How To Read a Standardbred Freeze Brand
Standardbreds are branded on the off side (right side) or their neck. Australia and New Zealand both brand standardbreds in the same place, however have different branding systems. Both types of brands are read from the top line starting on the left hand side, working across the line before moving onto the left hand side of the second line.
Australian freeze brands use the “alpha angle” symbols – with two lines of four symbols each.
Australian standardbred freeze brand example
| Example | Standardbred | State Postcode | Year of Foaling | Registration Number |
| S6130108 | S | 6 | 13 | 0108 |
New Zealand use the “T.V.I.” system of freeze brands which are applied as a two line brand. The top line is three symbols – two to denote the year of birth and the other (the letter “Z”) to indicate the country of origin (New Zealand). The bottom line is a four symbol number.
New Zealand standardbred freeze brand example
| Example | Year of Foaling | Country | Registration Number | Example |
| 12Z5574 | 12 | Z | 5574 | 12Z5574 |
Once you’ve translated your standardbred’s freeze brand you can search for your horse’s details on the Australian Harness Racing website here.
