The new membership year starts 1 September each year. To keep up with whats happening with current information, NEWSLETTERS and the Australasian Standardbred Stallion Guide, make sure you are a current WASBA MEMBER!! .
If you have a filly or mare or are interested in breeding, join WASBA. Go to our Membership Page for further information or for the online application form. Meetings are generally monthly on the last Wednesday of the month – member input is welcome!.
THE RACING SEASON is now a calendar year – your horse will retain its current racing age until 1 January 2025 and will be handicapped and programmed accordingly. This means you will have an extra 4 months (September to December) of racing your 2yo as a 2yo, and your 3yo as a 3yo
UPCOMING EVENTS – Watch out for these!
- THE WASBA STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE IS COMING – STAY TUNED
- $30,000 3YO Westsired Classics are on 4 July
- $30,000 4YO/5YO Westbred Winter Restricted Feature is on 4 July – not eligible winners of races with stakes over $30,000
- John Higgins Memorial Heats at Northam (12 July) Bunbury (19 July) and Narrogin (26 July), $50,000 Final on 1 August
- the $14,000 2025 Narrogin Salutes Red Vicar Westsired Pace is on 5 July – Westsired Westbred progeny who have not won a race over $21,000 as a 3yo or older
- $30,000 Mares – non winners of races over $30,000 on 25 July
- $30,000 WASBA 4YO/5YO Mares – non winners of races over $30,000 on 8 August
- $100,000 2YO Fillies Diamond Classic on 8 August, along with a Consolation if enough acceptors
- Numerous other feature races across most clubs at all stakes levels – click here for the preliminary calendar for July to December 2025
WANT TO GET INVOLVED? – NOTHING BEATS THE EXCITEMENT
Some vendors may still have stock available from the 2025 WA APG Yearling Sale as well as others that for various reasons couldnt make the sale ring. Some may have had some education since the Sale. Great opportunity to get one from one of our top breeders.
Dont forget that progeny of the WA based stallions Captain Ahab USA, Renaissance Man, Fly Like An Eagle, Shoobees Place USA and Advance Attack NZ are all eligible for the double Westbred Win Bonus!
To see a list of major vendors click here .
You can also check out Harnessweb and HRA’s website for a list of trainers who may have shares available in horses or check the Facebook page of WA Harness Racing Trader
Want some useful information about ownership and other aspects of the industry? There is a great little publication put out by RWWA that covers lots of things you might like to know about owning, breeding and racing in the harness industry in WA.
Click here to read or download the brochure.
THINGS TO NOTE
The WA HWOE Handicapping system was replaced by the National Rating System on 1 January 2025. We encourage you to put forward any issues or concerns – they cannot be addressed without your input.
Changes to the rule on free returns -free returns are now added to the 150 Australian stallion cap (with conditions) commencing with mares served in the 2023 season.
The Westbred Bonus improvements include a first time starter bonus of $500 for the first career start (if in WA) for your Westbred foal. That’s a minimum payment of $650 on your Westbred foal’s first lifetime start – regardless of placing. Over $3.75 million in bonuses were paid in 2024 ($3.65 in 2023).
Westbred Bonuses – click here for the new levels that apply to Westbred foals born from the 2020 season onwards, or click on the image on the left to read the brochure.
Westbred progeny now have $215,000 2YO, $100,000 3YO and $100,000 4YO feature races split by sex! Heats for the 2YO, 3YO and 4YO Classics will be run in August with a WA raceday in September for the Finals
Contact WASBA for any assistance with your breeding plans, or if you are seeking a mare to lease for the season
Did you win a $500 service fee voucher for this season from WASBA? Dont forget to claim – contact us info@wasba.com.au if you are unsure what to do.
WASBA ANNUAL BREEDING AWARDS
(February 2025) Every year WASBA provides awards to recognise the amazing effort of our WA breeders to keep our industry running, providing the racing pools for future seasons and taking on all comers throughout the year.
The awards for the 2024 season were presented at the annual WASBA Awards APG Sales Classic function on the 2025 Sales Classic night where the best of the 2YOs and 3YOs racing in WA were rewarded with $125,000 2YO races and $100,000 3YO races by sex.
Starting with the major breeders (and considerable thanks to our newest Life Member Denise Trobe for her Facebook post):
WA BREEDER of the YEAR: Bob and Marilyn Fowler –Allwood Stud for the remarkable 142 starters, 85 winners of 177 races and 459 places for $1,809,354, as managing breeder. There were three Group or Listed races amongst those wins. This Award also included 2 and 3 YO Stallion of the Year Rock N Roll World USA, and Overall Stallion Of The Year the Australian bred FLY LIKE AN EAGLE.
