Queensland (December 18th, 2009) - Elaine Robertson has long been a stalwart of the State’s breeding industry, in her role as executive officer of South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders.
Stallions’ Graeme Kelly spoke to Elaine about what her duties with SATB entail, the outlook for South Australia’s racing and breeding industries and other matters.

Q.: How long have you been executive officer of South Australian Thoroughbred Breeders?
A.: 18 years this year.

Q.: How did your appointment come about?
A.: I went into the office to help when the previous secretary left to take up a job with 5AA . . . and I’m still here.

Q.: What do your duties entail?
A.: Administration of the office, attending meetings, organising events such as the annual dinner, seminars, stud tours, both overseas and interstate; sales promotion as well as running and catering for our hospitality marquee; and organising and attending to race day sponsorship. I am a one person office so I also tend to other general office duties, which need to be taken care of.

Q.: What projects are you currently working on?
A.: We have recently returned from a tour of 10 Hunter Valley studs with a party of 20 people. We have also just held our Annual General Meeting and Jo McKinnon, from Aushorse Marketing, came from Sydney to speak to our members.

Q.: Do you have close dealings, on a state and national level, with other industry bodies?
A.: We are in close contact with our federal body, Thoroughbred Breeders Australia, and Aushorse marketing and the other state secretaries.

Q.: You would have seen highs and lows in the industry in South Australia?
A.:Yes. Our S.A. breeding industry has been depleted over recent years with stallion numbers falling and people sending their good mares and yearlings interstate. Our sales have been affected by the low stake money in South Australia compared to other states, but with Thoroughbred Racing SA recently announcing stake money increases we should see an improvement in the confidence levels of local trainers and owners. Also Sam Hayes, at Lindsay Park, is building up his stallion ranks, Lakewood Stud has re-opened and we have seen several new stallions coming to S.A. in the past 12 months.

Q.: Do you feel South Australia is now moving in the right direction?
A.: I don’t think the situation will improve overnight but with the great support we are getting from Tim Brown of Magic Millions, we can certainly be looking forward to better times.

Q.: Do you believe SABIS is working successfully?
A.: Yes. SABIS bonuses are a huge incentive to buy qualified yearlings and to race here. We are working closely with TRSA to get more qualified horses into the scheme.

Q.: Do you feel any changes could be made to the structure of SABIS?
A.: We have already put forward a proposal to TRSA for a change and this has been favourably received and will, hopefully, be incorporated next year.

Q.: What are the major problems confronting the S.A. racing and breeding industries?
A.: We have had some major upheavals in our industry over the past 12 months but I am sure that with the new energetic South Australian Jockey Club committee, headed by David Peacock, and the opening of the new track at Morphettville we can look forward to a lot better news on all fronts.

Q.: Have you had a practical involvement in the industry?
A.: Yes. Mainly on the training and racing side.

Q.: Has there been a family involvement in the industry
A.: Yes. My daughter is a small hobby breeder and bred and she was part-owner of a jumper called Shutayr, which won the Saturday-Monday hurdle double at Oakbank a few years ago. She also has a mare, which has thrown several good winners.

Q.: Do you have time for any activities or hobbies outside the industry?
A.: After doing housework and attending to my office duties there isn’t much spare time but I do follow the basketball and am a fan of the Adelaide 36ers and try to attend as many matches as I can.

Permalink| Dec 18, 2009

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