The Victorian breeding industry is well and truly on the way up.

The recent confidence shown by domestic and international investors in the sector is proof of that. Here are just a few of the key indicators:

• International investors are buying properties in Victoria to set up breeding establishments or linking up with existing operators
• Victorian based breeders have never been so prominent as major buyers at the broodmare sales across Australia and New Zealand as they were in May and June this year
• The 2015 breeding season saw a significant increase in the numbers of mares visiting Victorian based stallions (while the level of broodmare matings decreased in most other regions of Australia)
• On the track, Victorian bred horses are kicking goals with no less than Victorian bred or sired Group 1 winners during the Australian racing season of 2015/2016. There were also multiple Group 1 winners in Hong Kong and New Zealand

Importantly for many breeders, the sales rings results for Victorian bred horses are growing strongly.

Across the three major sales at Oaklands Junction this year (Premier, VOBIS Gold, Great Southern), turnover was up more than $15 million. In fact, turnover has increased by 78% over the past four years which equates to an additional $33 million.

These are welcome extra dollars mostly heading in to the accounts of Victorian vendors and breeders.

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria is continuing to work with Racing Victoria on further enhancements to the Victorian Owners & Breeders Incentive Scheme (VOBIS). This year we have already secured an additional $1.8 million for country and metro mid-week Super VOBIS bonuses as well as the establishment of the $1.5 million VOBIS Sires series.

These extra VOBIS dollars are in addition to significant prizemoney increases announced by Racing Victoria over the past 12 months.

As you read Victorian Stallions 2016, you will notice the high quality of sires now calling our state home. This breeding season there are several new top class additions to the Victorian stallion ranks. Some are already proven, while some have recently retired from the racetrack after winning at the highest levels.

Whatever your choice of Victorian stallion, you can be sure that are in the right place to breed a thoroughbred!