Rising Star Spotlight: Lilly Collins

Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria is proud to shine a light on Lilly Collins, one of this year's Rising Star Award nominees, as part of our wider ongoing commitment to highlight and showcase both the current and next generation of talent within the Victorian breeding ranks.

For Lilly, the path into the thoroughbred industry started with a simple case of nine-to-five fatigue. She saw Woodside Park Stud was hiring, and decided to give it a shot. She was offered the position, joined the team in 2023, and hasn't looked back.

Raised on a farm with cattle and sheep, Lilly always assumed her future lay in the cattle industry, so thoroughbreds were not on her radar. Woodside changed that. She never anticipated becoming so passionate about horses, but now genuinely looks forward to coming to work each day and learning as she goes.

Lilly’s passion has been fuelled by the sheer variety of her role. During breeding season, Lilly helps care for pregnant mares and assists with foaling down, moments she describes as “unmatched”, particularly watching a mare run alongside her newborn foal for the first time.

She then gets to watch those same foals grow and develop their own personalities. "Horses express so many emotions, and learning how to read, understand and work alongside them is an experience that is difficult to describe," Lilly said.

Lately, Lilly has been enjoying the problem-solving that has come from spending more time with the stud’s younger stock. “I particularly enjoy finding different ways to teach each horse the same skills because every animal learns and responds differently.” This has given her a deeper appreciation for the industry as a whole.

“The equine world is such a vast and close-knit community that you don't fully understand its depth until you're part of it,” Lilly said.

Much of that growth she credits to Woodside's Broodmare Manager, Tracey Ferguson. "I arrived at Woodside with very little knowledge of the equine industry, and Tracey took me under her wing," Lilly said. "She has taught me everything I know today, and I could not be more grateful to her or the entire Woodside team for their guidance and support."

Coming from a cattle background has given Lilly a unique perspective on just how different the two agricultural worlds can be. She still remembers her surprise the first time she saw a mare caslicked, a procedure done with a fine needle and as much care and comfort as possible. By contrast, the cattle equivalent involves a much longer, thicker needle and shoelace-like ties. She admits to still squinting every time she sees it done.

It may not have been the career Lilly originally pictured for herself, but it's one she has come to truly love. She's proud of how far she's come since joining Woodside, and excited to keep growing alongside the beautiful animals that have helped change her path.