Champion Sire In The Pocket dies aged 23

In The Pocket, the stallion bred by Brittany Farms in the USA who came to New Zealand in 1993 and revolutionised our harness racing breed has died. The outstanding son of Direct Scooter and Black Jade who won $1,537,473 on the race track in the US pacing 1.53.8 as a two-year-old, was put down at Wai Eyre Farm in North Canterbury and is buried there.  Click here to read the harnesslink.com article.

Crosses of Gold
Statistics including Crosses of Gold

All historical statistics can now be found on the left hand navigation bar - under members information.  Or alternatively click here.

NZSBA policy on black type

The New Zealand Standardbred Breeders’ Association has developed and agreed upon a policy for black type. Black type is usually found in sales catalogues. It recognises mare that achieve above the industry standard. Almost all racing jurisdictions have been unable to agree to any  changes in the last 40 years – despite the 2.00 Mile Rate (MR) becoming commonplace these days.

PGG Wrightson wrote to NZSBA last year proposing significant changes to their policy for publishing black type in the sales catalogues.  PGG Wrightson believed that the current criteria did not reflect the modern standardbred. 

This policy was developed after extensive consultation with Harness Racing Industry including; HRNZ, PGG Wrightson, the three regional breeders associations and over 30 submissions received from harness racing participants.  The majority of submissions agreed that a change was needed to the 2.00.0 mile rate for pacers.  There were mixed opinions on total criteria.

PGG Wrightson’s proposal to shift the lifetime earnings bar from $100,000 to $500,000 was a stretch too far for most.  $200,000 has been nominated as a preferred level.  Whether a mare should be able to earn black type in a time trial caused significant debate.  The status quo will remain as there was a 50/50 split.  Time trial black type is indicated with the abbreviation ‘TT’. 

The NZSBA decided that if a policy was required some updating of times was necessary, but overall minimal change as to how black type is earned.  The NZSBA’s black type policy is as follows:
•    Group 1 win – BOLD CAPITAL TYPE
•    Group 1 place – Bold ordinary type
•    Group 2 or 3 win – Bold ordinary type
•    Total Stakes $200,000 or over – BOLD CAPITAL TYPE
•    Winning times NZ & AUS – Pacers MR 1.58.0 or faster, Trotters MR 2.00.0 or faster – BOLD CAPITAL
      TYPE
•    Winning times USA & CAN – Pacers MR 1.55.0 or faster, Trotters MR 1.58.0 or faster – BOLD CAPITAL
      TYPE
•    Time trials – Pacers MR  1.58.0 or faster, Trotters MR 2.00.0 or faster – bold ordinary type with (TT) against
      horse name

The NZSBA would like to stress that black type earned by a horse prior to 1st August 2010 will still remain.  Please note this is the NZSBA’s policy on black type for use in the Sires Register.   PGG Wrightson have not released their policy on Black Type for the sales catalogues at the time of writing. 

CSB Stallion Tender Form

Canterbury Standardbred Breeders' thanks Woodlands Stud for making two stallion services available to support Breeders Night, stakes at the NZMTC and the association. Services (semen only) are available to American Ideal and Pegasus Spur. You can download the tender form here. Tenders will close at 10pm Friday 17 September.

Future direction of NZ Racing

John Mooney, a former President of NZSBA and now Chairman of the Canterbury Affiliate undertook a close study of the One Racing proposal that was developed by the NZ Racing Board and NZ Thoroughbred Racing.  To read John Mooney's personal submission to the Hon. John Carter, Minister of Racing, click here.