BREEDING FOR EXCELLENCE: Kevin and Annette Charles – for 59 starters, 41 winners of 82 races and 202 places with prizemoney $1,325,421 including Belly Up, Lavra Joe, Wonderful To Fly, Machlani, Lion Queen, Middlepage, Queeninthecorner, & Crowd Control.
BREEDING FOR EXCELLENCE – SPECIAL MENTION: Dennis and Dot Roche – 8 starters 6 winners of 21 races and 16 places $352,780 including Reinette and Bettagetonpip.
WA BROODMARE OF THE YEAR: BREEDER: Kevin and Annette Charles – for THATS THE SPIRIT with 5 Australian starters in 2024, 4 of them winners with 10 wins 1 Group 1 win, 3 Metro and $226,238 prizemoney. Winners included, Belly Up, Middlepage, Lets Rock Tonight, Spiritofanangel.
WA HORSE OF THE YEAR: NEVER ENDING: BREEDER: Steve Johnson – winner Group 2 $100,000 Westbred Classic, $50,000 Winter Cup, $50,000 Preux Chevalier Pace.
WA MARE of the YEAR: ZEPHYRA:BREEDER: Marie and Jesse Moore Winner Group 2 $100,000 Westbred Mares Classic
WA 2YO C/G of the YEAR: BELLY UP: BREEDER: Kevin and Annette Charles–Winner $215,000 Group 1 2YO C&G Westbred Classic, 2nd Group 2 Pearl Classic.
WA 2YO FILLY of the YEAR: REINETTE: BREEDER: Dennis and Dot Roche – Winner $215,000 Group 1 2YO Fillies Westbred Classic, $50,000 Group 3 2YO Champagne Classic, 2nd $150,000 Group 1 Golden Slipper .
WA 3YO C/G of the YEAR: BET THE HOUSE: BREEDER: Karnup Racing Pty Ltd Colleen Lindsay – Winner Group 2 $100,000 C&G 3YO Westbred Classic, Group 3 $50,000 Caduceus Classic, $50,000 3YO APG Gold Bullion.
WA 3YO FILLY of the YEAR: WATER LOU: BREEDER: KTC Bloodstock (Kody Charles), Kevin and Annette Charles: Winner $100,000 Group 2 3YO Fillies Westbred Classic, $50,000 APG Fillies Gold Bullion, $50,000 APG 3YO Fillies Sales Classic, $50,000 Group 3 Diamond Classic, $30,000 Daintys Daughter Country Classic.
Accepting the awards were (Left to right, top first) Bob and Marilyn Fowler, John Coffey (for Steve Johnson) Trevor Lindsay (for Karnup Racing), Kody and Annette Charles, Chris Voak for Dennis and Dot Roche and Kevin and Annette Charles, with WASBA President Jeanine Diederich.
Also recognised were our monthly award winners with (Left to Right, top first) Bianca Ashcroft, Tonia and Vance Stampalia, Kim Tuckey, Jemma Hayman, Hayley Moore for Marie and Jesse as winners of the Mare of the Year award, and Paula Petricevich all making the occasion memorable.
Congratulations to all our winners. You are all great contributors to harness racing in WA. We wish you every success in the future with your breeding and racing efforts.
HIGH IMPORTANCE COMING INTO SUMMER
In any year, coming into summer in Western Australia it is critical that you are prepared in the event of fire on or around your property. RWWA has prepared a bushfire emergency information kit, including key contacts and resources to assist in a bushfire crisis, as well as information for planning and returning to your property if you need to evacuate . Click here for the information kit.
RETIRING YOUR HORSE
Thinking of rehoming your standardbred in WA? Not quite sure what the rules are? RWWA have produced a retirement booklet to guide you with the process. The booklet includes a handy flowchart to assist with navigating the rules. Click here or the image on the left to access the booklet.
WASBA provides sponsorship to assist reputable rehomers, as well as sponsoring Off The Track events run by SPPHAWA, as well as subsidies for membership. SPPHAWA have produced a very useful “Track to Hack Show Guide” to assist owners with maintaining and presenting their horse.
SPONSORING RACES – REWARDING OWNERS 2024
Every year we make the effort to reward the breeders and owners of WA bred horses or mares so that they can succeed at a higher level. With the support of our sponsors we contribute to the racing success of our horses and mares.
(November 2024) $14,000 WASBA BOB HUMPHRIES MEMORIAL WESTBRED MARES – with great hospitality from the Bunbury Club. WASBA provides the rug, garland and trophy and supplements the stakes to $14,000. Another good field and another opportunity for the mares who have missed some of the bigger races earlier in their careers. with first and second favourite starting on the back line the winning drive by Kyle Symington take 4yo mare and favourite Get The Booth (Sweet Lou USA) to the lead and sprinting away in the last qtr to win by 9m in 1:59.5.
