The 2025 Breeding Season – “we can stabilise and eventually rebuild”

[Wandering Eyes]

HRNZ Chief Executive Brad Steele says there is still room for optimism despite the fall in breeding numbers for the 2025 season.

Latest figures show that a total of 1552 individual mares have been bred to, a drop of 12 per cent on last year.

“Breeding numbers have been under pressure over the past two decades,” says Steele, “and it is disappointing to see a double figure decrease. We have to own that but there are encouraging signs that we can stabilize and eventually rebuild.”

The total for 2025 is 225 mares bred down on the corresponding 12 months, with Trotting Mares services stable at around 500 and Pacing Mares services down 200 from 1351.

“The trotting totals are gratifying. They reflect recent initiatives to increase their funding and recognition, with trotters making up 30 per cent of our sport,” says Steele.

Volstead leads the way with 53 mares, ahead of Tactical Approach (47) and On A Streak (37).

Sweet Lou tops the pacing stallions’ list with 149 while his son Confederate had good numbers (67) as did the likes of Always B Miki (113), Captain Crunch (81) and Pebble Beach (79).

Some colonial sires like Carlton (28), Krug (23), Royal Aspirations (27), Habibi Inta (27), Sky Major (19) and Oscar Bonavena (15) have also been in demand.

Steele says the latest figures just reinforce how critical is it to get new and younger people involved in the sport.

“It is evident that smaller breeders are especially reducing their numbers,” says Steele, “and there are a number of reasons for that – costs are rising and some of the breeders themselves are getting older and getting out of the breeding game.”

Steele is confident the tide can turn.

“Our surveys show that there is confidence in the future of our sport, and that is crucial.”

“Several positive industry developments are also beginning to take effect, creating a more attractive environment for breeders, owners, and investors.”

Steele says these include increases in stakes, the success of Next Gen, proposed tax reforms, the Entain 2YO bonuses and other incentive schemes and the strong results at the recent NZB Standardbred National Yearling Sales.

“We cannot lose sight of the fact that there is a lot of optimism for our sport and we are committed to doing all we can to turn these breeding stats around,” says Steele.

 

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