CROSS BORDER MOVEMENT A BOOST FOR THOROUGHBRED INDUSTRY

After several weeks of detailed planning and liaison with NSW and Victorian DPI, a consignment of 66 thoroughbreds were transported across the NSW/Victorian border overnight to the Inglis’ Oaklands sales complex in Victoria for a period of quarantine, having already served three days quarantine at the company’s Newmarket headquarters in Sydney.

Amongst those transported were yearlings to be prepared by Victorian farms for the upcoming Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale and a number of racehorses. All horses have been blood tested to verify they are “recovered horses”, as the DPI refers to them. The Managing Director of William Inglis & Son, Mark Webster explains that, “Recovered horses are individuals that have had the virus and are now completely resolved. They carry antibodies in their system making them immune to the same strain of Equine Influenza (EI). They are not capable of spreading EI virally and are considered safe for transport into Victoria by DPI after completing quarantine in approved facilities in accordance with National Protocols. Recovered horses are not the same as vaccinated horses. Vaccinated horses currently require a longer period of quarantine.”
Mark Webster added that, “Inglis is committed to keeping Victoria EI free, which is why so much work has been done to ensure horses that are entering Victoria meet DPI bio-security protocols. It is important to note that this movement of horses does not mean that we are back to normal, but movement is permitted provided protocols are followed and permits are issued. The horse industry in general must get back to business and take every safe step available to us along the way. We believe strongly in Victoria and want to ensure the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale delivers the best outcome for Victorian breeders and buyers. This sale is on everyone’s radar at the moment following the achievements of Weekend Hussler and Arapaho Miss during the Spring Carnival, and Sacred Kingdom’s performance on the international stage. The addition of NSW yearlings to the sale will help keep it in the spotlight.”

Following the success of today’s cross border movement, Inglis is now assessing the feasibility of conducting another movement of horses in January 2008. The aim is to help Victorian breeders get their broodmares and foals home from the Hunter Valley. We may also be able to help Victorian trainers who are keen to move their racehorses from NSW back to their stables. Only horses that have had the EI virus and are now classified as “recovered horses” will be considered for movement at this stage, as they require minimal quarantine. Quarantine at Newmarket and Oaklands will again be under strict DPI bio-security protocols.

The tentative dates for quarantine are as follows:
Inglis Newmarket, Sydney 21 - 24 January (depart and travel overnight)
Inglis Oaklands, Melbourne 25 - 28 January
Victorian thoroughbred breeders and trainers who would like to express interest in moving their recovered horses from NSW to Victoria in late January should contact Inglis by sending an email to transport@inglis.com.au and include their name, contact details, current location, number, type and EI status of horses they would like to move to Victoria. Anyone taking up this service will need to assist by providing staff to help care for horses during their quarantine. If demand is significant, priority will be given to loyal Inglis customers as numbers are limited.
Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria president Mike Becker, who was initially concerned about the movement of NSW horses into Victoria today commented, "I've now seen the basis of the protocols being used to move NSW horses into Victoria and can confirm that I'm very happy with the progress that Inglis and DPI have made in recent weeks, albeit that communication amongst all parties could have been better. The advice we've received from DPI is that recovered horses are not a threat to Victoria and I have no reason to doubt this. We're delighted to be working in a co-operative manner with Inglis to assist Victorian breeders to get their recovered broodmares and foals back from the Hunter Valley in late January. This is a big step forward for the Victorian thoroughbred industry."
The remaining yearlings currently located in NSW and Queensland that have been accepted for the Melbourne Premier Sale will commence their quarantine at Newmarket on February 19 before heading to Oaklands for the sale which commences on March 2.