Trained by Ryan Bell who also trained her half brother, champion Shockwave (Mach Three CA) 1.53.4 $567,001 – the winner of 22 races including Group 1 4YO Golden Nugget, Group 2 4YO/5YO Championship and James Brennan Memorial, and first past the post in the 4YO Classic – Get The Booth is a full sister to champion filly Double Expresso 1.55.4 $328,034 whose 13 wins included the Group 1 2YO Fillies Sales Classic and 2YO Fillies Westbred Classic, Group 2 3YO Fillies Sales Classic and Daintys Daughter Classic, as well as a top class win in the Group 3 3YO Caduceus Club Classic. Their dam, WASBA
2018/19 Broodmare of the Year Here For The Money (Rich And Spoilt) 1:57.9 $81,874 is a daughter of the unraced Regal Castle (Safely Kept USA), who is a half sister to Duel Prince (Panorama USA) 1:57 $163,902. Their dam Duel Queen is a half sister to four good winners and is a full sister Queen Xena 2:02.7 $23,359 – the dam of multiple Group 1 winners Chariot King (Badlands Hanover USA) 1:51.3 $643,405 and Emjayem Grand (Bettors Delight USA) 1:49.6 $431,697 as well as other winners listed under WASBA 4YO/5YO Mares winner Rattlin Lilly, part of the Australian maternal line of Wickaway.
(August 2024) $30,000 WASBA COUNTRY OAKS – for country trained WA bred 3yo fillies. WASBA provides the rug, garland and trophy and initially supplemented stakes. A race WASBA initiated to ensure country trained fillies had opportunity to win a higher stakes race. Bred and part owned by Kim Tuckey and trained and driven by Aiden de Campo, the Oaks distance isn’t an easy task but winner Miss Hepburn (Ultimate Machete NZ) showed her class to work to the lead over the 2569m to win by 2m in 2:01.7 in wintry conditions.
Miss Hepburn is the second winner from her non winning dam Montanas Smile (Grinfromeartoear USA) including Bolta (Betterthancheddar) 1:57.7 11 wins $97,606. Montanas Smile is a half sister to the dam of good winner Navy Street (Hes Watching USA) 1:55.8 142 wins $140,931, The granddam of Montanas Smile is a full sister to Victorian Oaks winner Montana Anna (Mystical Prince USA) 1:59 $230,863 and half sister to Group 1 Golden Slipper winner Aikido Whitby (Life Sign USA) 1:55.2 $270,328,1:55.2 $270,328, their dam being the Group 1 Golden Slipper, Pearl and Diamond winner Whitbys Merit (French Chef USA), a daughter of good racemare and champion broodmare Remit (Out To Win USA).
(August 2024) $30,000 WASBA 4YO/5YO MARES – WASBA provides the trophy. Another WASBA initiated race, for 4yo or 5yo mares that have not won a Group or Listed race. Rob Gartrell was the proud owner breeder of winning 5yo Rattlin Lilly (Always B Miki USA) who started from outside the front line. Driver Deni Roberts took her time while the others were running a 35 lead, made her move with 500 to go, won the battle down the straight to win by a head in 1:55.9.
Rattlin Lilly is the first foal and one of 3 winners from her metropolitan winning dam Baileys Gold NZ (Bettors Delight USA) 1:54.7 12 wins $74,019, who was imported to WA as a 3yo by the Gartrell family and initially trained by Greg and Skye Bond. Baileys Gold is a full sister to Baileys Rock 1:50.1 $205,565 – their granddam Black Eyed Bailey NZ (Holmes Hanover USA) won over $77,000 in the 90s. They belong to the Wickaway (Stormyway) arm of the Australian maternal line of Countess Brun, who produced good WA race mares Brunette, Mystical Rose and Brunnehilde in the 60s. The exported arm of this family through Wickaway daughter Taurus Lady (Overtrick USA) has produced Group 1 winners Kingstar (Panorama USA) 1:50.4 $758,505, Its Only Rocknroll (Rocknroll Hanover USA) 1:50.4 $586,598, brothers Chariot King (Badlands Hanover) 1:51.3 $643,405 and Emjayem Grand (Bettors Delight) 1:49.6 $431,697, and WA bred Shockwave and Double Expresso.
(August 2024) $14,000 WASBA/ALLWOOD STUD VIRGIL QUEEN CELEBRATION WESTBRED MARES PACE – another excellent night of racing at the Northam track, with WASBA providing the rug, trophy and garland as well as supplementing the stakes to $14,000. The 2024 Harry Capararo 4YO/5YO Mares winner Sweet Vivienne (Sweet Lou USA) made the most of the opportunity for a country trip with a win, after starting from 5, working to the front and doing a fast last half in 57.6 to record another feature win, this time by 7.2m for driver Shannon Suvaljko on Sweet Vivienne.
