pin Winners.(To qualify for the Pin presentation, the Standardbred must be Vicbred, and the recipient must be a member of the Association). In addition, the HBV Presentation Award Night incorporated awards for VicBred and Group One Winners, and the HBV Champion Awards for Pacers & Trotters. This successful tradition continues today.

Formed the Australian Standardbred Breeders Association - ASBA

  • This Victorian initiative was established in 1992 as the National Breeders organization with John Campbell (President), Geoff Waters (Secretary) and Peter Wharton as inaugural Office Bearers. HBV has actively supported it since with John Campbell (Vice President) and Des McQueen (Treasurer) still involved. Both have been awarded Life Memberships for their services to this entity.

Consultation  Body with  Harness  Racing Victoria

  • Actively represented Breeders and Members as a Consultative Body amongst other key Victorian Industry Participant Bodies.

Sales  Company  Encouragement

  • Promoted and assisted Standardbred Sales Companies to enhance the commercial value of yearlings and other Standardbreds.

Sponsorship  of Fillies  &  Mares  Racing

  • For many years, the Association sponsored Fillies and Mares races in Victoria and New South Wales. Then three years ago, it entered its initial two year sponsorship agreement with Harness Racing Victoria for $55,000.
  • Now in its second agreement for a similar sponsorship of $55,000. This significant Race sponsorship of Victorian Fillies and Mares Feature Races for Pacers and Trotters have been well received. It leads Australia in the encouragement of quality racing whilst promoting these important events with Harness Racing Victoria.

Website – www.vicharnessbreeders.org.au

  • Established and maintained a dedicated website to advise Breeders, Members and Industry Participants of the initiatives, news and activities of Victorian Breeders and our Association.