Archive for category: TBV News

Many enter the Thoroughbred industry as a result of family influence and being surrounded by horses from a very young age. This is exactly how Brodie Becker, Owner of Stockwell Thoroughbreds first became involved in the industry.

Brodie was a one year old when the family moved to Victoria where his Dad was offered the manager role at Stockwell Stud. After four years the property was sold to Emirates Park, following this, his Dad started The Independent Stallion Station.

Brodie was heavily involved with working on the farm from a very young age.“I had more days off school than I did at school, so I could be on the farm,” exclaimed Brodie.

Although a couple of years ago, Brodie took a short break from the horses and worked in the mines in Western Australia. It wasn’t long before he was back in Victoria assisting his Dad on the farm, which was going through a difficult time with Equine Influenza.

Emirates Park offered the property back to Brodie and Mike. Brodie took over the business, rebranded and Stockwell Thoroughbreds was born. Although, as to be expected his Dad is instrumental in the running of the business to this day.

 

“This wouldn’t work without Dad, between Dad and my wife (Rowena) we are a team. It’s a proper family business,”Brodie remarked.

 

Despite falling into the industry from his Dad’s involvement, there was little doubt that Brodie would have spent much time away from the industry.

The in-depth passion of the breeding industry is very apparent when speaking to Brodie,

“The breeding industry sucks you in, you can’t leave even if you want to. Breeding is tough, but it is all worth it when the foals are being born. All your hard work and decisions pay off when you see the results on the ground. It doesn’t matter if it is the middle of the day or the middle of the night, there is no better feeling than seeing a mare foaling. It’s like a thrill,” remarked Brodie.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brodie and his father seem like the perfect team for Stockwell Thoroughbreds and both play to each other’s strengths. “Dad really thrives on the foaling. He loves it.”

Brodie enjoys working with the stallions and his Dad on the foaling side. However, it is evident that Brodie has profound passion for all things breeding!

It is clear that Stockwell is going from strength to strength ‘we don’t try and re-invent the wheel. We just let the horses be horses and allow nature to take his course.’ It is a very humble approach to the breeding industry given the advances in technology. “I would almost say that we are very old school, and that is due to Dad. There is a reason that the old school works.”

Following the success that Stockwell Thoroughbreds have been having, the evidence is there for all to see.

There is no doubt that Stockwell Thoroughbreds was always going to be based in Victoria. The family are well known to the Victorian breeding industry and have been for many years.

“I feel there is comradery in Victoria between farms and we are all willing to help each other out. As we were always the underdog we work hard together to try and build Victoria to make it stand out for what it is.”Enthused Brodie

This year has seen some exciting new investment to industry and Stockwell are working hard to ensure proven stallions are standing in Victoria. The future breeding industry in Victoria is looking exciting as it continues to flourish.

Stockwell Thoroughbreds have been proud to have the successful Artie Schiller standing at the farm. “He is by far our favourite, he has been with us from his first season at stud. He wasn’t a hot property horse when he first came out with a pedigree that people didn’t really know. He was supported by some large breeders in Victoria and New South Wales.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Brodie’s first racehorse he was involved with was a filly named Mango Daiquiri. This impressive filly won on Caulfield Cup Day, third in The Wakeful on Derby Day at Flemington and fourth in the Oaks. An impressive start to racehorse ownership, ‘that was my first ever racehorse that I had been in properly and I haven’t been in many racehorses since as that is pretty hard to top.

Brodie clearly has a wealth knowledge and when asked about advice he would pass on, he stated,

“Be willing to do the hard yards and try different things. If you are just starting out learn as much as you can and ask as many questions as you can. Try to get to as many sales and open days as possible and take on board what the old school guys have to say. Give your opinion whether it is taken or not at least it is showing that you are interested in what is happening.”

 

 

 

 

We love to hear about some of last season’s ‘famous’ foals…and it was great to recently get an update on a foal that won last year’s TBV Instagram Foal Photo Competition, a Nostradamus filly owned by trainer Charlotte Littlefield and Julian Hay

The inquisitive filly, nicknamed Blinx, was photographed with his cheeky friend, Maeve Kelly, at Littlefield and Hay’s Cranbourne property.

“As she had so much bling on her as a foal and with Winx going so well, we channelled the super mare and called her Blinx. Let’s hope we can get it through as her official race name,” Littlefield said.

“She was a late cover, being conceived on Melbourne Cup day, and was also a first foal so she won’t be big, but she is very well put together and well framed. Her mum, my first winner as a trainer, Bergerac Rose, was only 15.3 hands.

“Blinx’s little buddy Maeve still loves to come and visit her and we will be keeping her in our stable to race ourselves. Maeve is her first official owner, as we have gifted her a five per cent share.”

