Coverings for the Australian 2010 season were just below 2009 according to figures released by Keeper of the Australian Stud Book Michael Ford on Friday.
To date, 23,070 mares have been reported as being covered for the season which officially commenced September 1. There were 24,553 mares covered in 2009 and 26,600 in 2008.
Even though 2010 coverings are currently 6% less than 2009, Ford expected the difference to be 4% after late reports are lodged for a total of 23,500 mares covered by 688 stallions. The latest results indicate that the breeding industry, although bruised, seemed to be recovering from the global financial crisis, albeit slowly.
“While these covering figures are less than previous years, the efficiency of the industry has improved to the extent that the conception rate of mares has increased from 56% to 67% since 1975,“ Ford said. “The foal crop for 2011 will be around 15,500 being 600 less than the 2010 crop.
“Usually 11,000 thoroughbreds make it to the racetrack from each crop so there should be sufficient potential racehorses from next year’s foal crop.”
The state-by-state break-up saw 45% of mares covered in NSW, 23% in Victoria, 16% in Queensland, 11% in Western Australia, 3.5% in South Australia and 1.5% in Tasmania, similar to last season.
Coolmore sire High Chaparral was the most popular stallion in 2010 covering a book of 234 mares. It was his first season in the Hunter Valley after transferring from New Zealand.
234 High Chaparral (Coolmore)
211 Choisir Coolmore)
197 Written Tycoon (Eliza Pk)
196 Hidden Dragon (Lyndhurst)
190 Not A Single Doubt (Arrowfield)
188 Fastnet Rock (Coolmore)
162 Domesday (Darley Vic)
160 Bon Hoffa (Bowness)
158 Haradasun (Coolmore)
156 Northern Meteor (Widden)
155 Nicconi (Widden)
154 Flying Spur (Arrowfield)
154 Magic Albert (Yarraman Pk)
149 Duke Of Marmalade (Coolmore)
147 Starcraft (Arrowfield)
147 Lonhro (Darley NSW)
146 Sebring (Widden)
146 Real Saga (Glenlogan Pk)
145 Onemorenomore (Vinery)
144 Encosta De Lago (Coolmore)