With VOBIS Sires nominations only opening last month, 60 stallions have already been nominated for the 2018 scheme. This matches last year's record level of 60 stallions nominated with several more nominations still expected to be lodged.
The 60 stallions nominated have been lodged by 18 individual Victorian stud farms and represent a full range of pedigrees, service fees and racetrack performances.
All progeny of these stallions from the coming season's matings will be
eligible to race in the annual $1 million Showdown race for 2YOs and $500,000
VOBIS Sires race for 3YOs. They also get to race for their share of $24 million
in VOBIS bonuses and prizemoney on offer every racing season.This year's nomination list so far includes a fantastic group of Victorian first season stallions including Boulder City, Gold Standard, Highland Reel, Impending, National Defense, Overshare, Thronum and Tosen Stardom.
Other newcomers to the VOBIS Sires nominations list include returned or relocated top quality sires such as Artie Schiller, Bel Esprit and Sepoy. They of course join Victoria's leading sires including Written Tycoon, Magnus, Reward For Effort and Manhattan Rain among others.
The first crop of VOBIS Sires yearlings have been selling throughout Australian and New Zealand auction rings over the past five months and have already pricked the ears of major buyers.
Yearlings emblazoned with the VOBIS Sires hip sticker proved a major lure for some of the most prominent members of Victoria's buying bench among them David Hayes, Brad Spicer and Natalie Young.
"It was a real bonus. It made me bid over $200,000. If it didn't have those bonuses on it, I wouldn't have paid that much." – trainer David Hayes after buying a Magnus colt at Inglis Premier.
"We're all targeting these VOBIS Sires horses." – syndicator Brad Spicer after the Premier Sale.
"It's a great incentive for owners. I think going forward it's something to our owners and new clients 'come and try a $1 million race with us.'" – trainer Natalie Young (Busuttin Racing)
VOBIS Sires yearlings were bought at every major yearling sale in every state of Australia as well as New Zealand with the likes of Gai Waterhouse, Darren Weir, Tony McEvoy, Chris Waller and Mick Price all finding one or several which could have a crack at the inaugural $1 million Showdown. Prominent buyers such as the China Horse Club, Godolphin and James Harron Bloodstock also snapped up a VOBIS Sires yearling or two.
The full list of Victorian stallions nominated for VOBIS Sires in 2018 can be found below, or by visiting the2018 nominations listing atvobissires.com.au.
For those stallion owners who have not yet nominated, it's not too late! Nominations are open until 31 August. Contact Racing Victoria atvobis@racingvictoria.net.auor phone (03) 9258 4694 to request a nomination form. Nomination is the cost of an advertised service fee with discounts for stallions serving less than 50 mares in the season.
Full information about VOBIS Sires and The Showdown for breeders, buyers, owners and stallion owners, can be found atvobissires.com.au.