The daughter of Rosemont Stud’s Nostradamus, Blinx currently loves life with the spring sun on her back. Enjoying the company of her mates, a Squamosa colt and her best friend Florence (a Fiorente filly) who was bred out of Littlefield’s other mare Offshore Sham.

“They are a real little gang and are having the time of their lives growing up in the big beautiful grassy paddocks,” Littlefield said.

Drawing on her experienced equestrian background, having represented the UK as a junior in eventing, Littlefield breaks in all her own horses, establishes their paces under saddle, and pre-trains them until they are ready to come into full work.

Littlefield currently has 15 horses in training, including having broken-in seven this year.

“This is probably our biggest year yet. We have five coming in for their first preparation this week as well as another five racing, so it’s a pretty big week for the team.”

After having a year off last season, Bergerac Rose will be heading to Woodside Park sire Rich Enuff for an early cover in coming weeks.

“I love Rich Enuff and I did a lot of work with him under saddle in his second last and last preparation. I actually taught him to jump and kept his mind on the job. Mixing things up to keep him interested, calm and quiet when he was starting to get a bit colty.”

“He has been throwing sensational types and I can’t wait to have my own little Rich Enuff foal to train and race in the future!”

Renowned global horse transporter International Racehorse Transport (IRT) has signed a two-year extension on its sponsorship of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV).

IRT is a loyal supporter of Victoria’s breeding industry and at this time of year plays an integral role in bringing an elite group of shuttle stallions to our state.

It is equally important to the State’s thoroughbred breeding sector in facilitating the export of locally bred and sold yearlings to places such as South Africa, New Zealand and various jurisdictions of Asia.

The extended agreement sees IRT retain naming rights to the official Victorian Stallions Roster. IRT will also continue to have a prominent presence on TBV communications and at TBV events including the Victorian Owners & Breeders Race Day at Caulfield and the Victorian Breeders Awards.

Managing Director, Chris Burke, proudly affirmed IRT’s commitment to Victorian breeders through the transport of shuttle stallions and Victorian bred exports.

“First and foremost, IRT is well aware of the massive contribution breeders make in supplying horses to the racing industry, without which there would be no racing for us to enjoy,” Burke said.

“IRT shuttles stallions to Victoria each year, and we are grateful for the opportunity to bring in new bloodlines for breeders to access.

“We also appreciate our role in giving overseas purchasers the confidence that they can buy a Victorian bred yearling at an Australian sale and through a professional company, fly their horse back to their destination in good hands.”

Echoing Burke’s sentiments, TBV President, James O’Brien, is delighted that IRT has agreed to an extended partnership.

“IRT has been a trusted and loyal partner of TBV’s for several year now. They are critical to the operation of Victoria’s breeding industry, particularly with respect to shuttle stallions and yearling exports,” O’Brien explained.

“IRT shares our ambition to deliver positive outcomes for the Victorian breeding industry, and their direct support enables us to do exactly that.”

IRT recently delivered a raft of globetrotting stallions to Victoria for the imminent breeding season, ensuring our breeders have continued access to quality bloodlines and gene pools.

Those stallions include Americain (Swettenham Stud), Brazen Beau (Darley), Cable Bay (Woodside Park), Frosted (Darley) Highland Reel (Swettenham Stud), Jimmy Creed (Spendthrift), Street Boss (Darley), Toronado (Swettenham) and Warrior’s Reward (Spendthrift).

The occasion of the Horses’ Birthday on 1 August was used to announce a two-year extension to the partnership between Tabcorp and Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria (TBV).

Representatives of Tabcorp and TBV joined Victorian-bred Group 1 winning hero Hey Doc at Tony McEvoy’s Flemington stables for the exciting announcement.

The agreement will see Tabcorp’s wagering arm, TAB, secure rights as TBV’s exclusive principal partner and official wagering partner. The two-year agreement is an extension to the partnership first established in 2015. TAB will continue to have a prominent presence on TBV communications and at TBV events.

Tabcorp’s Victorian General Manager, Wagering Trevor Parkes and TBV President James O’Brien presented Hey Doc with a special birthday cake and a carrot to mark the special day for thoroughbred horses.

“Tabcorp is a supporter of racing’s participants and our partnership with TBV is a natural fit,” Mr Parkes said.

“Tabcorp’s businesses return more than $1 billion to the three codes of Australian racing each year.

“Our partnership with TBV will continue to help it promote thoroughbred breeding in Victoria and we’re delighted to back this important industry.”

TBV President James O’Brien was thrilled Tabcorp had agreed to an extension of this important industry partnership.

“Tabcorp is a loyal and long-time supporter to Victorian racing delivering enormous dollars to our industry,” Mr O’Brien said.

“Tabcorp’s direct support of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria most certainly enables us to enhance our marketing and support of the state’s breeding sector.”

Tabcorp, Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria’s principal sponsor, has further demonstrated its dedication to thoroughbred racing and breeding by extending its partnership with Inglis for a further two years.

