AUSTRALIAN harness racing giant Kevin Seymour has called for the industry to “wake up quickly” and support the future of the $2.1mil TAB Eureka.
Seymour slammed speculation the future of the world’s richest harness race could be under threat and said quashing it would be a step towards relegating harness racing to just a “hobby” sport.
“We need to be aspirational and give people a reason to go to the yearling sales and buy a horse with the dream of a life changing win,” he said.
“The TAB Eureka is the race that does that and it’s imperative we not just protect it, but continue to invest in, promote and build it.
“I’ve got no doubt it’s helping our breeding industry by creating added interest in yearling sales.
“Simply, the TAB Eureka is lifting the industry by its bootstraps and making it attractive to people outside of the bubble and that’s crucial.
“Look at the success of it in just two years. Turnover is huge, Menangle hasn’t seen crowds like it and the quality of horses to come out of the race speaks for itself. Not to mention the promotion it drives for the sport.”
Leap To Fame and Catch A Wave have become two of Australia’s best pacers and multi-millionaires since the inaugural 2023 TAB Eureka and last year’s winner, Don Hugo, went on to win the huge Inter Dominion and Miracle Mile just months after his TAB Eureka victory.
“This race is giving the sport national exposure and has become, along the Inter Dominion, a flagship race,” Seymour said.
“It’s become iconic and if you don’t believe me, ask those who have won it so far and others, like me, who are desperate to win it.
“If we don’t have showcase races like this, we won’t remain a commercial sport, we’ll turn into a hobby sport and slide into oblivion.
“We have to build dreams and create the possibility of winning a pot of gold, a life changing amount of money.”
Seymour dismissed suggestions the TAB Eureka was a "race for the wealthy" in harness racing.
"Anyone can buy or breed a (Australian-bred) yearling with the chance to get into the race, that's the beauty of it," he said. "Look at the first winner (Encipher)."
Encipher was bred and raced by Kadina hobbyist, Tyson Linke.
Seymour added that he was a personal example of the many who have invested more in Australian-bred yearlings because of the TAB Eureka.
“So many of our best (Aussie) horses have been NZ-bred, but I’m proud my best recent horses have been Australian-bred like Leap To Fame, Tims A Trooper, Fate Awaits, Path To Glory and others,” he said.
“As an owner you buy them to try and win the TAB Eureka, but the byproduct will be creating more Australian-bred commercial stallions, too.”
Seymour has put his money behind his words, not only with his yearling purchases, but also by taking slots in races like the TAB Eureka and Queensland’s $500,000 Protostar two-year-old feature.
“I love them. They are vitally important and, of course, I’ll support them in every way I can,” he said.
With this year’s TAB Eureka less than a month away, Seymour is nearing a decision on which pacer will race in his slot with three-time Group 1 winner Fate Awaits and Nutrien Sales 3YO final winner Path To Greatness the front runners.
“I’m not rushing because the race means so much and I want to get it right,” he said.
“We had Leap To Fame in our slot and he ran second in 2023, then we used our slot on Bay Of Biscay and he ran second last year … it’s time to go one better.”
Originally published at theeureka.com.au
