Silicon Valley comes to Scone
Scone’s a long way from Silicon Valley but Google’s Chrome expert Neal French will be on hand to talk about all things AI, the buzz subject of the moment.
The From Here On forum, to be held on Monday, August 7, at the Thoroughbred Breeders NSW conference room in Scone, will also feature as keynote speaker John Sutherland, the general manager of digital at Golf Australia.
Sutherland will discuss golf’s national rollout of a digital framework and how it benefits golf clubs, members and fans. No doubt the racing industry, particularly principal racing authorities including Racing Australia, could learn a thing or two.
The idea of the thoroughbred industry’s own digital entrepreneur Tom Seymour, the brainchild of the Breedr software among other things, From Here On will run from 9.30am to 3.30pm with morning tea and lunch provided.
“The primary goal of From Here On is to bring together a diverse and influential audience who are passionate about the advancement of the thoroughbred breeding industry,” Seymour says.
“The role of each presentation will be to inspire and ignite transformative discussions among attendees and associated media.”
Using ChatGPT to come up with his email pitch, Seymour added: “If we collectively don’t challenge the current appetite for change within the industry, our own futures stand to suffer.”
Tickets are $66 or $55 for TBNSW or TBV members. For more information, contact Tom at tom@breedr.horse.
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Widden’s Zoustar has been a star stallion on the rise from his first crop of two-year-olds and he has become one of the most sought after sources of high-class sprinter-milers, 36 of which have achieved black type success.
His other stakes winner, his 37th, is rather unique, being the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Zoumon who landed last Saturday’s Caloundra Cup (Listed, 2400m).
The four-year-old, who won the McKell Cup (Listed, 2000m) in Sydney at his previous start, is the sole progeny of Zoustar to earn black type at beyond 1800 metres and his European-bred dam Monblue (Monsun) can take much of the credit for the gelding’s stamina.
In a timely reminder of the potency of importing international bloodlines – the Arqana Summer Sale was on last night, the Tatts July Sale is on next week – Listed winner Monblue was sourced by Belmont Bloodstock’s Damon Gabbedy for €400,000 from the 2013 Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.
Gabbedy said: “I bought her for the Hutchins family of Element Hill. She was a stakes-winning Monsun mare, so that has turned out well and it is where (Zoumon’s) staying blood is coming from.”
Zoumon was a $360,000 purchase by Waterhouse, Bott and Mt Hallowell Stud at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Sadly, Monblue died in March last year, leaving an unnamed two-year-old half-brother to Zoumon by Capitalist (Written Tycoon).
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Mick and Michelle Talty are synonymous with Edinglassie, a place the couple made home for 30 years and helped breed and raise 14 Group 1 winners – no mean feat.
But they have officially taken a step back, semi-retiring to their own small farm at nearby Denman, where they will continue to breed their own horses.
“It has been an extraordinary journey that commenced alongside the great man, Bob Oately. We were married here, raised our beautiful children and created unforgettable moments with our clients, owners and staff,” they wrote on Wednesday.
“We take immense pride in the recognition and honours we have received, which were made possible by our diligent staff and amazing owners.
“Michelle and I extend our gratitude to everyone in the industry for their support over the years. However, the time has come for us to retire from Edinglassie and enjoy breeding our own horses on a much smaller scale at our property in Denman.”
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Last week, the federal Social Policy and Affairs committee handed down its recommendations into online gambling reform through its You win some, you lose more report.
One of the key recommendations was the banning of incentives – the generosities used to entice punters to bet. The Ashes is currently on, of course. The Aussies are up 2-0 against the Poms, who are led by a Kiwi racing lover in Brendon McCullum.
One smaller Aussie corporate bookie tried to encourage punters to bet on the third Test, which started last night, by offering $2.50 for the Aussies to win the toss for a nominal amount. It was good odds on a literal even-money coin flip. Alas, I couldn’t win, nor lose. The bookie rejected the bet which would have barely covered the cost of a slab of beer.
I didn’t realise the corporate “bookies” were so keen to enact some of these recommendations before the federal government had even made a decision. As the saying goes, you can’t eat value.