BRC turns its race names into a tribute to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak
Tuesday, 21 April 2020
Some of Queensland’s best-known stallions will be recognised tomorrow as the Brisbane Racing Club turns its race names into a tribute to those affected by the COVID-19 outbreak.
The 10-race card at Doomben will feature the Thank You School Teachers Maiden Plate while the Queensland breeding industry, which has been affected by the significant cut to black-type racing this winter, will have its modern stars recognised.
Written Tycoon, General Nediym, Mossman, Lion Hunter, Brave Warrior and Show A Heart all have races named after them as premiership winners in Queensland’s breeding industry across the last two decades.
“We’re just grateful that racing continues during this time of COVID-19 but we know the impact it has had across the industry and in life in general,” BRC Chairman Neville Bell said.
“We recently acknowledged health workers with the naming of a race and we’ll do the same with teachers tomorrow as they continue to work during this time. And we know that the breeding industry, which is so important to racing is also impacted.”
Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association President Basil Nolan said six stallions recognised tomorrow typified the strength of the local industry.
“They were all great stallions in our state and they did a great job for our breeding industry so it’s fitting that they’re recognised at this time,” Mr Nolan said.
“Queensland has long produced champions. Written Tycoon was bred here and went on to stand here when he sired Capitalist, a Golden Slipper winner out of a Queensland mare. They’re Queenslanders through and through.
“We’ve had some sires make their names in Queensland and be lost to the state because of the competition from southern studs but we can now enjoy the likes of Spirit Of Boom and Better Than Ready which have performed so well and remain in Queensland.
“The industry is looking for a lift because the loss of so many black-type races this winter carnival will take away extremely important opportunities for Queensland breeders.”
The BRC will tomorrow also stage the Happy Retirement Redzel Maiden Plate to acknowledge the recent departure of a much-loved horse.
Redzel was a real favourite in our recent Brisbane Racing Carnival, winning a Doomben 10,000 and twice racing here before he returned south to win the first two runnings of The Everest in Sydney.
Redzel underlined the benefits of racing in Brisbane in the winter. Our carnival has become such a nursery for the best horses in the country.