News

Swettenham's Initiative Praised By Breeders

21st Apr 2009

Racing and Sports - Tuesday, 21 April 2009

Swettenham Stud have received an outstanding response to yesterday's announcement of its Capital Investment Protection Scheme, which effectively shields breeders from the impact of this year's reduced service fees.

The scheme is open for any breeder that used a Swettenham stallion in 2008 and wishes to send a mare back to the same stallion again in 2009.

In recent times, Adam Sangster's Swettenham Stud has offered “early bird fees” of discounted services (up to 25% off advertised price) for breeders who book prior to May 31.

With the global economic downturn and the reduced value of yearlings this year, most farms will be cutting stallion service fees.

Swettenham is no different but clients will have no reason to feel cheated about paying 'overs' last year.

The scheme works by averaging the fees from the two years, calculating the difference between the first Early Bird Fee and the average and then taking that difference away from the Second Early Bird fee to come up with a price.

As an example, Dash For Cash 'earlybird' price has dropped from $15,000 to $12,000 this year, but those who bred to him in 2008 will be able to access him at $10,500 (+GST) this season.

“The response since yesterday has been outstanding,” Swettenham's Sales and Marketing Bloodstock Manager Ian Rimington said today.

“We have backdated it to 2008 and I have already had many breeders ring to say it's the first time they feel protected going into the marketplace and as a result they have been happy to book in perhaps more mares than normal this year.

“As a stud that stands stallions, we have prospered during the boom times, but now it is equally as important to be supportive of our clients during this downturn.

“The aim of the game is to keep as many people in breeding as we can and I feel we have a moral obligation to do whatever we can to achieve that.”

Swettenham have enjoyed another great season, with standing stallions (or those associated with the old Collingrove) having sire Group 1 winners like Viewed (Scenic), Nicconi (Bianconi) and Takeover Target (Celtic Swing).

The exciting Bank Robber, a son of Dash For Cash, may well add to the tally as he chases riches over the Brisbane carnival.

The 'Early Bird' Swettenham Fees for 2009 are as follows:

But clients who sent a mare to a stallion last year will pay the following fees if they wish to use the same stallion again in 2009 (regardless of which mare they choose to send):

A special periodic payment system will also be available and bulk discounts for 2 or more mares will still apply as per 2008 with the discount being triggered when the mares are served.

Swettenham Stud Early Bird Fees finish on May 31.