Nolan stands down after 12 years at helm of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia

Antony Thompson has been elected president of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia at the organisation’s annual general meeting, succeeding Basil Nolan after more than a decade in the role.

Nolan, who has served as president since 2014 and has been a board member since TBA was established in 2005, will remain as a director of the organisation as the representative of Queensland breeders.

Principal of Warwick-based Raheen Stud, Nolan oversaw the organisation through a period that included equine influenza, the 2011 Queensland floods, COVID-19 and a range of commercial and industry issues affecting breeders.

Nolan said the time was right to hand over the role.

“It has been a privilege to serve as president of TBA, and I am proud of what we have achieved together as a board,”  Nolan said.

“The time is right for me to hand over the role and make space for the next leader.

“I have enjoyed working with Antony through his role as chairman of Aushorse, and I wish him every success as president.

“TBA has an important role to play for breeders and for the wider industry, and I am confident it will continue to be in good hands.”

Thompson, the principal of Widden Stud and chairman of Aushorse, paid tribute to Nolan’s contribution to the organisation and the breeding industry.

“Basil has given many years of wise and committed service to TBA and to Australian breeders,” Thompson said.

“He has been a steady and respected voice around the Board table, particularly through some of the most difficult periods our industry has faced.

“On behalf of the board and the broader thoroughbred breeding industry, I want to thank Basil for his leadership as president and for the enormous amount of time and care he has given to the role.”

Thompson said he was honoured to take on the presidency at a significant time for Australian breeders and the wider thoroughbred industry.

“Our industry is facing some real challenges, but it also has enormous strengths,”  Thompson said.

“We have a breeding sector that continues to produce horses of world-class quality, a racing industry that remains the envy of many jurisdictions, and a community of people whose skill, resilience and optimism underpin everything we do.

“That optimism has been on display again this week, from the strength of our breeding stock sales to the Australian Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards tonight, where the people behind our industry are being recognised and celebrated.

“Despite the pressures facing the industry, there is still great confidence in the Australian thoroughbred and great pride in the people who make this industry what it is.

“As president, my focus will be on ensuring breeders have a strong, constructive and respected voice on the national issues that affect them, from the commercial settings that support investment to the Pattern system that underpins the value of our bloodstock.”

Thompson brings industry experience to the role through his positions as chairman of Aushorse and as a breeder representative on Australia’s Black Type Advisory Group.

He joined the TBA board last month through the vacant Aushorse Marketing seat.

TBA also acknowledged the resignation of Lyndhurst Stud Farm’s Jeff Kruger after several years representing Queensland breeders on the board.

Scott McAlpine, principal of Eureka Stud, has been appointed to replace Kruger as the representative of the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association.

Thompson said the board would continue to focus on supporting breeders and strengthening confidence across the industry.