Declining foal crops and horse movement addressed at TBA annual general meeting

Challenges relating to the movement of people and horses and the declining British foal crop were among the subjects covered at the 104th Thoroughbred Breeders' Association's (TBA) annual general meeting, which was hosted online on Wednesday.

Both matters were discussed by Julian Richmond-Watson in his chairman's address, with the movement of people and horses, processes that have become more onerous and expensive since Britain left the European Union on January 31, highlighted as being of particular importance.

He said: "While our long-term aim must be to replicate, as closely as possible, the Tripartite Agreement that existed between us, France and Ireland, our focus is now to remove as many of the barriers to movement before the end of the year and the start of next year’s breeding season."

Knock-on consequences of declining foal crops, such as racing's appetite for more fixtures and larger field sizes going unfulfilled, were also discussed.

Richmond-Watson said: "We are world leaders in breeding and racing, but without substantial and focused financial uplift and support, the industry will decline and leave us all the poorer."

The address also covered the ongoing association with Weatherbys and the development of the ePassport and new apps to improve the lifetime traceability of thoroughbreds.

Richmond-Watson also spoke about the breeding industry's emergence from the pandemic and reaffirmed that strong sales are required to support the industry and give breeders confidence in their future plans. He noted that that there had not been a full recovery in foal numbers from the 2008 financial crisis, and further recent decline since 2018.

One initiative which is helping to support the industry is the Great British Bonus (GBB) scheme. Breeders, pinhookers, owners, trainers, jockeys and stable staff can all benefit and the chairman noted that it had "attracted great attention and is already producing results."

Kirsten Rausing: steps down as chair of the TBA veterinary committeeCredit: Edward Whitaker

The address closed with a message of thanks to payers of the sales levy and a reminder of the importance of breeders to the wider racing industry. Richmond-Watson said: "We are the British TBA and so your Thoroughbred Breeders' Association.

"While of course we work with our colleagues in Ireland, France and around the world, we must make sure that our industry at home is supported first.

"I make no apologies for reminding you, the government and the whole of the British horseracing industry, that without breeders producing foals to be the racehorses of the future, there is no racing, no crowds, and no industry."

Following Richmond-Watson's address, James O’Donnell, assistant director at Shadwell Stud and chair of the TBA's environmental sustainability working group, and Sarah Wynn, managing director at ADAS, informed attendees of the ongoing work of the group, including the methodology and headline findings from two recent environmental impact assessments and carbon calculations carried out on two stud farms.

This work will prove useful in developing further guidance for breeders surrounding carbon footprints and the new Environmental Land Management Scheme.

There were further presentations that provided updates and information on current issues by Sam Bullard, chair of the education committee, James Crowhurst, the in-coming chair of the veterinary committee, and from deputy chairman Philip Newton, on the GBB scheme.

In his address, Richmond-Watson also paid tribute to Peter Mendham, who was stepping down from the TBA Board following a ten-year period. Mendham remains a member of the Brexit Steering Group.

The chairman also acknowledged and thanked Kirsten Rausing for her commitment as chair of the veterinary committee, before welcoming Crowhurst as her replacement.

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