The Thoroughbred Breeders of the Hunter Valley launched its Protect Our Industries campaign at Magic Millions on the Gold Coast this week.

The Hunter Valley campaign and flyer “Our Magic Millions Champions Under Threat – Protect the Hunter Valley” highlight the challenges faced by thoroughbred breeders in the Hunter Valley and throughout Australia from increasing levels of mining activity.

Campaign Leader Henry Plumptre said the Hunter Valley region in NSW is internationally recognised as Australia’s thoroughbred breeding capital.
“It holds the second largest concentration of horse studs in the world, outside Kentucky in the United States.  It produces approximately half of all thoroughbreds born annually in Australia.

“This year yearlings by Hunter Valley stallions represent upwards of 70%of the Magic Millions catalogue over all sessions” he said.

Plumptre launched the campaign at Magic Millions because the Hunter Valley is the nursery of Australia’s thoroughbred breeding industry and the mining encroachment issues facing have industry wide impacts and implications.

“We encourage all domestic and international supporters of Australia’s internationally renowned thoroughbred breeding industry to join our campaign.  We encourage them to add their voice to ours and send a strong message to politicians and decision makers for responsible decisions to maintain a healthy balance between our breeding operations with the industries that surround us,” Plumptre said.

“This is not an anti-mining campaign.  This is a campaign that aims to educate our politicians, decision makers and the wider community about the importance of our industry and the contribution we make to local, state and national economies.

“It is a campaign that seeks to achieve a strategic holistic plan for the Hunter Valley so that we can plan confidently for the future and protect our industry and environment for future generations.

The Thoroughbred Breeders of the Hunter Valley include Arrowfield, Coolmore, Darley, Vinery and Yarraman Park, and are supported by the Hunter Thoroughbred.

To obtain a copy of the flyer, more information on the campaign or to register your support please visit www.htba.com.au/protectourindustries