Flicking swiftly through the Daily Telegraph, aboard Flight CX163, en route from Heathrow to Melbourne for the International Breeders' Meeting, I was a little disconcerted to come upon an horrific photograph of a twenty-four foot scrub python, which had just devoured a chihuahua, a cat and a hamster, in the space of fifteen minutes, on the veranda of a small family home in Kuranda, Queensland. As this was to be my very first visit to the land of Oz, my heart missed a couple of beats, momentarily – but thankfully, this rare occurrence proved to be misleadingly superfluous, and my eight day sojourn was indeed snake free, most rewarding and very enjoyable.

Contrary to perception in some quarters of UK, Australians are friendly, fun loving and extremely welcoming to visiting Poms. They thrive on all facets of life, the great outdoors, all sports and the odd beer – and are fervently fond of their country and what it has achieved. They are also passionate about Racing and Betting.

Intent upon making the most of my brief stay, I spent the first two days, prior to the IBM, at the Inglis Premier Melbourne Yearling Sales, tagging along behind my brother Grant, aka Badger's Bloodstock, who now spends the first four months of the year Down Under, on an annual basis. He works closely with John Messara (Arrowfield Stud, and now Chairman of Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia and Aushorse), Paul Makin (of Starcraft fame), Bob Scarborough (owner of Light Fantastic, winner of the Cadbury Australian Guineas), and legendary trainer, Lee Freedman, amongst others – and was able to introduce his elder brother to a host of leading lights in the Australian Racing and Breeding Industry.

A Victoria Yearling Sale record, that has stood for twenty years, was smashed on the last day of the Sale when an Exceed and Excel colt submitted by Three Bridges Thoroughbreds, was knocked down to Ollie Tate of Darley Australia for $750,000. Ollie Fowlston, son of Dick, former TBA Vice Chairman, now based in Victoria, was the auctioneer 'mit gavel' at the time – very appropriately, given that Tattersalls have recently joined forces with the Inglis conglomerate. Exceed and Excel is currently 'on fire' – while the progeny of Redoutes Choice, Encosta de Lago, Flying Spur and Hussonet, continue to be very popular.

The average price of AUS$85,425 was 27% up on last year – while the gross aggregate of AUS$39,000,000 showed an increase of 48%.

'Digs' of exceedingly comfortable proportions, for this initial period, were courtesy of Quentin Wallace, a close friend from school days, who owns and runs International Racehorse Transport, based in Melbourne, and with offices throughout the World.

An added benefit to my three days pre-IBM was an invitation to spend a morning with Lee Freedman at his magnificent purpose built training centre at St Andrews, near Rye, on the Mornington Peninsula, an hour's drive from Melbourne.

This was a riveting experience, and testimony to the remarkable foresight and intuition of a man who has trained no less than five Melbourne Cup winners, and is now familiar to UK race-goers, through the exploits of Royal Ascot heroine Miss Andretti.

No stone has been left unturned in his quest for perfection. His 160 horses are unashamedly relaxed and content, housed in large airy boxes, and fed on an assortment of 'mixes' which would put Waitrose to shame. The many facilities include horse-walkers, swimming pool, and very interestingly, a number of treadmills, specifically for training purposes. A dedicated vet, horse dentist and farrier are resident on site, in addition to a well-manned and equipped office.

The 1600 meter training track, which overlooks and adjoins the stable complex, is breathtaking. The exterior comprises a myriad of tiered 'all weather gallops' while the grass gallop on its inside, has a 'sponge' base, the equal, if not better, than the famed Limekilns in Newmarket.

Dotted in and around the training track are numerous 'turn-out' boxes with release pens for fillies and geldings – and the beach, where his horses exercise regularly, is only 400 meters away.

On return, I then joined IBM delegates at the Sebel Albert Park Hotel, which overlooks the Grand Prix circuit in the middle of Melbourne, to be greeted by Richard Turnley, Chairman of IBM, and former President of Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia. Our hosts for the duration were the Victoria Breeders' Association, acting on behalf of Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia. Countries represented were Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Columbia, France, GB (Richard Greenwood and GPG), Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, USA – plus EFTBA. A delegate from Hungary was present as an observer – as was, for the first time, Rachel Pagones from the Racing Post, whose reports on the Veterinary and Main meetings have helped enormously to raise the awareness worldwide of IBM.

Our four day IBM itinerary comprised a day of stud tours, two days of IBM meetings, and an afternoon's racing at Flemington. The first stud visit was to Swettenham, developed originally by Robert Sangster, and now managed by his son, Adam. A delightful property, with river frontage, on 900 acres, and a charming house, where we were regally entertained to lunch, including 'filet de kangaroo', following a parade of resident stallions, Bianconi, Court of Jewels, Dash for Cash, and Keep The Faith. Hold That Tiger was on Northern Hemisphere duties in France, and the current stallion contingent will soon be reinforced by the Chilean bred Host, a son of Hussonet, to whom 85 nominations were sold in the space of three days, for the record!

