South Africa is attempting to coordinate an export consignment for the USA
In November last year, Mayfair Speculators racing manager, Derek Brugman approached Hobday enterprises to enquire about the possibilities and logistics of getting SA horses and a possible Queen’s Plate winner to the US and the Breeders Cup.
There are currently two routes out of South Africa. The most commonly used route is to serve a 21 day lockdown quarantine in South Africa, followed by an additional 3 months in Mauritius before making the onward journey to Europe. Onward destinations from the EU (USA, East, Middle East etc) require further residency periods and in some cases quarantine before the horses can be on-shipped. Option 2 is a direct route to the USA where horses serve a 60 day post arrival lock down quarantine. Again, onward movement would require residency and in some cases further pre-export quarantine.
Logistics
The route to the USA has been open for some time and although it is significantly faster than the Mauritius route, it has three major drawbacks. The first is cost, as there are no scheduled flights that can accommodate horses on that route, so it has to be done by special charter flight. Secondly, the Newburgh quarantine facility in New York has very restricted exercise options. Horse are only allowed to be walked in the aisle between stables which is a primary welfare concern as horses lose bone density from enforced rest. Lastly, South Africa is not currently declared CEM free, (although our Thoroughbred herd has never been infected) which adds additional complications. In order to receive CEM free status before becoming part of the US population, mares are required to serve an additional 14 days in a separate quarantine facility, but in the case of entires over the age of 2, existing laws require them to test breed to two mares – something that is not feasible for racing entires.
Progress
Thanks to some negotiation by the likes of Derek Brugman and Adrian Todd, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has “provisionally” agreed to the installation of a treadmill so that resident horses can be exercised during their lockdown period. They have also agreed to provide access for one additional person to assist with working the horses. Derek Brugman explains, “I do believe that a lot has been achieved by the export task team under the stewardship of Chris van Niekerk and the way South Africa is viewed by our colleagues in the rest of the world has changed dramatically, particularly after the recent ITBF, so although I believe we will soon be exporting horses under less taxing circumstances, I wouldn’t want to miss the opportunity of getting to another Breeders’ Cup and want to stimulate trade with the massive US market and others as soon as possible.”
Charter details
Extra precautions will be taken to ensure the consignment are fully screened
Hobday Equestrian Enterprises are handling the shipment and a plane has been chartered. At this stage, plans are to try and put together a consignment of 15 horses in total, which will spread the cost and make it more economically viable for owners. The horses would need to do a 2-3 week pre-departure preparation (likely to be done at one of the holding facilities in or around Cape Town) to be fully screened in accordance with the US requirements during post arrival quarantine so as to ensure all horses are eligible to travel. This is not a requirement from the USDA, but the team feel it is worth the additional effort in order to ensure everything goes smoothly upon arrival in the US.
The USA does not accept any horses that test positive for piroplasmosis, so as a precaution, all horses wanting to join the consignment will have bloods drawn and sent to the USA for analysis. Once all the test results are back, the shipment can depart.
At this point, they are hoping to have firm commitments from interested parties by Met day and have horses enter pre-departure quarantine by mid-February. Once blood results are back, the consignment should be cleared for departure by the end of February / early March.
Who’s going
Dual L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate winner, Legal Eagle
The consignment is nearly half filled already with Hobday receiving firm interest for Legal Eagle, Marinaresco, The Conglomerate, Silver Mountain, Flying Ice and Welsh Emperor, as well as a number of tentative inquiries, depending on whether the shipment goes ahead or not.
Costs for the shipment including pre-flight quarantine, charter flight and 60 day post arrival quarantine stand at approximately R8,5 million rand (depending on the exchange rate) or approximately US$40k per horse. They are hoping to generate enough interest and support to fill the load and there is a lot of positive momentum with several enquiries over the past few days.
Why the USA?
Derek explains, “US racing is predominantly centered around dirt racing and I think South African-breds are uniquely suited to be successful on the American turf. The Breeder’s Cup is on our radar for Legal Eagle and I have already identified a number of races for The Conglomerate. Marinaresco will hold his own anywhere on the International circuit and Silver Mountain will be a great racing and breeding prospect in the Northern Hemisphere.”
“If we are successful, it will open a whole new world for the SA market and once you’re part of the international bubble, your horse can move around freely like any other international horse and target races all over the globe.”
Lucrative US dollar purses aside, other reasons for considering the venture include being able to breed good fillies and mares to US stallions and there are generous discounts for Southern Hemisphere matings.
Sale yearlings qualify
CTS CPYS Yearlings are eligible (photo: hamishNIVENPhotography)
Anyone attending the forthcoming Cape Thoroughbred Sales 2017 Cape Premier Yearling Sale on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 January has the comfort of knowing that all purchases are eligible for the American venture (providing they test negative for piroplasmosis). If the consignment leaves by the end of February as planned, yearling entires will fall within the correct time frame and would not be subject to the CEM test breeding protocols.
Derek concludes, “If our horses perform reasonably well, there is a distinct possibility for major trade between the USA and South Africa and if that happens, a lot of long suffering breeders, trainers and owners in our industry will benefit. As John F Kennedy often stated “a rising tide lifts all boats”.
Any interested parties are invited to contact Kerry Hobday on 083 302 5100 or by email on [email protected]