Bred, trained and part owned by Paula, Sweet Vivienne is the first foal from the unraced Quite A Sensation (Yankee Sensation USA) – also bred by the Petricevich family.
This is the maternal line of Trixie Milne who produced New Zealand Oaks winner Ar Miss (Armbro Del USA) and her half sister Bonny Milne, the ancestress of Sweet Vivienne. This is the same family as champion NZ Cup and Auckland Cup winner Armalight (Timely Knight USA) – and all the Armas – as well as Majestic Mach 1:53.9 $796,397, Ohoka Punter NZ 1:52.4 $1,177,323 and many more.
(July 2024) $14,000 NARROGIN REMEMBERS RED VICAR WESTSIRED PACE – run at Narrogin, the second of our two newest races. WASBA provides the trophy, rug and garland and Narrogin Race and Pace supplements the stakes to make a $14,000 race. Another excellent race and good driving characterised the inaugural $14,000 Narrogin Remembers Red Vicar Westsired Pace, with the Gary Hall Snr trained favourite Velocipede (Fly Like An Eagle) expertly driven by Stewie McDonald after starting favourite from inside the back line, swept to the lead inside the 400m to record a 7m win in 2:00.8.
Bred by Kevin and Annette Charles, Velocipede is the younger full brother of champion filly/mare Wonderful To Fly 1:53.6 $836,032, out of the unraced Not Now Delilah (Allamerican Ingot USA) who is a half sister to Jumbo Operator (Armbro Operative USA) 1:57 $313,175 winner of 19 of his first 23 starts, dual Group 1 winner Getaway Plan (Parsons Den USA), Tubbs Farquhar (Mach Three CA) the winner of 16 races and $114,691 and Aqueensomewhere (Somebeachsomewhere USA) 1:57.3 $44,768 who is the dam of Group 1 winner and RWWA and WASBA 2024 2YO Filly of the Year Reinette (Vincent) 1:56.3 $223,168. Not Now Delilah’s dam Queen Delilah (Orange Sovereign USA) 2:01.1 10 wins $66,421 is a granddaughter of Daintys Last (Frosty Nelson) the half sister to champion and and Hall Of Fame mare Daintys Daughter.
(June 2024) $14,000 WASBA TRIBUTE TO COLOR GLO WESTBRED MARES – run at Narrogin, one of our two newest races. WASBA provides the trophy, rug and garland and $3,000 in stakes. Trainer driver Dylan Egerton-Green took 5yo mare Champagne Everyone (Shadow Play USA) on a successful run down to Narrogin, started brilliantly from 5 and after a short tussle went straight to the lead, staying there for the duration to win by 1.2m.
Champagne Everyone was bred by her owners Oz-West Pacing, Morris, Eaton and Richards. She is a half sister to the very promising Nase Vera (Alta Christiano NZ) 1:55 $92,488. Their dam Sovereign Faith NZ (Live Or Die USA) 1:53.6 $132,719 did her early racing in NSW before coming to WA. Other winners from the family include Group 2 Newcastle Mile winner Saucy Legend 1:51.6 $435,386 and Livura 1:56.4 $261,006, both by Live Or Die USA.
Thanks to the Narrogin Club, especially Manager Cathi Trefort and President Kevin Timms (right), for making this race possible.
(June 2024) $50,000 Group 3 KERRY CLARKE MARES – in recognition of former WASBA President Kerry Clarke who worked tirelessly for the breeding industry in WA. WASBA provides the trophy, rug and garland. Starting from inside the back line, WA bred 5yo Acharne Girl (Alta Christiano NZ) won an epic dual down the straight against her stablemate and race favourite to win by by a half head in 1:56.3, last half 56.7 with Stewie McDonald taking the driving honours.
Owned by two of her breeders the late Beth Richardson and, Garry Ralston, Acharne Girl is out of WA raced Slick Bird NZ (Bettors Delight USA) 1:55.7 $89,999 she is one of 5 winners from 5 foals from her highly successful dam, others being her full brothers While They Pray 1:54.7 $185,868 and Faster Than Dad 1:55.5 $141,870 and half sister Slick Artist (Art Major USA) 1:52.0 $404,531 and the newest winner by Vincent with 4 wins from 4 starts. It’s a very winning family – Slick Bird NZ is one of 5 winners – including High Courage NZ (Courage Under Fire NZ) 1:53.4 $143,950 – from her winning dam Whos The Bird NZ (Falcon Seelster USA), who is out of top Australian bred filly Donna Who (Golden Greek USA) 1:57.1 $244,668 who in turn is out of Group 1 Oaks winning filly Girl Called Destiny (Fast Knight USA). Others in the close up family include standouts It Is I (Golden Greek USA) 1:56.4 $208,575, Group 1 winner La Sperenza (Whats Next USA), Group 1 winner Armida (Safely Kept USA) 1:59.1 $159,285 and Caesar Augustus (Bettors Delight USA) 1:54.5 $223,741.