On then to Darley Victoria, another hugely impressive stud farm, but still very much in its infancy, managed by Henry Plumtre, who spent a number of years in Newmarket. As with all Darley Stud projects, no expense has been spared, and this will be a showplace in time. The only stallion on view was Gonski, but he will be joined next year by Reset, Dubai Destination, Consolidator, Country Reel and others from New South Wales.

The first of our two days of meetings, both held at Flemington Racecourse, was devoted to Veterinary matters, and chaired by Dr Ken Strickland from Ireland. Needless to say, the 'hot topic' of the day was the outbreak of Equine Influenza in Australia in August 2007, about which we were updated at length by Dr James Gilkerson of Melbourne University. A report of the meeting, prepared by Richard Greenwood, can be downloaded below.

Agenda items, covered very briefly at the Main meeting the following day, included 'The Detection of Sterilized Entire Horses' and 'The Reinforcement of a Stallions Natural Cover/natural Gestation' – while the issues discussed at length were Integrity at Bloodstock Sales/Bloodstock Industry Code of Practice, Foaling Dates, Use of Medication in Equines, and Overproduction of Thoroughbreds.

The Integrity debate was led by Dan Metzger, President of TOBA in USA, who gave a report on the recent recommendations produced by the Lexington-based Sales Integrity Task Force. These were finalized in November, have been accepted by Kentucky lawmakers in lieu of legislation, and were applauded, for their diligence, by delegates at our meeting. However, given that the recommendations are distinctly draconian, it soon became clear that, while some countries were enthusiastic about joining this pro-active momentum, generated by the US, others were equally eager to distance themselves from it.

The debate at the 2006 IBM Meeting on Foaling Dates had indicated a difference of opinion between Northern and Southern Hemispheres countries. On this occasion, delegates from the Southern Hemisphere agreed that their system was working well, while the consensus of those in the Northern Hemisphere was for the retention of the 1st January date.

Under the heading of 'Medication in Equines' Richard Greenwood introduced a paper on the current threat of 'Withdrawal of Therapeutic Drugs in Europe'; Dan Metzger presented a second paper on the 'Regulation of Steroids in US Racing'; to be followed by discussion on North American Graded Races, which permit runners whilst on medication, still being included in the Pattern – a point raised by GB, with a view to leveling the playing field for other countries, particularly Europe, who apply a zero tolerance attitude towards racing on medication.

The fourth major agenda issue, again requested by the TBA, was the 'Overproduction of Thoroughbreds, particularly in Europe and the USA'. In his short introduction, GPG acknowledged that there was no easy solution – and informed delegates that while there may be grounds for a complaint to the EU under 'restriction of services', if stallion books were limited, Stanstead House had been advised that this would most probably be overturned. And that Brussels would not proactively legislate for limited books, as it would expect the Industry to put in place and police its own rules, taking the view that any overproduction in this unregulated market should be dealt with by the Industry itself, and by the basic rules of the market. This provoked an immediate reaction, and considerable support, from the Australians, Americans and the French – but after lengthy discussion around the table it was concluded that there was no instant cure, and that market forces would ultimately dictate.

The Meeting ended with a presentation on Stud Book Fees from Michael Ford, Keeper of the Australian Stud Book – and a resume from the Chilean delegate, Marcel Zarour, on 'The Breeding Business in Chile'.

Our official IBM itinerary culminated in an afternoon's racing at Flemington, advertised as 'Super Saturday', as guests of the Victoria Racing Club and it's Chairman, Rod Fitzroy. A magnificent card, featuring three Group 1 races – the Newmarket Handicap, the Cadbury Guineas and the Darley Australian Cup. These were won respectively by Weekend Hussler (Hussonet), Light Fantastic (Danehill Dancer) and Sirmione (Encosta de Lago). The race day attendance was over 40,000 – and the total prize money for the three Group races amounted to a staggering AUS$2,750,000!

Much later that evening/morning, as flight CX 253, departing on time at 1.20am from Melbourne to Heathrow via Hong Kong, thundered down the runway, cabin lights dim, eyes closed and recollections of racing at Flemington, Farewell Dinners, plus eight happy and very worthwhile days in Oz, became a distant blur, I reflected, albeit in a state of sleep-induced sub-consciousness… concluding that my brief stay had been an eye-opening and enlightening experience and that the Racing and Breeding Industry in UK has a great deal to learn from it's Australian equivalent.

Despite the ravages of Equine Flu, they are positive in their approach; united as an Industry; and enthusiastically supported by their Government. Prize money levels are spectacular; betting turnover is phenomenal; – and where else in the world does a sporting event, such as the Melbourne Cup, bring a nation to a standstill, interrupt it's Parliament and give children a day off school!

Note: More information and copies of presentations are available on the official IBM website www.ibmaustralia2008.com

Downloadable documents

• Veterinary Report from IBM by Richard Greenwood [76.49KB] - downloaded: (312)