A federal Australian court has denied a request by prominent Thoroughbred owner and breeder Bruce McHugh to allow artificial insemination in Thoroughbred breeding.

In upholding the current Thoroughbred breeding standard that requires a mare to be covered, Justice Alan Robertson ruled Dec. 19 that McHugh’s argument that the current breeding policies restrain trade comes up short on evidence. McHugh, a former bookmaker and former chairman of Sydney Turf Club, will have 21 days to appeal.

The Chairman of the International Federation of Horse Racing Authorities (IFHA), Louis Romanet, applauds the court’s decision.

"The dismissal of the challenge is a good outcome, and I welcome it," Romanet said. "The definition of what is a Thoroughbred is set out clearly in the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing, and Wagering and is adopted by all of the IFHA Members’ countries throughout the world. It requires a natural covering