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Racing News |
Freedman Stresses Need to Support Breeders Financially
08/01/08
Outgoing TBA chairman Philip Freedman used his final speech to the Association’s AGM to emphasise the need to financially support those that produce the horses racing in Britain.
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"Overproduction may make it attractive for those who resent
what little financial help is given to British breeders to argue that
not only is there is no need for it, but also that, given the number
of foals born in Ireland, British racing does not even need a domestic
breeding industry," said Freedman, who has completed a five-year
term as TBA chairman.
"These are arguments which we must never fail to take issue with, for year in and year out around 40 per cent of horses raced here are owned by their breeders - if you lose those breeders over time you will lose those horses in training. Even if racing may, in the current climate, not need them it could not in perpetuity rely on Irish imports, particularly given that the cream of their crop is now retained to race at home."
Freedman added that the TBA had a special interest in the British Horseracing
Authority’s review of the fixture list.
"At a time when breeders are already suffering at the sales from
the consequences of over-production, any contraction in the size of the
fixture list is likely to intensify the problems we already face," he
added.
"That is not to say, however, that we should resist such a reduction, which is likely to be concentrated on races which are of the lowest quality, and thus of least importance to our objective of improving the breed.
"Indeed a clear signal that British racing is to emphasise once again the qualities which have stood it, and the breeding industry beside it, in such good stead for over 200 years, may be exactly what we need."
The Levy Board recently agreed to a new Breeders’ Prize Scheme
worth £1.92 million for 2008 and Freedman reiterated the importance
of this to his members.
"While many may have been concerned as to the impact both on our membership numbers and contributions to the sales levy which the closure of the Equine Fertility Unit might have, its impact would pale into comparison with the consequences to us of any loss of Breeders’ Prizes," he continued.
"The reaction when they were due to be replaced by a £10 million Owners’ Premium Scheme would be nothing compared to their removal in the absence of any alternative support scheme for British Breeding- and quite rightly so given that the encouragement which the Scheme has given breeders to produce stayers for example, will only in 2009 actually reward those who have altered their breeding plans in response to the Levy Board’s aspirations."
Freedman also illustrated the TBA’s contribution of £100,000 towards British Bloodstock Marketing "without which there would be no expenditure to promote the horses which our members produce."
He went on announce a new Employee Benefits Scheme in conjunction with PFP Financial Planning that can be used by any stud farm
"The scheme will provide a Lump Sum Death Benefit of three times salary, following which we intend to offer a Long Term Incapacity Pay Scheme," explained Freedman.
"With regard to pensions, currently all employers with four or
more staff must offer a Stakeholder Pension Plan; there is, however,
no requirement for the employer to make any contributions.
"From 2012, from the date of joining an employer will have to pay three per cent with employees paying four per cent, and it has been proposed that the TBA establishes an Association wide Group Personal Pension Plan with a range of employer and employee contributions that can suit any Stud, in order to enable them to opt out of the state scheme and create a scheme better tailored to their own needs."
