Frawley on the way to the barriers prior to the running of the Inglis Sprint at Flemington Racecourse on March 02, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by George Sal/Racing Photos)
“If you race a horse that’s bred in Victoria by a Victorian stallion and you’re eligible for VOBIS Platinum and you’re not paying up for it, you’re crazy.”
Rosemont Stud principal Anthony Mithen could not have been more emphatic when endorsing the benefits of the VOBIS program.
Rosemont Stud, based near Geelong, receives the full circle of benefits from Australia’s leading owner and breeder incentive scheme. The farm’s resident stallions, including flagbearer Shamus Award and exciting newcomer Doull, are paid-up members of the VOBIS Sires program whilst the vast majority of horses they breed, sell and own are also VOBIS nominated.
“It’s an exciting venture from Racing Victoria, these VOBIS Platinum vouchers can then be used on the Victorian product at the sales,” said Mithen as he reflected on another stellar season for Rosemont which saw the farm’s stallions claim four of the six VOBIS Platinum Nominators’ Bonuses on Victorian Owners and Breeders Raceday.
“It’s giving back to those who are putting the money up and having a crack in Victoria, which is fantastic for us as stallion owners because you can actually make money out of racing a horse and investing in bloodstock.
“The prizemoney in Victoria is already unbelievable, and the VOBIS program gives owners and breeders the opportunity to cash in further so it’s a real fill-up for connections if you can win one of these races.”
Mithen was speaking at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale complex, where Rosemont enjoyed another successful week with their quality draft fetching in excess of $3.6 million.
Their highest sellers were Lot 421, a beautiful bay filly by I Am Invincible knocked down for $900,000, and Lot 397, a striking colt by Darley’s shuttle stallion Pinatubo.
Both yearlings carried the VOBIS Silver logo on their pedigree page and with Lindsay Park outlasting their rivals in the ring to pay $700,000 for him, the Pinatubo colt will be given every chance by Team Hayes to chase the VOBIS riches on offer once he reaches racing maturity.
On the racetrack, Rosemont-owned horses have claimed $60,000 in VOBIS Platinum vouchers, courtesy of wins for Guerite and Frawley, who was named in honour of the late AFL great Danny Frawley.
The three vouchers which were won during the week-long VOBIS Platinum bonanza leading into this year’s Magic Millions Sale took the grand total since the scheme’s inception past the $4.5 million mark.
With approximately $2.5 million of that figure yet to be redeemed, owners will have the chance to cash in their vouchers on eligible yearlings at the upcoming sales, including the Inglis Classic Sale from February 9-11 and the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale at Oaklands Junction from March 2-4.
Another bonanza will be held the week prior to the Classic Sale, with every race meeting programmed in Victoria between February 1 and 8 set to feature at least one opportunity to claim some precious VOBIS Platinum vouchers.