Hello Archie, Barney from Bendigo is on the money over the breeding numbers. In 1980, Western Australia had 208 registered stallions that produced 1,377 foals whilst Queensland had 112 sires that produced 489 foals. Currently, WA has 15 registered sires producing 362 foals, and Queensland has just 7 registered stallions producing 249 foals. The hobbyists with a mare in the back paddock and a decent homebred stallion just down the road have gone and the foal crop has shrunk to an unsustainable level. In South Australia, they couldn't muster up 30 yearlings for last year's sale held in a shed at Gawler. HRA allowed Artificial Insemination/Frozen Semen under pressure from the big end of town, chasing "exclusive bloodlines", they changed the "horses birthday" from August to September, and now to a mind-boggling January 1st. Explain to me exactly what those decisions have done to improve and grow our industry? Rhetorical Question.... absolutely nothing, in fact they have catalysed its destruction. And just when you thought stupidity had reached it's zenith, along comes a stallion tax so the purple circle can race for $2 million in an over hyped, under delivering slot race that is a play toy for the entitled? Remember, it was going to rotate around Australia? Yep, like hell it will. The management of the Industry by the HRA has a lot to answer for. Just like washing the old woolen footy jersey in hot water, it has shrunk beyond survival. But one thing Barney....even with 1000 foals in the paddock, the industry still needs simple, understandable and proper handicapping if the punter is going to wear it. Off his long run stretching back to Pearl and Chester's in Pinjarra, Dale from Dandalup