What is the hidden meaning behind racehorse brands in Australia and NZ?

Discover how this technique uniquely identifies individual horses and how to read each brand.

View more learn videos here:

In the thoroughbred breeding industry of Australia and New Zealand, freeze branding stands as a distinguished tradition. Unlike other parts of the world, this practice involves branding on the shoulder of the horse once they are weaned from their mother. This mark is not only a means of identification but also a symbol of pride for breeders and owners alike.

Freeze branding was introduced for Thoroughbreds in Australia around the mid-1980s. This method gained popularity as a more humane and effective means of permanently identifying horses compared to hot branding​.

The freeze branding process involves using extreme cold to alter the pigment-producing cells in the hair follicles, resulting in white hair growth in the branded area. It does not leave any scarring on the skin like hot branding does and is significantly less painful. Horses will typically stand for the entire 15 to 30 second duration without a reaction. 

On the left shoulder of the horse, you will typically find the brand of the farm where the horse was born. This mark signifies the origin of the horse and the efforts of the breeders who invested heavily in the mating and upbringing of the foal. Many breeders have their own unique brand, much like a signature, that they take great pride in. Just as owners display their silks on race day, the brand serves as a lasting emblem of their hard work and dedication to breeding.

In most cases, the brand on the left shoulder indicates the farm of birth, while additional markings are found on the off shoulder (right side). The branding arrangement includes two key numbers, the bottom number represents the last number from the year the horse was born so a 2 could represent 2002, 2012 or 2022. The top number indicates the sequential number of the foal born on that farm in that year, so for example if you see the number 30 you know that was the 30th foal born on that farm for that year. 

One of Boomer Bloodstock’s clients, Daandine Stud, sticks to an old school method of branding. Their horses bear their complete brand on the near side shoulder, featuring a distinctive half crescent moon symbol. Alongside this emblem, the foal number on the farm and the year of birth are also included, following the conventional format.

Occasionally, farms might alter the top number to reflect specific preferences or signify something meaningful. However, the bottom number remains constant, always indicating the year of birth with no two brands the same in a given year.

Read about the trapezoid theory here: