European stayers, bought for Australian owners

Who this is for

• Owners who want a European-raced stayer or horse in training for Australian racing.
• Syndicators who need a well-vetted horse with a clear story and clean paperwork for their partners.
• Breeders looking for fillies and mares from European families.
• Owners in New Zealand, and buyers of Arabians or sport horses. Same care, different paperwork.

Why Australian owners look at European stayers

Europe has a deep programme of races over a mile and a half and further, on turf. That produces horses with stamina and experience of different tracks and ground. It is one reason European-bred and European-raced horses are often seen in the big staying races of the Australian spring, which builds to the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November (Victoria Racing Club). More on that in why European-bred stayers do well in the Melbourne Cup.

We say this plainly: none of it is a promise. A horse can win, lose, or decide it prefers the paddock. Our job is to give you the best chance of a sound, well-chosen horse at a fair price, and to tell you when a horse is not worth it.

What we do for you

• Shortlists. 3–5 horses that fit your budget, your trainer and Australian racing, with form, pedigree notes, video and our honest pick.
• Catalogue and vet review. We read the catalogue pages, inspect on the ground and arrange independent X-rays and a wind scope. You and your trainer get every report.
• Bidding to your limit. At Tattersalls (Newmarket), Goffs (Ireland) and Arqana (Deauville), in your name, never above the price you set in writing.
• Private purchases. Many good horses in training are never in a catalogue. We negotiate quietly with owners and trainers.
• Shipping and quarantine. We coordinate with specialist shippers and a licensed import agent: papers, insurance, the flight and both quarantine bookings. See how racehorse transport works.
• Placing with your trainer. Licensed trainers train. We hand the horse to your licensed Australian or New Zealand trainer, or help you choose one, then keep you updated.

See all the sales we buy from, and how we work at Tattersalls from overseas.

Have a spring target in mind? Email info@silkroadbloodstock.com with the race, the budget and your trainer's name, or send your brief. The earlier we start, the fewer weeks the horse spends looking at quarantine walls.

Import and registration basics (checked 22 Oct 2026)

Import: Australia's Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry sets the rules. In general, a horse from Europe needs an import permit, then 14 days of pre-export quarantine at an approved facility, overseen by the exporting country's official vet. After arrival it spends at least 14 days in post-arrival quarantine, usually at the government facility at Mickleham, Victoria; the department can extend this. The full conditions for each country are in BICON, the department's import conditions database. Source: DAFF, importing live horses.

Registration: an owner can be a person, a registered syndicate, a company or a stud. An imported horse that will be trained in Australia generally needs an import application to the Australian Stud Book and identification by an approved vet before it can be registered to race. Source: Racing Australia, racing overseas horses. Your trainer will know the local steps in your state.

New Zealand: New Zealand has its own import and racing rules. We check them with your shipper and trainer before you buy.

Currencies

Tattersalls sells in guineas: one guinea is £1.05 (Great British Racing International). Goffs and Arqana sell in euros. Our fee is quoted in US dollars, and we give you a rough Australian dollar figure too, so nothing is lost in translation. You pay the sales company in the sale's own currency through your bank.

Time zones

We are in Dubai (GMT+4). Sydney and Melbourne are 6 or 7 hours ahead of us, depending on daylight saving, so your afternoon is our morning. Email is best and gets a reply within 24 hours, usually the same day. On sale days we keep you updated by email and phone while the horse is in the ring.

Fees

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first. Budgets from US$50,000 per horse. Vetting, insurance, shipping and quarantine are quoted before you commit. Full details: fees and process.

Questions Australian owners ask

Can I buy at Tattersalls, Goffs or Arqana without flying over?

Yes. We inspect on the ground, send you and your trainer the vet reports and videos, and bid in your name up to the limit you set in writing. You pay the sales company directly.

What quarantine does a horse from Europe need to enter Australia?

In general, an import permit, 14 days of pre-export quarantine in the exporting country, then at least 14 days of post-arrival quarantine in Australia, usually at Mickleham, Victoria. The full conditions are in BICON, and a licensed horse import agent handles the bookings.

Can a European horse still make the Spring Carnival this year?

It depends on timing. Quarantine, travel and settling in take weeks, and the horse must be registered and qualified for its race. For most spring targets the planning starts many months ahead. Email us and we will tell you honestly what is realistic.

How much do you charge?

5% fee (min US$5,000), agreed in writing. You pay the seller directly; your money never goes through us. If we are ever paid by both sides, both are told in writing first.

Looking for a European horse?

Email Sami first: your city, your budget, the horse you want and your trainer. He reads every message himself. Other countries? See how we work worldwide.

Email Sami Send your brief

Phone +971 52 311 2385 (Dubai, GMT+4). Free video call at a time that suits Sydney or Melbourne. WhatsApp as backup: +971 52 311 2385.