It is with pleasure that I present the 2009 annual report. Since the last Annual General Meeting the world has changed --- there has been a melt down financially for most countries which has affected businesses and the way people do their business. We have seen within this industry the studs adjusting their stallion fees with terms to suit the breeders. This has been done by price or terms of payment. It is vital that mares are bred to keep the industry viable. But there has been the good news. Our branch can feel proud to have had three horses run in the Melbourne Cup this year. They were Fiumicino, Roman Emperor and Kibbutz and all bred by members of our branch of the Thoroughbred Breeders. We congratulate Graham de Gruchy, Mick and Arthur Ormond and Laurence Redshaw. I do not believe it gets much better than this.

 

During the year Barbara Perry resigned from our committee to move to the Waikato. Barbara has had a lifetime involved within the industry as a breeder and was also a keen committee member. Barbara now resides in Matamata where she has many friends. She also agists her mares within the Waikato area so she will be able to inspect them without the travel she has had in the past. We thank Barbara for her help and advice whether it was running social events for members or at committee level.

 

On Saturday 27^th June our Branch hosted members of NZTBA in the VIP Lounge at the Hastings Races for the Premier Jumps Day.

 

The Annual Weanling Walk was held on Sunday 28^th June 2009. Properties visited included Guy and Bridget Lowry’s farm, Lime Country Thoroughbreds (Greg and Jo Griffin), Kevin and Sherrin Wood, Kay Cottle and Terry Coffey of Cottle Equestrian and John Bary at the old Sasanof stables. Over 100 people inspected the weanlings sired by a variety of stallions. The quality of the horses was excellent. The day finished with a luncheon at ‘Off the Track’.

 

On Friday 18^th September 2009, in conjunction with Hawkes Bay Racing and the Hawkes Bay Racehorse Owners we held the 2008-2009 Season Hawkes Bay and Poverty Bay Racing Awards at the Mission Estate Winery. Our guest speaker for the evening was Catriona Williams. Catriona spoke of her involvement with the Catwalk Trust. Her address to us was very moving and courageous. Catriona was thanked and described as a very gutsy lady.

 

 

The Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay Broodmare of the Year was won by Gussy Godiva. The Last Tycoon mare is the dam of Group 1 AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor; Listed Anzac Metric Mile winner Rios and 2 year old winner Volgus. Gussy Godiva went on to win the 2009 New Zealand Broodmare of the Year.

 

The Hawkes Bay Poverty Bay Breeder of the Year was won by Sue Harty. She had bred 10 horses winning 16 races during the season.

 

Group and Listed winners were:

Group 1   Fiumicino (Latte)

               Roman Emperor (Gussy Godiva)

Group 3   Old Belverdere (Censibelle)

Listed      Instructor (Excelo)

 

Prestige Jumping Winners were:

 

To all our members --- I wish you success with your breeding and racing ventures in the coming year.

 

Murray Brenton-Rule

15.12.2009