The Evolution of Country Racing & Thriving Opportunities in Thoroughbred for Sale

COUNTRY RACING magazine was produced by Harry and George Troy from an office in Dubbo for a brief period in the late 1980s. With contributions from correspondents from across regional New South Wales, the hugely popular publication opened the world of country racing to punters unlike any form a media of the time.

The engrossing editions retold tales of the turf (and dirt) from Bourke to the Coast and Riverina to the Northern Rivers. Recounts of almost every race meeting, Cup wins, plunge, stallion debut, and up-and-coming apprentice jockeys filled the magazine, which was in production for around two years.

For a modern racing fan, reading Country Racing highlighted how things were very different in the late 80s. The minimum weight was about 51kg, horses raced in maidens, progressives, intermediates, rural and association stakes, and unless it rained, the tracks were pretty firm.

At that time, racing was starting a technological renaissance, and the distribution of Country Racing coincided with the broadcast of Sky Racing across pubs and clubs, and the roll-out of essential electronic technology, such as photo finish systems, to remote regional areas.

Advancements in the dissemination of racing information were lauded. In short, punters wanted more. One column, written by popular Central West race caller Colin Hodges noted:

“Central Districts Chief Steward Ned Dougherty was applauded by punters when he commenced printing Stewards Reports in the back of race books.

From one recent Wellington meeting, Dougherty and his panel noted in their report: Approaching the 600m, Dostoevsky was attacked by a blue cattle dog and shifted in abruptly.”

A novel recount by any standards, but Dougherty’s initiative gave punters of the time-critical insight. Something we take for granted with our modern access to information and data across an innumerable number of sources.

Nowadays, even at a country level, information and data drives every facet of our industry, including the process of identifying potential winners.

In December 2024, the Dubbo Turf Club released important data on race results over the past 12 months of racing. On top of information readily available to punters, this data provides further insight in the same way a budding share investor would seek analysis from the market index.

The Club hosted 19 race meetings, with 1514 horses starting across 141 races.

JOCKEYS AND TRAINERS

Dubbo-based trainers Clint Lundholm (12), Michael Mulholland (9) and Brett Robb (6) headed the trainers’ tally through 2024.

“Last Race” Lundholm, the winner of the 2022/2023 NSW Country Trainers Premiership has an uncanny knack of winning the final race on the program, while Mulholland and stable apprentice Shayleigh Ingelse formed a dynamic winning partnership.

It goes without saying that Dubbo horses like racing at Dubbo, with 52 locally trained winners throughout the year. Dubbo, regional NSW’s leading producer of trained race starters, was followed by winners from Scone (30), Mudgee (10), Bathurst (9) and Muswellbrook (7).

Of note is the strike rate of travelling trainers, such as inform Warwick Farm conditioner Bjorn Baker, or Queanbeyan’s Nick Olive, who has a 50% winning record when floating horses to Dubbo, including recent TAB Highway winner, Moritz Girl.

Jockey Jake Pracey-Holmes produced the most winning rides, ahead of Clayton Gallagher, whose season was hampered by injury. Well-travelled hoops Mikayla Weir and Nick Heywood were amongst the best-performed jockeys, while Ashley Morgan and Aaron Bullock returned unmatched strike rates on their path to a one-two finish in the NSW Jockeys Premiership.

COUNTRY BOOSTED RACES

Over the course of 12 months, 37 country-boosted races were programmed at DTC meetings. These country-only contests are run at maiden, Benchmark 58, and on occasion, Class 1 and 3 grades. Typically supported by large field sizes, it is important to note that favourites have won 43% of all Country Boosted races run at Dubbo, with a further ten winners $5 or shorter – yet not favourites – in the official starting price markets.

STALLIONS

Breeding barn heavyweights I Am Invincible, Snitzel and Zoustar unsurprisingly finished in the top five for winners produced, while Deep Field, Outreach and Divine Prophet also provided valuable results.

Compelling Truth (I Am Invincible) was the star progeny for super sire “Vinnie”, winning on five occasions at Dubbo during a 2024 preparation that also yielded wins in the Coonamble Cannonball (raced at Dubbo), $110,000 Panorama (Bathurst), Sir John Kirby Quality (Grafton) and a Brisbane metropolitan victory.

BARRIERS

Historically, there has been an even distribution of success across barriers one to 10 at Dubbo, with a per cent or two separating inside and middle draws. Even barriers 11 to 14 aren’t underrepresented, with a 5.1 to 6.4% chance of winning. These results vary slightly between sprinting, middle and staying distances, where with the latter two, the result of the marble is less important.

In 2024, the barrier statistics were akin to those historical averages, noting that:

• Barriers two and five produced the most winners, with 20 each.
• Barriers 9 (15), 1 (14), 3,4 and 8 (all 11) were the next most frequent winning barriers.
• From barrier two, horses were most likely to win over 1000m, 1400m or 1600m.
• From barrier five, the most common win was over 1100m.
• Every barrier, from one to 14 produced at least one winner throughout 2024.

The rich history of country racing in NSW, from the early days of Country Racing magazine to today’s data-driven industry, highlights the evolution of thoroughbred racing. With insights from Dubbo Turf Club’s recent race statistics, we see the impact of top trainers, jockeys, and breeding stallions on regional racing. As the industry continues to thrive, opportunities to invest in race horses for sale, thoroughbred sales, and racehorse shares for sale have never been more accessible. Whether you’re searching for horses for sale in NSW, VIC, or QLD, exploring online thoroughbred sales, or looking to buy racehorse shares, the market offers a diverse range of options for enthusiasts and investors alike.

To read more about Stridyl and Dubbo’s collaboration read Here