Microchip Fee

As you are no doubt aware, every thoroughbred has a microchip inserted for ease and certainty of identification.

Microchips are a secure and simple way of certainty of identification of a horse at any time - on transfer of ownership, on moving between stable yards, on passing starting stalls, on racing, on taking of samples etc.

The most efficient and cost-effective time to carry out the microchipping process is as a foal simultaneously with the taking of a blood sample for parentage testing. The breeders have carried the full cost of both processes even though the real use of the microchip occurs during the horse's racing career.

Discussions with the NHA about the burden of the cost of microchipping concluded with the understanding that the microchip costs should be passed on to the new owner when the horse is sold.
The TBA have requested sales companies to implement this practise and consequently BSA have introduced a microchip fee in its terms and conditions. The current fee is R350 excluding VAT. This will be added to the buyer's invoice and paid over to the vendor as from the National Two Year Old Sale.

Absolute nonsense. The breeders and their associations have cheek to implement this arbitrary fee

An absolute liberty. This bunch of Neanderthals called TBA had better wake up and stop this rot immediately.
It was a long morning today. It started with my alarm waking me at 03h15. I had to get to the Airport for the early flight to CT, for tomorrow's Sale.
Upon arrival at Durbanville, in true CTS style, we were treated to a great breakfast on the house. So unlike TBA....
Next this bunch will want us to pay for deworming or farrier or vaccines from before the Sale...
Chips have been around for a long time. Now suddenly the buyers must pay for them. It's not about the R350. It's about how stupid the industry looks.... And about how poor the Breeders also look.

Absolutely ridiculous . I can't believe someone actually thought this was valid.

The smaller owners are getting gatvol and are going to be lost to the industry sooner rather than later

Only industry in the world that the grower makes more money than anyone else.

You never go to a restaurant and thank the butcher after a good steak

Retraction of microchip fee

The TBA represents the interests of breeders, and there have been a number of complaints over the years of high costs of foal registrations. Microchipping in particular has been a source of discontent in that it is essential for the regulation of racing but yet the costs are borne entirely by the stud book department of the NHA and thence by the breeders. Another claim by breeders is that when microchipping was first introduced it was stated that it would be done at no cost to breeders.



Accordingly, the matter has been raised with the NHA board and requested that the microchipping cost be borne centrally by the regulator so that the cost be spread between operators, owners and breeders who all fund the NHA. This was unsuccessful and with continuing complaints from members about the microchipping, BSA made the decision to introduce this charge with effect from the National Two Year Old Sale.



However given the feedback now received by BSA from both vendors and buyers, it appears that a microchip fee on buyers would be detrimental to the competitive positioning of BSA in the throroughbred auction marketplace. It also appears that breeders, despite their complaints about the cost of the microchip, do not actually wish to pass these on to buyers. Accordingly BSA have decided to postpone any implementation of a microchip fee.

I confirm that all purchases on the National Two Sale 2015 will not attract a microchip fee.

Kind Regards

Susan Rowett
Chairlady

BloodStock South Africa

What a PR disaster! I do not know this lady nor do I know who is on the TBA board, but this must be the most ill conceived idea approved by any board in any jurisdiction! Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! I have been reading some comments on Sporting Post and it is clear that public reaction to this idiotic decision has forced the TBA's hand. The question now has to be who approved it? If I were a breeder I would be deeply troubled with the leadership at the TBA and my horses would most definitely go to the professional set up at CTS.

Most industries try to establish ,IN ADVANCE, reaction to certain moves..............not the racing industry........................... their modus operandi tends to be FIRE,AIM and maybe READY............lol :evil:
(..............................done on the advice of the NHA...................say no more!)

Never easy to back down from a decision but well done for correcting a rather penny pinching call in the first place.

Mountain out of a molehill imo

But i do agree that breeders should cover the cost

Bob Brogan wrote: Mountain out of a molehill imo

But i do agree that breeders should cover the cost

Bob,If you buy a racehorse,even if you don't hang on to the bitter end (ie racing it only it at 2,3 and 4 ) the cost is at least R250,000 + purchase price.
As you say,in the context ,R350 is nothing ,but the contempt that the solution showed for owners ,is probably plenty!