Gladfield horse breeder Basil Nolan, of Raheen stud, has been inducted into the Racing Queensland Hall of Fame. He has been involved all his life in the industry and puts down his greatest achievement as playing a part in "ensuring the breeders have a voice in the running of racing in Queensland and nationally"
"We had to get the politicians on board," he said.
"Costs are so important at the moment, fuel, fertiliser and everyday living have become so expensive.
"Dry weather hurts, we lock up our yearlings for eight to 10 weeks before sale, but we have to graze them and the mares somewhere for the rest of the year."
They breed up to 100 yearlings a year at Gladfield and he rates Seasons Bloom as the best, a gelding that won a Group 1 race in Hong Kong. Long-serving racing industry identity Scott McAlpine said at the presentation that "we celebrate a man whose life’s work has helped shape the very foundations of the Queensland and Australian thoroughbred industry".
"Basil grew up in racing and breeding, with his parents establishing Raheen Stud in 1957 near Warwick. Raheen has grown under Basil’s leadership into one of Queensland’s most respected thoroughbred nurseries."
He was first elected to the Thoroughbred Breeders Queensland Association committee in 1969 at just 22 years of age and went on to serve as president from 1980 to 1991, before returning to the role again in 2010 — a testament to the trust and respect he commands within the industry.
"One of Basil’s defining strengths has been his ability to advocate effectively at government level. Through decades of consultation with ministers and senior officials, he has played a central role in delivering lasting reforms," Mr McAlpine said.
"Adding to this rare breadth of experience is Basil’s 22-year career as a bookmaker at Eagle Farm, where his firsthand knowledge of wagering proved instrumental in shaping race-fields legislation and improving the distribution of prizemoney across Queensland".
At a national level, Mr Nolan has been a Queensland representative on the board of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia since its inception in 2005 and served as president from 2014 until May this year. This role ensured Queensland had a strong and respected voice nationally.
State achievements
. Strengthened QTIS and Breeders Bonus schemes,
· the protection of the QTIS Sale,
· improved promotion of Queensland-bred horses,
· vital animal welfare and rehoming initiatives,
· securing funding for Hendra Virus research and the rollout of the Hendra vaccine,
· retaining the Group 1 status of the Queensland Oaks, and
· implementing emergency programs for breeders during devastating flood and drought events
National achievements
· driving improved marketing through Aushorse,
· expanding black-type racing opportunities,
· supporting micro-chipping and DNA identification, and
· helping establish a thriving international export market for Australian thoroughbreds.
