Cover image courtesy of Silverdale Farm
Held on Thursday, July 24, the Southern Highlands breeding seminar was organised by the NSW Thoroughbred Breeders Association along with Silverdale Farm’s Academy. The seminar covered a huge range of topics from global changes to the wagering landscape, veterinary science and the latest research in several fields, sport science applications to training, taxation, and the educational, tourism and economic benefits to the Southern Highlands region of growing thoroughbred racing and breeding in the area.
“It was received exceptionally well, and we had over 70 registrations,” said Silverdale Academy’s Danielle Tiller.
“We had our fellow Southern Highland breeders in the room, as well as our speakers. We had Annabel Archibald, James Bester, and Arthur Inglis all there. Robbie Waterhouse spoke about the wagering landscape, and Gai Waterhouse was there as part of the Melbourne Cup tour.
“We covered a broad range of industry topics and we had several experts who were presenting about quite a high level of scientific innovation. We ran over the importance of breeding in the region and the economic value of what it brings in for the Southern Highland region.
Danielle Tiller | Image supplied
“We had some panel discussions on how we can bring more people and quality practitioners to our area to live in and to set up their businesses. It was a really broad overview of the whole industry and we hope to have it even bigger next year.”
A strong list of presenters
The presenters listed for the day’s proceedings were Dr Tate Morris from REC, Prof Chris Proudman, University of Surrey, UK (introduced by Dr Noelle Baxter), Robbie Waterhouse, Stephen Lamb, Horsepower, Dr Josie Hardwick, Murdoch University WA, Paul Carrazzo, Baumgartners, Katrina Anderson, Head of Sports Science, Ciaron Maher, Master Farrier Brad Hinze, James Bester, James Bester Bloodstock, Brigid Kennedy, Grow Southern Highlands, and Ben Holmes, Agriculture, Food & Animal Management.
“I spoke about how funding could be increased through changes to wagering models. I also quoted the Southern Highlands as a place that is particularly great to spell horses, because we have so much more rain and the soil is so nutritious,” said Rob Waterhouse who owns a farm in the region with his wife, Champion Trainer Gai Waterhouse.
Gai and Rob Waterhouse | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
“The Southern Highlands isn’t recognised as a place to breed stayers, but from my research, the Hunter Valley who dominates the industry with the number of yearlings bred has won 13 Melbourne Cups, and the Southern Highlands who are miniscule by comparison have won five, including Just A Dash trained by my late father-in-law.”
Just A Dash (Whisky Road {USA}) won the 1981 G1 Melbourne Cup, trained by TJ Smith. He was bred by Mr and Mrs I C Woodford-Smith. He died, aged 35, in 2012 and was at the time, the oldest living Melbourne Cup winner.
Strong collaboration the key to success
The event was organised by the Thoroughbred Breeders Assocation of NSW in conjunction with the Silverdale Academy, and was the first time the event had visited this region.
“We did this with the in collaboration with the Thoroughbred Breeders of New South Wales and they normally run some seminars with CSU in Wagga and another one up in Scone so we've been wanting to bring it down to the Southern Highlands region as well. It’s not all about the Hunter, there’s a really big industry within the Southern Highlands, and I worked with Kirsten Tydd at NSW breeders and they were excited to assist us in holding it this year, and we hope to do it again next year,” said Tiller.
“This was just an absolutely amazing event and we were just so pleased to assist with running it. We just had so much positive feedback.”
“This was just an absolutely amazing event (Breeders Seminar) and we were just so pleased to assist with running it. We just had so much positive feedback.” - Danielle Tiller
Silverdale Academy’s involvement
The Silverdale Academy was set up by Silverdale Farm to grow education in our industry and give school leavers another option for a career. “As you know there's a job shortage in our industry. There's always people looking for staff even though believe it or not, we are not on the government’s skill shortage list. The Silverdale Academy is trying to advocate to government to change that,” said Tiller.
Silverdale Academy's students in class | Image courtesy of Silverdale Academy
“I run the academy so it's something we're always trying to work on to change. We want to bring change for the education in this sector and I'm always lobbying government to try and get government to get funding so we can help grow. It's always an uphill battle.”
With various internships, the Silverdale Academy gives school leavers and industry employees a place to get started, as well as courses to deepen industry knowledge and learn about management.
