Owner-Breeder Emma Banks to guest star in introduction to breeding webinar - From Paddock to Winning Post: Getting Started in Thoroughbred Breeding
The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association (TBA) and Racehorse Owners Association (ROA) have collaborated with the announcement of a webinar designed to primarily educate and inform racehorse owners and bloodstock enthusiasts considering thoroughbred breeding for the first time.
Taking place on Monday 27 April at 6pm, the webinar will offer a warm, practical and accessible introduction to breeding, with a particular focus on owners of fillies nearing the end of their racing careers and featuring guest speaker, multiple Group 1 winning owner turned breeder, Emma Banks.
The webinar will be hosted by TBA Chief Executive, Naomi Mellor and feature contributions from Emma Banks, along with Joe Grimwade, industry expert and author of the TBA’s Broodmare Ownership Guide.
Naomi Mellor, Chief Executive of the TBA said: “We are really looking forward to opening up the conversation on the process of breeding for the first time and are particularly thrilled and grateful to Emma Banks for agreeing to join our panel to discuss her own journey into the sector, including the challenges she faced.
“This is just one example of our collaboration with ROA this year to identify different touchpoints along the ownership journey where individuals may be thinking about breeding their fillies as they either reach retirement age or are finishing their racing career and what to consider when taking those first steps.
“This webinar forms part of the TBA’s wider effort to build awareness, accessibility and confidence around breeding and to help nurture the next generation of British thoroughbred breeders and we would encourage anyone with an interest to register.”
Louise Norman, ROA Chief Executive said: “This collaboration with the TBA reflects thoughts and questions raised by our owners and breeders and has been developed as part of a shared commitment to encourage and support ownership and breeding as part of the Industry Strategy.
“A significant step is understanding the opportunities at each stage and with insights from owner-breeder Emma Banks, Joe Grimwade and expertly hosted by Naomi Mellor, this webinar offers an accessible introduction to breeding. I would encourage any owner, particularly those with fillies nearing retirement or who are simply interested in understanding more about the breeding world to attend this event”.
Together, the panel will explore the journey from owner to breeder in an informal, conversational format designed to demystify the process and encourage questions from those who may never previously have considered breeding, the costs and any challenges involved along the way.
Topics covered during the session will include:
- breeding as an extension of ownership
- end-of-racing options for fillies
- understanding whether a filly may be a breeding prospect
- the practical realities and costs of breeding
- entry points for those with smaller budgets or just one horse
- how to access support, resources and trusted advice
Emma Banks will share her own personal experience of becoming a breeder, offering an honest and relatable account of the decisions, uncertainties and rewards involved. Joe Grimwade will provide expert insight into the breeding process, including what prospective breeders need to know before getting started and how the TBA’s resources can support them.
A live Q&A will close the session, giving attendees the chance to put questions directly to the panel, from breeding prospects for unraced fillies to whether pedigree knowledge is essential before becoming involved.
The webinar will be recorded and made available to watch via the TBA’s digital learning platform, TB-Ed. Attendance is FREE for all by filling in a simple registration form via the link here.