History

The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) was founded in reaction to the problems breeders were experiencing as a result of World War I.  The first Annual General Meeting of the TBA took place on 3 December where Lord D’Abernon was appointed Chairman and 18 members were elected to serve on the council.

The TBA discussed and lobbied a number of issues including the costs for owners and the number of mares covered by a stallion in a year.

The government implemented a tax on all betting of horseracing.  The TBA and The Jockey Club were united in opposition to the tax, which they felt was potentially harmful for the sport.  In 1929 the tax on betting was ended.

After 15 years of presidency, Lord D’Abernon resigned due to poor health and was succeeded by Lord Rosebery.

After much discussion over the issue of taxation on stallion fees, Lord Glanely’s appeal which was heavily backed by the TBA was allowed.

Lord Rosebery resigned the presidency of the TBA after 22 years and was replaced by Lord Derby.

Major J J Astor, MBE was appointed president.

Major J P Philipps was appointed president.

Lord Porchester appointed chairman.

Mr Christopher Loyd was appointed chairman.

The organization started to take a greater responsibility for veterinary matters and in an effort to increase funding implemented a sales levy to increase funding.  The additional income was put towards large amounts of research into equine fertility including the Association’s own research facility, the Equine Fertility Unit.

“With regard to getting mares in foal, most of the problems that equine vets had in the first half of the 20^th century were solved in the second half of the century. Much of that work was pioneered by Professor Twink Allen at the Equine Fertility Unit, including the introduction of Regumate, Prostaglandin, ultra-sound scanning, the treatment of problems in mares’ oviducts, and hormone treatments,” James Crowhurst

 

Sir J Musker was appointed chairman.

Lord Porchester was appointed president.

The TBA offices moved from the BBA on Charing Cross Road to The Jockey Club in Portman Square. During this time the TBA’s views were much more independent than in the first 40 years of its existence.

Lt.Col N.E. Frieze was appointed chairman. 

Major J J Astor, MBE was appointed president. 

The Countess of Halifax was appointed chairwoman.

Mr R. J. McCreery was appointed chairman.

The TBA offices moved to Newmarket High Street.

Codes of Practice were introduced around 1977 following an outbreak of contagious equine metritis.

Duke of Devonshire was appointed president.

Mr T.D. Holland-Martin was appointed chairman.

Mr M.E. Wates was appointed chairman.

The TBA proposed a new scheme by which stallion owners pay a levy for the sire’s offspring to take part in a series of races, now known as the European Breeders Fund (EBF).  In little more than 30 years, the British wing of the EBF has contributed more than £30m in prize money to British racing. 

Mr P.S. Willet was appointed president.

The TBA moved to its current location at Stanstead House.

Mr D.J. Gibson was appointed chairman.

Lord Porchester was reappointed as president.

Mr A E Oppenheimer was appointed chairman.

The TBA helped with the development and distribution of the HBLB codes of practice. Britain was the first country to adopt the codes to prevent the spread of disease among the Thoroughbred population.

Marquess of Zetland was appointed chairman.

Mr D.J. Gibson was appointed president.

Mr P.W. Freedman was appointed chairman.

Mr R.J. Morgan-Jones was appointed chairman.

Mr M R M Oswald, CVO was appointed president.

Mr N R Elwes was appointed chairman.

The TBA increased its lobbying both nationally and internationally and succeeded in areas such as securing payments for breeders under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), instigating a Tripartite Agreement for easier movement of horses between Britain, Ireland and France, as well as lifting the export ban on British horses to China.

Mr A D G Oldrey was appointed president.

Mr P.W. Freedman was reappointed chairman.

Mr M H Goodbody was appointed president.

Miss Kirsten Rausing was appointed chairman.

Mr Richard Lancaster was appointed chairman.

The TBA commissioned a stayers’ report to highlight the need to preserve the versatility within the breed.  The TBA’s Stayers’ Report is the starting point for the provision of enhanced opportunities and rewards for horses bred for middle distances or beyond and since the report a number of industry initiatives have been implemented including an increased programme for stayers and the Weatherby’s Hamilton Stayers Million.

Mr Julian Richmond-Watson was appointed chairman.

Mr Philip Newton was appointed chairman.