ENGLISH BLOODSTOCK

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21223, 20 September 1940, Page 9

ENGLISH BLOODSTOCK

KNOTTY PROBLEM PRESENTED OFFER FROM QUEBEC QUESTION OF PLACING STOCK (By Air Mail.) LONDON, August 8. Unfortunate racehorse owners, wondering what to do with their property, are up against a knotty problem. There was a reeling at first that some good business could be done with the United States, but this has not proved to be the case. American owners have their own additional financial burdens these days, and are not particularly anxious to pay large sums lor English horses. Over and above tills there is a very big tax to be paid before horses can enter the United States as well as the problem of lack or transport and the lug’ll cost or it. Quebec Offer The latest development is that Quebec Racing Association has informed the Jockey Club here that they have made the necessary alterations in their rules to allow of British horses running on their tracks and that they would be willing to arrange for as many as 600 British horses to run in Canada. ~, British owners appreciate the goodwill shown in this communication, hut from the financial point of view the scheme is not so very tempting. There would be the initial outlay on transport to be covered and uncertaintly would undoubtedly exist as to whether the horses would be successful enough to pay their own way once they were put into training again. Racing in Ireland K number of owners and trainers are sending their horses to Ireland to continue their careers there. J. Dines has sent about 16 from ills Epsom stable and <ir Hugh Nugent has sent a dozen from the same district. From Newmarket Captain Boyd-Roelifort has also sent a small batch. At the. time of writing even Ireland does not seem to be the haven or security imagined, and owners may become more and more reluctant to send their horses across the narrow strip of water. Big Industry In this country alone more than £1,000.000 changes hands annually In blood stock transactions, and the export trade in thoroughbreds is not to be scoffed at. It is generally realised that high-class horses to 'the value or some £125.000 are- exported to the United States every year. Last year, too, British bloodstock was exported to South Africa, India. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ceylon, the Malay Straits, Straits Settlements. British West Indies, Panama. British Guiana, Mauritius. France. Italy, Russia, Denmark and Japan, bringing the total export trade to about half a million pounds. Many Studs This valuable trade Is carried on by some four hundred breeding establishments in different parts of the country which house about 7 000 brood mares and over 10 00 stallions. Some of these sires are exceedingly valuable animals; in some cases a stud fee of 500 guineas Is charged. These studs with their expensive inmates naturally represent a big capital, and it is essential, ir they are to continue In being, that at least a small amount of racing, including the classic races, is arranged for next season. Without racing in public the best horses of the year cannot he determined for future breeding plans. Britain lias always given the world the best and still hopes to continue to do