Some of this country's best stallions were strutting their stuff at Darley's annual parade of stallions.
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Names like Lonhron and Exceed and Excel were joined by newcomers Epaulette and Dawn Approach parading in front of more than 1000 visitors to the stud's 'Kelvinside" property near Aberdeen.
While the world awaits the arrival of Black Caviar's Exceed and Excel foal due anytime soon the decision on who to choose for the upcoming season was on the mind of the many breeders watching the stallions on Saturday afternoon.
But the mood among some long term breeders was a bit subdued as they wondered what the future holds for the Hunter's thoroughbred industry given the impact of mine expansion on what they describe as the industry leaders Darley and Coolmore studs.
Darley operates two properties in the region 'Kelvinside" and the former Ingham family's 'Woodlands" holding that adjoins Coolmore stud near Jerrys Plains.
Earlier in the week the NSW Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC) held hearings in Denman concerning the Drayton South open cut coal mine project.
In December last year a PAC had rejected the proposed expansion saying it would have adverse impacts on Coolmore and Darley (Woodlands) but the mine's owners Anglo American have submitted a new retracted mine proposal that has since received a recommendation of approval from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.
Everyone is now awaiting the second PAC report on the latest proposal.
Darley's managing director Henry Plumptre speaking at the stallion parade said he hoped the NSW Premier would look at our industry and see we really are the whole deal when it comes to investment and diversification.
Ringside watching the proceedings was Julia Ritchie, Bangalow stud, The Oaks who has been visiting the Hunter since the early 1960s.
She is extremely concerned about the future of the thoroughbred industry in the region saying the expansion of open cut mining will wipe out the region's thoroughbred nursery industry.
"Why destroy a long term industry for short term goals - in 15 years there will be no mining and because they have destroyed the only other industry in the region, horse breeding, what will we have we left - nothing," she said.
"As far as I can see its one big business running over another big business but horse breeding has been around for generations and is a local business.
"We lose this industry it won't come back. I think we have reached a tipping point with the latest PAC ,if it goes against the studs then I believe thats the end of this wonderful sustainable industry."
Agreeing with Ms Ritchie's sentiments is Henry Field, owner of Newgate stud, Aberdeen - rated the fastest growing thoroughbred stud in the country.
Newgate Farm neighbours 'Kelvinside" and Mr Field said he chose the location because it was not under threat from mines.
He totally dismissed the argument horse breeding can co-exist with open cut mining.
"Thats a complete fallacy when they talk about co-existence - there will never be such a concept if the mines expand the studs die - its that simply," he said.
Scone Equine Hospital, director Angus Adkins said the hospital employed 100 staff including 34 vets.
"We have put our plans for a $6-$10million expansion of our practice on hold until we know the outcome of the latest PAC," he said.
"We cannot commit to spending that money without the knowledge that the region's two leading studs Darley and Coolmore are not threatened by mine expansions, " he said.
"We train vets and nurses who work throughout the world our equine expertise is recognised on an international level and we have the only intensive care equine hospital in Australia.
"But all of this is under threat from coal mine expansion."