The renewed agreement between Inglis and Tabcorp’s wagering arm, TAB, takes the formal relationship between the pair to eleven years.

Tabcorp’s Managing Director of Wagering and Media Adam Rytenskild said he was thrilled with the ongoing partnership.

“Tabcorp is the biggest supporter of thoroughbred racing in Australia. Our businesses return $1 billion to the racing industry each year and our partnership with Inglis is yet another demonstration of our commitment to Australian racing,’’ he said.

“We look forward to introducing our punters and partners to the world class Inglis Riverside Stables development and (newly renovated) Oaklands Junction in Melbourne. Our Sky Racing broadcasts and our wagering services will help support Inglis buyers, breeders and trainers.

“Our renewed partnership will also support the Inglis race series and the inaugural $4 million Inglis race day at Warwick Farm in February 2019 – a great prelude to the Golden Slipper Carnival and The Championships.’’

Inglis’ Managing Director Mark Webster described the deal as exciting and reassuring.

“It makes sense. It’s as simple as that,’’ he said.

“We are the market leader in our field and have been for a long time. And TAB is market leader in its field and has been for a long time.

“We have had a fantastic relationship with the TAB team for more than a decade and I’m thrilled we have been able to come to terms to extend that again.”

With Inglis having moved into the new Riverside sales complex in Sydney earlier this year, a major renovation of Melbourne’s Oaklands Junction complex is now in full swing.

The works are expected to be completed for the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale in March.

A first pony at twelve years old and a deep interest in horses has led Bendigo’s Hannah Mika to take up equine studies at Marcus Oldham College.

Hannah is studying her Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham and is the current Australian Thoroughbred scholarship recipient, a scholarship supported by Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria .

It was a fateful day at the age of twelve when Hannah received her first ever pony and, despite coming from a family with no prior equine interests, she has been an avid horse enthusiast ever since.

“Growing up I attended my local pony club, Neangar Park (at Eaglehawk near Bendigo), and was regularly out at eventing competitions on the weekends. We wanted to go somewhere we could learn more about horses and have fun at the same time,” Hannah explains.

While Hannah is still a member of her local pony club to this day, upon completion of her VCE studies she initially intended to pursue her interest in equine dentistry at a tertiary level.

It was through her pony’s dentist, Russell Schischka, that she was introduced to Stonehouse Thoroughbreds’ Ryan Arnel, a graduate of Marcus Oldham College himself.

Ryan strongly encouraged Hannah to get some hands-on experience prior to commencing her university studies, which was an invaluable piece of advice that has undoubtedly placed Hannah in great stead today.

Taking Ryan’s wise words on board, Hannah packed her bags and gained an opportunity to work with the highly respected Tweenhills Farm and Stud in England for a year.

“I was a stable hand; mucking out stalls, prepping yearlings for sale and assisting with the breaking in process of a few yearlings. This was a steep learning curve for me as it was my first real glimpse into the thoroughbred industry but at the same time it was thoroughly rewarding,” she said.

It was at Tweenhills that Hannah worked under the guidance of Graham McCourt, a former Champion Hurdle winning jockey, who now works as the farm’s yearling manager and breaking in manager.

Under Graham’s guidance, Hannah embarked on a transformative experience. In particular, she was inspired by his tremendous horsemanship and, as she explains in her own words, “the way he handles the horses is amazing.”

It was a major turning point for Hannah, instilling in her a great passion for the thoroughbred breeding industry.

Prior to returning home, she reconnected with Ryan Arnel who suggested that she should apply for the Diploma of Equine Management at Marcus Oldham.

“I took his advice and did some research on what the course had to offer and decided that this was the path for me,” Hannah explains.

Since arriving home, Hannah has continued to gain practical work experience. She has completed a yearling preparation at Stonehouse Thoroughbreds, and was also introduced to the team at Three Bridges Thoroughbreds.

While she is now settling into her studies at Marcus Oldham College, she is especially eager to meet more breeding industry participants.

“Gaining contacts is one amazing thing that I’m looking forward to, as well as the opportunities that will come about from this experience,” she explained.

The first half of the diploma’s curriculum is focused on general horse management, followed by a semester specifically concentrated on racing and breeding including a stint at Coolmore in the Hunter Valley.

As for Hannah’s ultimate ambition, she hopes to one day emulate her role model, Graham McCourt, to become a highly respected horseperson in the position of yearling manager or breaking in manager.

TBV will be sure to follow Hannah’s development with a keen interest, and we wish her all the best in her current studies and future endeavours.

The Australian Thoroughbred Scholarship is offered annually through Marcus Oldham. Along with TBV, the scholarship is supported by Coolmore Stud, Star Thoroughbreds, Mustad Saddleworld, Prydes Easifeed and Plasvacc.