(May 2024) $30,000 HARRY CAPARARO WESTBRED MARES – WASBA provides the trophy. Another WASBA initiated race, for those Westbred mares that have not won a Group or Listed race. Enjoying the sit behind the leader until the 450m, breeder, trainer and part owner Paula Petricevich had success with her 4yo mare Sweet Vivienne (Sweet Lou USA) going on to a good win by 2.3m in 1:55.7. Sweet Vivienne is the first foal from her unraced dam Quite A Sensation (Yankee Sensation USA), who was also bred by the Petricevich family. The service fee to Sweet Lou USA was a raffle prize!
(May 2024) $50,000 WASBA BREEDERS STAKES – A TOP class field of mares at Gloucester Park, with NZ mare Aardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside USA) the winner, having won the Group 2 $75,000 Empress Stakes a fortnight earlier in 1:54.6 at her first start in WA. A winner of the Group 1 $175,000 New Zealand Oaks, Aardiebytheseaside led over the 2130m to win by 5.4m in 1:56.1, with final qtrs of 28.4 and 27.8.
The unraced dam of Aardiebytheseaside in Divine (Christian Cullen NZ) is a full sister to the dam of Mitch Maguire (Sportswriter USA) 1:50.2 $375,848 and a half sister to the granddam of inaugural Nullarbor winner Betterzippit NZ (Betterthancheddar USA) 1:48.6 $653,142. Sokys Sunday (Sokys Atom USA) the non winning dam of Divine NZ, is a full sister to Spirit Of Beth NZ (granddam of Lazarus NZ), Spirit Of Bethlehem and Star Of Bethlehem NZ. Through these mares Dracarys NZ 1:51.2 $211,371 and her half brothers El Chema NZ and Spirit Of St Louis NZ (Sweet Lou NZ) 1:48.2 $1,478,266. as well as 2020 Group 1 Fremantle Cup winner Caviar Star (Betterthancheddar USA) 1:54.2 $362,582 and his half brother the New Zealand champion Self Assured NZ (Bettors Delight USA) 1:50.3 $2,410,066 have resulted.
(Apr 2024) $14,000 WASBA KING-LETHBRIDGE MEMORIAL WESTBRED MARES – at Pinjarra, with 4yo maiden mare The Wand Waver (Control The Moment USA) expertly driven by Shannon Suvaljko for Moomba Standardbreds owners Gary and Deb Jones (below), sliding up the sprint lane to win by 2.7m in 1:58.7.
Bred by Kevin Charles and KTC Bloodstock, The Wand Waver is the 5th foal and 4th winner from her dam Cleopatra (Village Jasper USA) with other winners including Beach Goddess (Somebeachsomewhere USA) 16 wins $138,178. The family also includes good winning full brothers Safari Breeze 1:55.4 $176,150 and Captain Kalahari (Albert Albert USA) 1:57.2 $195,926, and Bella Bronski (Major Bronski) 1:54.8 $88,326.
WASBA providing the rug, trophy and garland, with great support from the Pinjarra Club, particularly President Barry Warwick (left) and Manager Dale Putland
(Apr 2024) $35,000 RACE FOR ROSES – a LISTED race previously named the Laurie Kennedy Race for Roses in memory of our great friend Laurie, who now has a Group 3 race named for him.
Recipient of the WASBA trophy and garland, a good finish for 4yo mare Turn The Page NZ (Vincent) resulted in a narrow but strong win in the Race For Roses, after starting on the inside of the 10m line in the traditional stand event over 2503m, rating 1:59.7. Driven by Deni Roberts (pictured) and trained by Greg and Skye Bond, it was her 9th win from 15 starts.
Turn The Page’s dam Sheza Monkee NZ (Sands A Flyin USA) is a full sister to champion Monkey King 1:50.8 $3,332,513 and belongs to the same family as Galactic Star, Iraklis, and many other champions.
In WA, Turn The Page won the $50,000 Daintys Daughter Classic as a 3yo and was placed 2nd in the $150,000 WA Oaks. She has gone on to produce good wins in the US and has won close to $200,000 in that country.
SPECIAL BONUS DRAWS!
(30 September 2024) In 2023 and 2024 if you participated in the WASBA Raffle or WASBA Stallion Tender, were a WASBA member in August and paid your forthcoming membership fee in September of the relevant year, you were eligible for one of 10 $500 stallion service fee vouchers drawn in each of those years to be used (in that season) at studs that supported WASBA with the Raffle or Tender. Congratulations to those breeders who won one of the available vouchers. For the 2024 winners click here. For the 2023 winners click here. Please note, vouchers were expected to be used in the nominated year – if you were unable to do so and there were extenuating circumstances, please contact us.
