New committee members at TBV

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria has welcomed new committee members Caroline Duddy and Matthew Tillett following its elections last week.

Duddy (Riverbank Farm) and Tillett (Woodside Park) replace retirees Christine Mills and Rosemary Inglis.

Originally from Northern Ireland, Duddy’s passion for racing has taken her around the world.  She worked in Ireland, England and Hunter Valley as a vet before settling in north-east Victoria where, together with husband Russell Osborne, they own and manage Riverbank Farm in Benalla.

“I believe that I am in a unique position where I can represent all aspects of the industry,” Duddy said.  “I am a broodmare owner, stallion owner, racehorse owner and vet to a number of Victorian farms.

“My vision is to make Victoria the premier destination for thoroughbred breeding by strengthening the VOBIS scheme to encourage high quality stallions and increasing the incentives for broodmare owners to breed to Victorian based sires.”

Tillett is Bloodstock & Sales Manager at Woodside Park.  After securing a Bachelor of Commerce degree, he worked for Magic Millions and, for the past seven years, has been in Victoria at Darley followed by Woodside.

“TBV has been a significant influence in improving opportunities for breeders and owners through working with various industry bodies and particularly Government to improve returns to investors,” he said.

“It is my desire to assist and further enhance the contribution of TBV so that Victoria continues to be an industry leader whose initiatives are envied by other breeding groups throughout Australia.”

Incumbents James O’Brien (Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm), who is TBV President, and Toby Liston (Three Bridges Thoroughbreds) were re-elected to the committee for 2017.