GOT-ABROADS set to alter the breeding landscape

–  by Anil Mukhi

 In the first half of the 20th century, any Indian owner or breeder could import a Thoroughbred if she or he could afford it. Those halcyon days ended in 1958, when – faced with a severe balance of payments problem – the Indian Government introduced import licensing for most goods, including horses. Not surprisingly, when it came to priorities, horses were towards the bottom of the list and the quantity of licences allotted each year and the amounts sanctioned were niggardly. The mindset was so negative that even Customs Clearance Permits, which involved no foreign exchange outgo, were tightly restricted. As noted writer Suketu Mehta wrote in Maximum City, India became (and in many ways still is) “the country of the NO”.
Consequently the Indian racing and breeding industries were brutally shackled through the last four decades of the previous century. A further blow was struck in 1979, when imports of race-horses were banned for no good reason. Obviously, racing patrons were deprived of the prospect of competitive racing while the calibre of the Indian breeding industry’s produce was well below international standards, given the sub-standard foundation stock they were obliged to use.
Fast forward to the era of globalization, WTO obligations and the advent of the internet. Those in charge of the country were propelled (some would say “dragged”) into the liberal era, thereby giving birth to a new and resurgent India. Barriers crumbled and the plethora of restrictions that governed import of horses were significantly reduced, although not eliminated.
In fact, by retaining horses in the “negative list” of the Import Policy, clubbing them in a tabulation of items on Security and Safety Considerations (along with such unsavoury items as Beef Tallow, Muzzle Loading Firearms, Opium, Pig Fat and Substances That Deplete The Ozone Layer), the Government of India continues to do a signal disservice to the equine breed.
On the other hand, those who have the tenacity and patience to negotiate the arcane procedures for acquiring import licences have reaped rich rewards. By importing stallions and broodmares superior to the “bottom of the barrel” stuff that came in earlier, breeders can now compete more effectively. One need look no further than current stars Jacqueline and Becket as examples of the Indian-born produce of imported mares that have enriched the tapestry of the local racing scene.
In 1972, only 6 broodmares were imported to the country, a number which fell to just one in 1978, the solitary mare being Reine d’Atome[FR]. The introduction of an “Export Scheme” t he following year opened the gates by a mere crack, but did let in the likes of Broma[USA], carrying multi-Classic winner Tribute in utero and Scalaris[IRE], whose “got-abroad” produce Columbia became the second of his ilk to triumph in the Indian Turf Invitation Cup (after Venus De Milo in 1969; other got-abroads to have triumphed in this defining event are Supreme Choice in 1996, Zurbaran in 2003 and Becket in 2010).
An ill-conceived ban on imports of mated stock from countries reporting the presence of Contagious Equine Metritis meant that Indian breeders had to get innovative in sourcing their broodmares during the period 1981-1986. Countries like Canada, Italy, Sweden and even Holland were happy to welcome business from India. As compared to the traditional source – Great Britain – logistic costs in these countries at the time were higher and so the value that could be spent on the actual broodmares was smaller. Expectedly, got-abroads out of cheap mares imported from these countries at that time did not exactly set the Indian Turf on fire, although the likes of Midori and Nikita kept the flag flying sporadically for their tribe.
The return to some level of normalcy came in 1987, when Ireland was removed from the list of prohibited countries for mated stock. From the first lot of seven head out of that country came Majestic Eagle (Indian St. Leger of 1991) and from the next, consisting of thirteen head, came Flirting Vision (Kingfisher Bangalore Derby of 1991).
Numbers really took off from 1993 onwards, with five consecutive years of 100+ in-foal mares coming in to India. The peak was reached in 1995, when licensing was relaxed for one year as the so-called “Special Import Licences” replaced allotted licences; this saw as many as 197 broodmares and 8 fillies being brought in. The cumulative effect of so many broodmares at Indian stud farms meant that the foal production touched 1,892 in 1997 – a figure which amounted to gross overproduction and brought about a downward spiral in prices.
Although that extreme figure has happily not been reached since, recent trends point to the phenomenon of a surfeit of foals rearing its ugly head again. Tentative figures for the past three years’ imports are: 2008 – 159 broodmares and 3 fillies, 2009 – 120 broodmares and 4 fillies and 2010 – 187+ broodmares and 10 fillies. As it is, the 2009 foal crop of 1,684 is uncomfortably high, given the turmoil on the Indian Turf.
It would be counter-productive to arbitrarily restrict the incoming numbers as imported mares help to raise standards; rather, there is a clear signal to Indian breeders that they need to import judiciously (quality rather than quantity) and ruthlessly cull at least 300 (if not 500) of the poorest quality broodmares. Ultimately, the market will decide!
From 2005 Indian breeders have been able to spend decent sums on imported broodmares, thus leading to the embellishment of the local scene with talented got-abroad runners such as Alvarita, Attractress, Bountiful Talent, Celestial Way, Phenomenale, Star Presentation, Versaki and Wonder Smile, to name a few that have not been mentioned before. Amongst the current three-year-olds conceived abroad, whose future performances ought to be interesting, are Beyond Stars, Ocean And Beyond, Sunset Boulevard, Tender Romance and Vijay Damini.
Better-credentialled sires are beginning to be represented on the Indian Turf, which can only be beneficial. These include Dylan Thomas, High Chaparral, Hurricane Run, Marju, Motivator, Pivotal, Rock Of Gibraltar, Teofilo, Tiger Hill and Toccet. However, too many of the mares entering the country have shown themselves to be unsuccessful at producing talented racehorses – breeders need to avoid wasting money on proven failures. Also there is a tendency to import en masse, a temptation which a serious breeder needs to guard against. It’s very hard for a stud farm to absorb a sudden influx of 25 mares all at one time; this could lead to a drop in standards.
A judiciously-selected imported broodmare can enable even a small breeder to take on the big guns, something which is otherwise impossible, since most small breeders deal in the progeny of cheap stallions and average mares. A carefully-reared “got abroad” could enable such a breeder to successfully aim for the biggest prize of them all – the Blue Riband of the Indian Turf, namely the Indian Derby. Got-abroads Mohawk (Sunnylands Livestock & Agricultural Farm), Supervite (Rao Khangar Stud Farm) and Velvet Rope (Nilagiri Stud Farm) provide inspiration to all.
An outlay of around US$15,000 (Rs 6,75,000) (plus logistics costs) would give any breeder a realistic chance of competing at the highest level. The ranks of importers of in-foal broodmares (only 20-25 individual interests have been involved hitherto) need to expand. The result – with got-abroads hailing from several different farms – would be an altered landscape as compared to the present, where relatively few breeders hold all the aces. After all, competition is the name of the game.

June-July 2010