WASBA STALLION TENDER
(30 September 2024) We thank all breeders who submitted a Tender for our 2024 Stallion Tender. A new Stallion Tender will open in August 2025.
Subsequent to the 2024 Stallion Tender, lucky recipients of $500 Service fee vouchers, rewarding members for their support of WASBA in the Stallion Raffle and Stallion Tender were drawn. See the links above for the names of the lucky winners. Vouchers were available for use on stallions standing at Allwood Stud WA, Alabar Victoria, Llowalong Farms Vic, Tourello Standardbreds, Westbred Pacing WA,Woodlands Stud NZ as well as for services by Advance Attack NZ (Shanks Standardbreds WA), Foreclosure NZ (Frozen semen KTC Bloodstock WA) and Shockwave (Bells Pacing Stable WA).
WASBA 2024 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(01 Sep 2024) The Raffle was drawn on Friday 30 August at Gloucester Park following the running of the $50,000 Binshaw Classic. The raffle was drawn by Gloucester Park’s Barry McKenna.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed by purchasing a ticket. The raffle is a great way to start the breeding season and we sincerely appreciate everyone’s support for the raffle and WASBA. The winner was:
- First Prize – Gordon and Carol Day (ticket number 171)
Subsequent to the Raffle, two $1,000 stallion service voucher prizes were drawn from ticket holders who were WASBA members at close of raffle. The winners of the vouchers, for use on service fees in the 2024 season at WASBA supported studs were:
- ticket 106 Joe Schaper.
- ticket 208 Chris and Deb Lewis.
$500 stallion service fee vouchers, for members who participated in either the raffle or Stallion Tender, have been drawn from 2023/24 members who paid 2024/25 membership (due 1 September 2024) by 30 September 2024.
SPONSORING RACES – REWARDING OWNERS 2023
We want our breeders and owners of our WA bred horses and mares to succeed and we put our money (with the gracious support of our sponsors) right where it can be counted.
(Nov 2023) WASBA BOB HUMPHRIES MEMORIAL – a $14,000 race to honour the memory of one of our great contributors – Bob Humphries, who was a leading owner and breeder in New South Wales before venturing west in 1981, moving his entire racing and breeding operation, including 116 horses, on a special train across the Nullabor to a new stud farm at Northcliffe. From here he spent the next 14 years promoting and supporting breeding in Western Australia under the name of Trunkey Standardbreds, which became so prominent in breeding and on the racetrack in WA.
Bob died in 2010, but his legacy remains in the record books as the breeder of Derby winners Trunkey Sting and Trunkey Maserati, Oaks winner Ferrari Trunkey, and two Fremantle Cup winners in Trunkey Westerner and Trunkey Sting, He also bred a number of classic winning 2 and 3yos including Trunkey Jaguar, Butterfly Trunkey, Taipan Trunkey, Trunkey Gold and Trunkey Limousine. Trunkey Gold was the dam of Australian 2yo Pacer of the Year Mazzini Magic, and Butterfly Trunkey was the dam of dual Australian Aged Mare of the Year Tailamade Lombo.
Run in November at Bunbury our latest event saw our first dual winner!
She was second favourite last year when she won after starting from barrier 1, but in 2023 it was massive odds of 70/1. Fortunately horses cant read. Great drive by trainer driver Maddy Young to time her move perfectly from one out four back at the bell, follow a nice move, avoid tiring leaders and charge home for the win.
Bred by KTC Bloodstock and Kevin Charles, her dam Generally Outspoken (Mach Three CA) 1:59.4 won nearly $70,000 from 8 wins including the Group 3 2YO Fillies Gold Bracelet. Generally Outspoken has produced 3 winners from her 3 foals of racing age, including Whataretheodds (Betting Line USA) 1:55.5 $87,840 and promising 2YO winner Marbeechsam. Generally Outspoken is a full sister to Machs Gold 1:54.3 $131,200 and a half sister to Missinmemate 1:54.5 $104,096 and champion mare Spellbound (Art Major USA) 1:50.1 $382,155 who was originally selected for the inaugural NZ slot race, the $900,000 The Race by Grins but was injured before she could take her place. Nice family.
FEATURE JUVENILE RACES
As a result of the extension of the racing season, most of the Western Australian juvenile feature races have been moved by RWWA to the latter part of the year. If you have any suggestions about the placement of some feature races to provide a better outcome for you and your horse, or to ensure better racing opportunities for you, please forward to info@wasba.com.au
YES YES YES ITS A MARE!
(2 Sep 2023) Well what a delightful surprise to those that created the “stallion race”. An Australian bred mare by a US sire from a New Zealand bred dam, and the only mare in the race, is the inaugural winner of The Eureka. Congratulations to owner breeder Tyson Linke for breeding the South Australian mare Encipher, and to Aaron Bain Racing and Summit Bloodstock for having the courage to select a mare as their runner, something we struggle to get adminstrators to accept in premium races across Australia.
