Hi Col,
The 10% is a strange one really. What is it actually for? In many cases the trainer recommends to sell, so he understands he will be losing potential training fees and percentages.
What would the be position if the connections of a horse take someone else into the partnership, and the horse changes trainers? Does the original trainer get 10% of the newbies buy in?
As I am writing this, it has just dawn on me, if we abolished the 10% trainers clause, then there is good chance more horses would stay in N.Z. I think most reasonable owners would give the trainer a gratitude stipend. Look, I know it is tough training horses, and the variables can be cruel at times, and the 10% is a bonus that has been a given in the past, and it is a really hard one to try to be fair on all parties.
Cheers.
Robert.