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Harness Breeders NSW

MARES DOWRY SCHEME TERMS & CONDITIONS

HBNSW is currently accepting Expressions of Interest for the proposed Harness Breeders NSW Mares Dowry Scheme (the HBNSW Mare’s Dowry Scheme (HBNSW DS), to run for a period of 3 years between 1 January 2027 - 31 December 2029.

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Under the Scheme, Harness Breeders NSW Members may choose to pay a one-off registration fee of $100 per filly/mare (payable to HBNSW) to earn credits for their mare’s future breeding career (Member's may register up to three (3) mares). Credits earned through the Scheme will be attached to the mare and can be used to pay the service fee to any stallion registered in NSW (paid directly to the Stud by HBNSW when the mare is bred).

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The Mare’s Dowry Scheme is a three-year initiative proposed to run through between 1 January 2027 to 31 December, 2029, with Expressions of Interest commencing on 1 October, 2026. While eligible mares can be enrolled at any point during this period, timing is everything: registering early maximizes your mare's opportunity to win dowry credits (up to $12,000 per mare over the 3 seasons - a maximum of 4 wins per season) across the full duration of the Scheme.   Managing Owners may register up to a maximum of three (3) fillies/mares.

 

Late registrants remain eligible, but their window of opportunity is significantly shorter—for instance, a mare registered on January 1, 2029, will only be eligible to compete for credits through December 31, 2029.

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The credits accrued for the mare do not have to be used in a single season and expire at the end of the fifth breeding season after the last credit was earned, when the mare dies, the mare is deregistered or is permanently exported.

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KEY FEATURES OF THE SCHEME

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  1. A $1,000 credit will accrue for a filly or mare registered in the HBNSW DS, that wins a ‘HBNSW Mares Dowry Scheme’ harness race in NSW whilst recording a mile rate of better than 2.00 mins (100 races per year throughout NSW will be programmed as HBNSW Mares Dowry Races).
     

  2. A filly/mare can accumulate funds for a maximum of four wins per racing season ($4,000 per racing year) – from time of Registration in this Scheme.
     

  3. The HBNSW credits attach to the winning filly/mare not the owner or breeder. If the filly/mare is sold or leased after being registered in the HBNSW DS, the credit can be claimed if the Terms & Conditions of the Scheme are met.
     

  4. Should a filly/mare be disqualified in any particular race the credit will transfer to the 2nd filly/mare promoted to the disqualified filly/mare’s winning place (if that filly/mare is registered in the HBNSW DS).
     

  5. The HBNSW DS will be reviewed periodically. HBNSW has the discretion to change, amend or cancel the Scheme.
     

  6. The HBNSW DS relates to the racing year beginning 1st January through to 31st December annually.
     

  7. To claim the Dowry, the owner (or new owner if the mare is sold) must join or be a current financial member of HBNSW.

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COMMERCIAL TERMS

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  1. The credits are all in (AUD) Australian dollars and will be held by Harness Breeders NSW Inc.
     

  2. Owners are responsible for GST if applicable.
     

  3. HBNSW will pay the Stud in the third week of the month following the Application, provided all requested information has been provided and all eligibility criteria has been met as outlined in these Terms and Conditions.
     

  4. Owner’s are not able to aggregate credits across multiple fillies/mare’s to increase the amount payable under the HBNSW DS.
     

  5. HBNSW will issue a credit note/ apply correction, if for any reason the HBNSW DS is repaid.
     

  6. Horse owners agree that they will not issue tax invoices or provide supply information to HBNSW.
     

  7. Credits are accrued to the HBNSW DS registered filly/mare. An up-to-date list of horses and their earnings (credits) will be available on the Harness Breeders NSW website.
     

  8. 2027 and beyond credits will be available to reimburse breeders for the direct costs. ie., service fee, semen and its’ shipment, working fees, veterinary breeding costs.
     

  9. The credits accrued for the mare do not have to be used in a single season.
     

  10. The credits expire at the end of the third breeding season after the last credit was earned, when the mare dies, the mare is deregistered or is permanently exported.
     

  11. The filly or mare must be located and serviced in NSW to be eligible to redeem the credits. 
     

  12. To qualify for the payout, the stallion used for the service must be NSW-based.
     

  13. The credits will be paid to the registered Stud or Semen Station upon receipt of a claim form and production of supporting documentation, detailing proof of service and 42 day positive test. After this payment is made, HBNSW obligations cease for that season.
     

  14. HBNSW have the right to review periodically and change, amend or cancel the scheme at its discretion. The rules of racing apply.
     

  15. Upon payment of the $100 Registration fee, a Mares Registration Certificate will be issued to the HBNSW Member/mare owner and she will be listed on the "Eligible Mares' webpage where owner's will be able to track the mares credits.

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TERMS & CONDITIONS

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GENERAL TERMS

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  1. The filly or mare must race in a nominated HBNSW DS harness race (100 races per year to be conducted throughout NSW) to be eligible to earn credit/s.
     

  2. The credit is attached to the filly/mare who earned it and is not assigned or transferrable to another horse.
     

  3. If the filly or mare is sold within Australia the credits transfers with the horse to the new owner, if they are a Member of Harness Breeders NSW (if they are not a Member, they may join to become eligible to claim the Mare'sDowry).
     

  4. If the filly or mare is exported out of Australia, the credit expires with no payment or compensation.
     

  5. If the filly or mare is exported for racing and then put into foal prior to returning to Australia, the credit will apply for costs associated with breeding the mare in Australia in any following year as per the other Terms and Conditions.
     

  6. If the filly or mare is leased, the lessee must be/become a current financial member of Harness Breeders NSW, then the Dowry will be paid to the lessee provided the HBNSW DS T&C’s are met.
     

  7. Credits expire at the end of the third breeding season after the last credit was earned, when the mare dies, the mare is deregistered or is permanently exported.
     

  8. Should the mare die or it be found that she cannot reproduce, any unused credits will expire without compensation.
     

  9. Owner’s may use the credit as part of payment to meet a price higher than the credit is for and may also split claims and use only a portion of it to meet a lower price than the balance.

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SPECIAL TERMS
 

  1. All credit claims are by way of reimbursement and HBNSW will pay the NSW Stud on production of relevant paperwork.
     

  2. The credits do not have to be used within a single breeding season but must be used within 3 years after Registration in this Scheme.
     

  3. The mare must be bred in NSW / inseminated in NSW to be eligible to redeem credit.
     

  4. In the event of a dead heat, the credit will be paid out in full to each of the dead heating horses (if both are owned by HBNSW Members and registered in the HBNSW DS). Two horses dead heating for first will both earn a $1,000 breeding credit.
     

  5. Credits may be used for direct breeding costs only, ie., service fees, semen and vet packages and related costs such as transport and working fees (does not include agistment fees).
     

  6. You confirm that you will retain a copy of the documents issued by HBNSW.
     

  7. Participation in this Scheme does not preclude you from participating in any other Scheme.

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Dated:  1 October 2026

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