Encipher was a deserving winner, settling one out two back in running before running down breeze horse Leap To Fame, whose efforts were also exceptional, in the straight to win by 1.7m in 1:51.8 over the 2400m, final qtrs in 28.1, 26.5 and 27.1.
Encipher is from the maternal line of imported US mare Estalla Amos and while her dam Our Cavort NZ (Falcon Seelster USA) was no champion on the track she is a half sister to a 1:51.1 winner in the US and her granddam is a half sister to Percy The Punter 1:56.4 $332,037. When you look further, horses of the calibre of Seel N Print (Falcon Seelster USA) 1:50.2 $676,568, The Falcon Strike (Falcon Seelster) 1:54.5 $1,224,094 and many other top flight horses are visible. This is a predominantly NZ family mixed with US blood – we rely on the mixing of all the best blood to create our top horses and future broodmares.
BUSY BUSY BUSY TIME OF YEAR
(30 Aug 2023) With the breeding season just arrived it has been a very busy time for WASBA in the lead up. In late June we presented our trophy, rug and garland on track to Shane Young (bottom right) and some of the excited connections of Westsired mare Wonderful To Fly (Fly Like An Eagle) for her win in the Group 3 $50,000 Kerry Clarke Mares. More presentations followed in the next two weeks, this time the sashes and rosettes for the Westsired Classic winners Chief Copy – bottom middle – and I Cross My Heart (both by the deceased My Hard Copy NZ),and Skylord (Fly Like An Eagle) – top left – Fly To Fame (by Allwood Stud owned Follow The Stars) – bottom left.
Next up in mid July was the opening of our super raffle, with the winner drawn 18 August – congratulations to the very lucky Liam O’Connor (pictured above, top right) who won a service to world best Bettors Delight USA, with special thanks to Woodlands Stud for providing the exceptional raffle prize. Three lucky WASBA members also received $1,000 in stallion service vouchers to use this breeding season.
In between was the presentation of the trophy to the winning connections (pictured above, bottom middle) of Cyclone Charlotte NZ (by the aforementioned Bettors Delight USA) after winning the $30,000 WASBA 4YO/5YO Pace. It is always rewarding to be there for these wins as they promise so much for the future of our breeding heritage. Off to Northam on 19th August for one of the regular WASBA Westbred mare’s races, the $14,000 WASBA/Allwood Stud Virgil Queen Celebration Pace, won by “local” trainer Ian Foley’s Sweet Lou USA mare Dame Valour, for a bunch of very happy owners (pictured above, top middle) who were on course for the win and the presentation of the rug, trophy and garland. WASBA supplements the stakes for this and the similar races to ensure the mares get a suitable reward.
The $30,000 Country Oaks on 30 August at Bunbury, won by Barry Howlett’s Flametree (Huntsville USA) rounds out this “giving and receiving” period except for the WASBA Stallion Tender, which offered a great line up of stallions covering all the great sire lines and some super maternal lines and were provided by Alabar, Allwood Stud, Cobbitty Equine, KTC Bloodstock, Llowalong Farms, Shanks Standardbreds, Soho Standardbreds and Westbred Pacing.
AND, one last thing – anyone who was a WASBA member in the 2022/23 season and paid their membership before 30 September 2023 for the season starting 1 September 2023, and either purchased raffle tickets or participated in the Stallion Tender, went into a draw for 1 of 10 $500 stallion service fee vouchers to be used in the 2023 season on stallions standing at one of the studs that supported WASBA in the 2023 Stallion Raffle or Stallion Tender.
Of course, none of this could occur without the support of our members and our sponsors including the above studs and Woodlands Stud.
WASBA 2023 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(19 Aug 2023) The Raffle was drawn on Friday 18 August at Gloucester Park in between the $50,000 San Simeon and the $100,000 Diamond Classic for 2yo fillies.
The raffle was drawn by Gloucester Park Committee member and Vice President Gino Monaco.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed. WASBA is very appreciative of breeders who support the WASBA Stallion Service Raffle and the Studs who provide the prizes. The winner was:
- First Prize – Liam O’Connor (ticket number 196)
Subsequent to the Raffle, three $1,000 voucher stallion service voucher prizes were drawn from ticket holders who were WASBA members. The winners of the vouchers, for use on service fees in the 2023 season at WASBA supported studs were
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Kody Charles (ticket number 121)
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Shane Quadrio (ticket number 182)
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Kevin Strahan and Gary McRae (ticket number 001)
We sincerely thank the Studs involved with our Raffle and (forthcoming) Stallion Tender for their generous contribution. Woodlands Stud provided our exciting Raffle prize this year, a service to Bettors Delight for the 2023 season. Congratulations to all our winners,
Ticket purchasers, as well as those who participate in the Stallion Tender who are also members at 30 September will be included in 10 $500 Stallion Service voucher draws for use in the 2023 season at studs that supported WASBA during the 2023 season. Contact WASBA for the list if unsure.
