Indiana Grand to host breeders seminar in November

The Indiana Breeders Alliance will host its inaugural Indiana Breeders Seminar on Saturday, Nov. 19, to educate breeders in the region and help them book mares to stallions in and out of the state.

The expo-style event will take place at Indiana Grand in Shelbyville. Attendance to the seminar is free, while admission to the dinner afterward will be paid admission for non-members.

Stallion farms will have booths set up to discuss their rosters with breeders and sign breeding contracts.

A quartet of lectures are scheduled. Tony Ottaiano of The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc. will speak on making a good pedigree page, Nathaniel Newton of Park Equine Hospital will discuss getting a mare in foal on one cover, representatives from Calumet Farm will cover nicking programs, and Spendthrift Farm representatives will talk about breeding-shed etiquette.

“We’re bringing mare owners in, we’re bringing stallion farms in, and then you can just shop around all day, then go in and out of the marquee rooms and see the different speakers,” said Indiana Breeders Alliance president Robin Hysell-Berryhill. “If you don’t know anything about Thoroughbred breeding, by the end of the day, you should have a pretty good idea of what you’re getting into, or if you’re into it, you’ll get some tips on what’s the latest.”

Hysell-Berryhill said stallion operations including Ashford Stud and Three Chimneys Farm have committed to having a presence at the event. Participating Indiana farms include Breakaway Farm, Holden Farm, Hidden Sprigs Farm, Indiana Stallion Station, Nicks Farm, Paradise Farm, and Swifty Farms. Spaces are still available for booths for a $45 fee.

The Indiana Breeders Alliance was founded this year by breeders and enthusiasts to promote racing and breeding in the state.

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