Cover image courtesy of Inglis
The current disregard for The Pattern in Australian race planning is one of great concern for all industry participants. The Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia (FBAA) is strongly in support of continuing The Pattern of Australian racing, in accordance with international standards.
The FBAA calls on Racing Australia and the State PRAs (Principal Racing Authorities) to protect the future sustainability and relevance of the Australian thoroughbred industry by resolving the current stalemate in Pattern planning.
The Pattern, and associated ‘black type’, ensures the Australian racing product has international relevance and context. It creates value in bloodstock and pedigrees for the benefit of owners, trainers, breeders, bloodstock agents and many other racing participants.
"The Pattern, and associated ‘black type’, ensures the Australian racing product has international relevance and context. It creates value in bloodstock and pedigrees for the benefit of owners, trainers, breeders, bloodstock agents and many other racing participants." - FBAA statement
We acknowledge there is vagaries within the current Pattern that need to be resolved in a collaborative manner, with an allowance for accommodating positive innovations. Withstanding that, it is vitally important that the Australia Pattern stays within the international standards set out by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) with specific reference to International Grading & Race Planning Advisory Committee (IRPAC).
Thoroughbreds are an international commodity and investors need security in consistent standards. If innovations are not balanced with consultation and consideration for international standards, then Australia risks becoming isolated from the rest of the world, which will have extremely detrimental ramifications for the entire Australian thoroughbred industry.
FBAA Members:
Craig Rounsefell, Dave Mee, Louis Le Metayer, Grant Burns, Damon Gabbedy, Suman Hedge, Leonard Russo, Julian Blaxland, John Chalmers, James Clarke, Noel Carter, Duncan Ramage, John Foote, John Ford, Peter Ford, Jeff Gordon, Mathew Becker, Adrian Hancock, Mark Player, Will Johnson, Bill Mitchell, Sheamus Mills, Louis Mihalyka, Mark Pilkington, Brett Howard, Peter Twomey and Andrew Williams.
Associate Members:
Magic Millions, Barry Bowditch
William Inglis & Son Limited, Jonathan D’Arcy
The FBAA has sourced opinions from a variety of industry participants, which will be released over the coming days.
Jamie Walter, Proven Thoroughbreds
“The Pattern system is the basis under which horse racing is graded internationally, for which, Australia is an increasingly integral part of. Clearly in a constantly evolving world, some races may become no longer worthy of black-type status due to a decline in a certain area.
"However lucrative new pop-up style races are, and no one is disputing the enormous prizemoney benefit, none-the-less should have to earn their black type status in the same manner in which the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did by producing a consistent flow of winners and fields that were commensurate with stakes winners.”
Jamie Walter | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
John O'Shea, John O'Shea Racing
“The Pattern Committee is critical but the problem is it has been politicised on a state basis. I don’t think some of them would be qualified to know what they are judging. There is no trainer representative. Trainers provide the horses, trainers understand the form, yet there is no national representative on the committee.
"For one, there are too many Group 1 races and too many Group 1s that are not a grand final. There is a proliferation of 1400 metre Group 1s at the start of a season. It’s farcical.
"I hate seeing Group 1s at the start of the season. They are irrelevant – not genuine Group 1 races. Whilst other races which have great relevance to our bloodstock, like the Matriarch S. at the end of the season should be Group 1.
"I hate seeing Group 1s at the start of the season. They are irrelevant – not genuine Group 1 races." - John O'Shea
"Victoria thinks it has exclusivity for the spring period of racing. They don’t. October to November is the best time to race horses, it’s not exclusive to one state.
"You have to lay the ground rules. The conversation is a waste of time until the issues are fundamentally acknowledged by all parties.
"They’ve got the right person in charge now (of Racing Australia). John (Messara) understands the importance of The Pattern Committee.”
John O'Shea | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Wayne Hawkes, Hawkes Racing
“Pedigree dictates what you pay for a horse. There are two main investment drivers to consider – type and pedigree - but it’s the pedigree and associated black type that dictates the price.
"If the horse is out of a Group 1 winner or a half to a Group 1 winner, you pay a premium.
"That alone proves The Pattern is important.
"Should they (Pattern Committee) be meeting? Absolutely - the backbone of a yearling sale is the currency of a pedigree page.”
Wayne Hawkes | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Arthur Mitchell, Yarraman Park
“We can’t live without it. I’m a huge fan of The Pattern system.
"Notwithstanding the drama recently, on the whole, The Pattern gives us the mechanism as breeders we need.”
Harry, Bill and Arthur Mitchell | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the the publishers of Thoroughbred Daily News AusNZ.
This letter was written in response to an article in TDN AusNZ's Wednesday edition, The ongoing challenge of The Pattern.