WASBA 2022 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(26 Aug 2022) The Raffle was drawn on Friday at Gloucester Park immediately after the exciting 2YO $100,000 Pearl Classic.
The raffle was drawn by Gloucester Park Committee member Gary Scott.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed. WASBA is very appreciative of breeders who support the WASBA Stallion Service Raffle and the Studs who provide the prizes. The winners were:
- First Prize – Mike Howie, WA (ticket number 060)
- Second Prize – Wayne Morrison, WA (ticket number 075)
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Gary Newton, SA (ticket number 100)
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Lynley Howlett, WA (ticket number 134)
- $1,000 Voucher Prize – Kerrie Hymers, Tas (ticket number 128)
We sincerely thank the Studs involved with our Raffle for their generous contribution. The Stud Farms who contributed to our Raffle this year were Alabar (Art Major USA), Northern Rivers/Llowalong Farms (Century Farroh Ca) and Allwood Stud (Fly Like An Eagle).
Money raised from the Stallion Raffle and our other initiatives supported by our sponsors results in WASBA being able to provide over $20,000 in stakes subsidies, breeding vouchers, awards, race winner rugs, trophies and garlands and rehoming support per season.
WASBA 2021 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(21 Aug 2021) The Raffle was drawn on Saturday at Northam before the running of the feature race for the night, the WASBA Allwood Stud Farm Virgil Queen Celebration Pace, brilliantly won by the up and coming Alta Cinderella (Alta Christiano). A brilliant 27.7 3rd quarter set up the win.
The raffle was drawn by Northam Committee member Helen Miller.
A big thank you to everyone who contributed. The winners were:
- First Prize – Peter Campbell, QLD (ticket number 048) selecting Sweet Lou USA
- Second Prize – Jim Currie, WA (ticket number 098)
- Third Prize – Barb King, WA (ticket number 122)
- Fourth Prize – Phil Costello, WA (ticket number 082)
WASBA 2020 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(16 Aug 2020) The Raffle was drawn on Friday after we witnessed another top class running, and the second running, of the $30,000 WASBA 4YO and 5YO Mares Pace, brilliantly won by Westsired 4yo mare My Prayer (Renaissance Man, who has just relocated to stand in NSW for the coming season but is still availabe in our Stallion Tender).
But back to the raffle. A big thank you to everyone who contributed. The winners were:
- First Prize – Zoe Ellis, WA (ticket number 157) selecting Poster Boy
- Second Prize – Colin Belton, WA (ticket number 072)
- Third Prize Shane Hawes, Tasmania (ticket number 141)
- Fourth Prize – Tim Blee, WA (ticket number 019)
WASBA 2019 STALLION SERVICE RAFFLE RESULTS
(16 August 2019) A big THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Raffle with First Prize a choice between a free service (service fee only) to Sweet Lou USA or Rock N Roll World USA. Second prize was a free service by the remaining stallion after the First Prize winner had made their choice. WASBA members who bought a ticket also were eligible for two further prizes, both $1.000 vouchers to be used towards any stallion available (at time of booking) at Allwood Stud or Woodlands Stud. All prizes were for use in the 2019/20 season. The winners were drawn on Friday 16 August at Gloucester Park, just after the presentation of the trophy for the $30,000 WASBA 4YO and 5YO Mares Pace. The winners were:
- First Prize – Barry Bottams from Mildura, Victoria – ticket number 45;
- Second Prize – Bianca Ashcroft from Collie, Western Australia – ticket number 1
- $1000 Voucher Prizes – Jim Currie Western Australia – ticket number 123, John Coffey Western Australia – ticket number 33.
FREE MARES, Mares for LEASE, or SALE?? If you are a member and have a mare available FREE for sale or lease, or want a mare for breeding purposes, contact WASBA with all the details.
CAN YOU MAKE A DIFFERENCE? Click here and contact any current committee member and discuss how you can help breeding in WA. The WASBA Committee meets monthly.
Our COMMITTEE MEETINGS are usually held on the last Wednesday of each month at 6pm, except for the Christmas/New Year period and when the meeting is deferred for unexpected events. We are currently holding our meetings by teleconference and you are welcome to join in as a guest. If you would like to raise any issues for discussion or comment regarding any aspect of the breeding industry, please contact us by:
Sending an email to info@wasba.com.au
Write to WASBA at PO Box 3237 East Perth WA 6892
Contact any committee member. Click here for a list of Committee members.
