OTI has launched OTI Eurolink, an initiative to assist owners in both Australia and Europe to acquire European-bred horses for Australian racing more cost effectively.
At the heart of this initiative is the creation of a seamless process that links and incentivises trainers in both hemispheres.
With the assistance of respected agent Stuart Boman, yearlings have now been acquired and placed with four European trainers. Each of those trainers has been paired with an Australian trainer with the intention of relocating their horses to Australia at the end of the European 3yo season. The European trainers will continue to receive ‘royalties’ from their respective horses should they be successful in Australia.
Gus Boyd of OTI said at the launch that OTI had long been looking to make the transition of younger horses from Europe to Australia more seamless. He said “With the price of tried stock continuing to increase, we felt that there was an opportunity to better link trainers in both hemispheres and to improve the cost effectiveness of bringing young middle-distance/staying types to Australia.” He added, “We’ve been able to acquire four horses who we feel will suit Australian conditions in time, and they’ve been placed with rising trainers who have been exposed to our way of doing things. The incentivised links will ensure those trainers continue to benefit from their early work.”
The trainers and horses currently involved in the program are:
- A Muhaarar colt initially to be trained by Harry Eustace before transferring to Annabel Neasham
- A Night of Thunder colt initially to be trained by Tom Ward before transferring to John O’Shea (and Tom Charlton)
- A Le Havre colt initially to be trained by Tim Donworth before transferring to Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr
- A Sea the Moon filly initially to be trained by George Boughey before transferring to Anthony and Sam Freedman
Hear more about Eurolink on the RSN podcast, where OTI’s Gus Boyd goes into more detail on the initiative. Click HERE to listen.
For more information on OTI Eurolink, contact Gus Boyd (0487 146 267), Shayne Driscoll (0438 711 007) or Terry Henderson (0412 330 523).