One man’s opinion: What’s Going to Bring Back the ‘Smaller’ Breeder?
Rob Courtney

The harness racing industry seems to have clawed back some lost ground over the last 12 months, perhaps coinciding with the arrival of new (and positive) HRNZ CEO Brad Steele — albeit an Aussie.

Trackside coverage has certainly improved, with Friday Night Lights becoming well worth watching. The programming has helped reignite the Kiwi–Aussie rivalry, especially on this side of the Tasman. Good horses going head-to-head will always attract an audience.

The ‘Next Gen’ initiative has been well publicised as the industry looks to attract younger participants, and with the potential demise of greyhound racing, there’s strategic planning happening behind the scenes to make use of what could soon be a bigger slice of the TAB pie.

And it’s not just HRNZ investing in the future. Several commercial breeders are bolstering their broodmare bands with significant purchases. Australian powerhouse Yabby Dam Farms took it a step further in early 2025 by sending a small but elite draft through the NZ sales ring — surely a vote of confidence that the NZ harness scene is trending in the right direction.

Still, one dark cloud lingers: declining breeding numbers. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to realise field sizes will take a hit in years to come unless we produce more ‘product’ for our race meetings.

Times are changing.
The old Kiwi trio of rugby, racing, and beer has been well and truly passed over.

A recent breeders’ survey confirmed what many of us suspected: a number of smaller breeders are winding up their breeding interests, mainly due to advancing age and rising costs.

As someone approaching 70, I get it. Once upon a time, I was the school athletics champ (at a school of 1,200). Now? I don’t run anywhere — it’s just too hard!

My point is, nothing stays the same. There comes a time when we simply can’t do what we used to, and our thinking changes.

My love for harness racing hasn’t dimmed, and I still own land. But the number of mares I breed comes down to simple economics.

Some studs are fantastic to deal with and offer discounts, especially if you’ve been loyal over the years. Others? They see a stallion succeed and waste no time jacking up the service fee. Add $1,500 in vet costs for chilled semen — and suddenly, you’re asking yourself: Is it worth it?

For example, the vet practice I’ve supported for 25 years (just 2km down the road) would only offer me a package deal if my mares were agisted at their clinic — $15 a day. Historically, our mares have always been served at home.

That’s why it caught my attention when Wai Eyre Farm (North Canterbury) publicly committed to supporting the local breeding industry, followed up by an announcement they’d be reducing a number of on-farm fees for the 2025/26 season.

Just to be clear, I have no ties to Wai Eyre Farm — but they’re set to reduce working fees, vet packages, and foaling charges. As a passionate breeder, that matters. I’ll now seriously consider directing more of my mares their way.

I’ve got access to 10+ broodmares. So why am I only breeding from 3 or 4?

What are the studs and vets going to offer this coming season to make me reconsider that number?

Or is the reality that our future foal crops will mostly come from large-scale breeders who can still afford to play?

There just might be a deal out there that truly shows appreciation for the smaller breeder. The question is — which harness racing benefactor will have the courage to offer it?