IT’S a dream come true to have your first sire get a Golden Slipper winner in his first crop and this provided a wonderful start for Joe Heather, who was appointed general manager of Telemon Thoroughbreds at Innisplain in 2018. Joe, who has been around horses all his life, is pragmatic about how long Sidestep…
KATE Grimwade was appointed assistant trainer at Flemington to James Cummings almost 12 months ago and, while the work at Godolphin’s historic Carbine Lodge stables is demanding, the rewards are immense. Since her appointment there has been one reason after another to celebrate. It all began for Kate when the imported Pivotal horse Avilius (GB)…
FROM a “horse mad” child to a horse whisperer, Libby Bleakley has spent virtually her whole life learning about thoroughbreds from some of the best in the business. Now she is putting that knowledge to good use at Highden Park, a property she owns with husband Sam, and experiencing some spectacular success at the sales…
THE thoroughbred industry can be very tough on participants. In fact high-flying entrepreneur Robert Holmes a’Court, who owned numerous notables including 1984 Melbourne Cup winner Black Night, once said, “If you survive in racing you will survive in anything.”
Yet, quite remarkably, Boomer Bloodstock, operated by Craig Rounsefell with the support of his American-born wife McCall,…
THE attitude towards female jockeys has changed rapidly in the past decade, as riders like classic-winning Clare Lindop set the pace by steering home Gr.1 winners and leading premierships. Now, as her riding career may be winding down, Clare reflects on her start in the industry and on some of the highs and lows of…
The surf breaks of Sydney’s northern beaches are a world away from the farming country at Walcha, but Greg Bennett made the transition in his early teens and soon became involved in the world of horses and pony clubs before graduating to became one of Australia’s most respected horse breakers. Now a highly successful trainer…
KEEPING elite thoroughbreds happy and thriving can be an exacting task and a vital link is the spelling farm where these athletes get the chance to regroup after racing. After a lifetime with horses Colin Branthwaite knows just what they need to keep on winning, bringing all his skills to play on the residents of…
Craig Anderson has spent a lifetime accumulating thoroughbred lore, starting with a very good mentor in the shape of his father Syd. Now this is paying big dividends as his Amarina Farm, which he owns in partnership, is recognised as one of the nation’s leading consignors of yearlings and one of the best farms in…
Irishman Ross Hatton has found his nirvana at Cornerstone Stud, seduced by the horses, people and lifestyle of the Barossa Valley. It’s a far cry from Kilkenny, but the thoroughbred heritage runs deep in his veins and he’s delighted to be part of the resurgence of the famous South Australian property.
SINCE being established by Colin…
It can be a hard road following in the footsteps of a famous father but champion jockey George Moore told his son Gary he was proud of his achievements as a Gr-1 winning jockey and a trainer in Europe and Asia. Now settled in Sydney, Gary trained his first local Gr.1 winner when Takedown won…