When sprinting sires can return millions of dollars in progeny earnings to their respective owners, in one single season, who would want to become involved with a staying racehorse.

Sole ownership in a racehorse is almost a rarity now, costs have become prohibitive, syndication has been the salvation of racing.

Instead, the owner of one horse can join a syndicate and have a share in half a dozen horses or more, which many have done instead of putting all their eggs in the one basket.

Syndication is the only practical answer to racehorse ownership, otherwise racing could not survive with the continued increase in costs of training and the other charges pertaining to the ownership of a racehorse.

Sole ownership in a racehorse is becoming very rare and too costly for one person, syndication is the alternative, costs can be shared and the pleasures are the same when the horse wins.

Syndication is now a big business and is getting bigger, people with the view of entering into ownership want a quick return, they are more likely to get it with the sprinting horse than the stayer that could take much longer.

The sprinting bred horse is the way to go, there are more options with at least eighty 80 per cent of our racing at 1600 metres or less, opportunities greatly favour the sprinter in preference to the staying bred horse.

The yearling sales held in each state are the best barometer, the yearling by the sprinting sires are in great demand and readily top the market.

Our sprinters can more than hold their own with the best in the UK, as shown when Choisir, Miss Andretti, Takeover Target, Starspangledbanner, Black Caviar, and more recently, Merchant Navy, were far superior to their British counter parts.

Even our Australian bred stallions are now shuttling into both hemispheres, with overseas breeders recognising the value of our sires.         

Breeders went through a period of fashion when they would not entertain a local sire, believing they were over raced by their owners, and were worn out, and a generation away from imported blood.      

Heroic dispelled that theory when he topped the national sire’s list seven times in succession, however, we were back again in the doldrums as most of his sons had failed at stud, with the exception of Ajax, he sired some brilliant fillies, his colts didn’t measure up so well, except Magnificent, he won both Derbies, the AJC and VRC, breeders showed little interest in a sire if it didn’t have Imp. behind his name, Widden often would stand a local sire, not many others would.  

How times have changed, we have the best sprinters in the world, with the 2017 – 18 racing season closing last week, with Snitzel topping the list with progeny earnings of $29,243,613, followed by I Am Invincible on $15,908,940, and Fastnet Rock $15,550,518.

Of the top 10 sires only 2 sires were imports, High Chaparral $ 14,735,494, and Street Cry $12,849,160, have since died.

The top 10 sires showed a combined total of $120,330,238, the only Victorian based sire was Written Tycoon on $9,959,677; he has had a busy season.

First season sire Zoustar made a one act affair of his division with 10 winners of $3,191,694, and Spirit of Boom, 18 winners of $1,907,000.

There is no room now for those slow English stayers, our racing has moved into a new exciting era, encouraging people to race horses and receive a return.