The Australian Stud Book (ASB) has released figures which show a 9.1% decrease in the number of mares covered in 2009.  A total of 24,158 mares were served in 2009.  The ASB attributes the decline to the global financial crisis.

Of the 760 stallions which covered mares, 176 descend from Danehill as sons (101), grandsons (74) or great-grandson (1).  Between them, these stallions covered 8,558 mares, 35% of the total mares covered.  Of the 760 active sires, 30% covered five mares or less.

The Australian Stud Book also announced the following fee increases (excluding gst):

Live Foal Mare Returns for 2010 now $105 ($5 increase)
Non-Live Foal Returns for 2011 now $45 ($5 increase)
Stallion Returns for 2010 now $500 ($100 increase)

A 5% discount is available if returns are lodged online at:   www.studbook.org.au.

“We delayed increasing fees in 2008 because of the Equine Influenza and in 2009 because of the global financial crisis,” the ASB said in a statement.  “The last fees increase was in 2003 and not many businesses have kept their fees stable for seven years.  During that time, we have continually improved our service to breeders to provide one of the most cost-effective and efficient Stud Book authorities in the world.”