TBV Welcomes New Committee Member Ryan McEvoy

TBV is delighted to welcome Ryan McEvoy to the TBV committee. Ryan has spent his career across two of Australia’s most influential studs — Widden in NSW and now Rosemont, where he is General Manager, Bloodstock. With a passion for supporting breeders and driving the industry forward, Ryan brings valuable insight and experience to the board. In the Q&A below, he shares more about his career journey, highlights, and what he hopes to bring to TBV.

Can you tell us a little about your career journey in the thoroughbred industry and what first drew you to it? 

Born & raised in North-East Victoria and developed a passion for the thoroughbred from a pretty early age. The family raced a couple of horses locally, so I guess that’s where I caught the bug!  

Upon completing VCE, I was fortunate to have a pathway close to home via the North-East Institute where I completed a diploma in Horse Breeding. This led to an opportunity at the famed Widden Stud where I spent the next 15 years exposed to every corner of the industry.  

In 2020, I joined Rosemont Stud as General Manager, Bloodstock in what is an exciting period in their evolvement.  

Both are wonderful farms and am lucky to have been mentored by some brilliant people along the way.  

  You’ve worked at both Widden Stud (in NSW) and currently Rosemont — what were some of the highlights or learnings from those experiences? 

Have had many great experiences throughout my professional career but ultimately, it’s the people and horses that I have worked, or, had an association with that have been the real highlight.  

The late David Merrick (former Widden Stud Manager) was a man of few words but a gifted horseman with tremendous work ethic and am grateful to have spent a number of years working closely with him whilst I was starting out.  

From a horse perspective, it’s been cool to see stars like Sunlight, Dissident & Vinrock develop from their foaling stage through to yearling prep & ultimately Group One success.  

Finally, Schwarz, a Rosemont partnership purchase, winning the $1M William Reid Stakes WFA-Gr.1 at the Valley earlier in the year was a memorable moment personally – not least because it combined both Widden excellence (breeder) and a proud chapter in the Rosemont vision. 

Having been closely involved with horses like Zoustar at Widden, what has been most exciting about your time at Rosemont over the past five years? 

One farm (Widden) has been on a 150+ year journey whilst the other (Rosemont) is really just starting out so from that aspect I have enjoyed being involved in both studs – particularly as they navigate what the next 10, 20 years look like.  

Whilst Rosemont is in its infancy, it is driven by fierce ambition and an incredible amount of passion from Mitho (Anthony Mithen, Rosemont Principal) and Nigel (Nigel Austin, Rosemont co-owner). I really enjoy the challenge of assisting Mitho & Nige in driving such a young business forward.  

The Rosemont mission has always been to be proud of the stallions we stand, the service we provide and the horses we breed. With the recent number of stakes winners being bred off the farm plus the success & popularity of stallions such as Shamus Award, Schwarz & Henry Longfellow we’re starting to see a clearer version of that vision. That’s what excites me.  

What do you hope to bring to TBV in your role as a committee member? 

The TBV Board consists of some outstanding individuals who I know are strong, passionate advocates in promoting the Victorian breeding industry, supporting breeders and having meaningful collaboration with stakeholders.  

I’m excited to be able to contribute ideas & add to their ongoing discussions which hopefully lead to solutions that have a practical & positive impact for breeders within the state. That should be the expectation of our members and the board’s President Pete Murray & Executive Officer Carrie Hu do a terrific job in driving this.  

Are there particular areas within the Victorian breeding industry that you’re especially passionate about advocating for or strengthening? 

We need an industry that sees breeders thriving not just surviving. The economic challenges facing smaller breeders in particular are evident and I am keen to add to the discussions as to how we can better resource & support small breeder engagement.  

Foal crops sizes are falling – largely due to the decline in smaller breeders which needs to be acknowledged - so it is incumbent on leadership to encourage stronger participation from this sector.  

Outside of breeding, what do you enjoy doing when you’re not at the farm or immersed in racing? 

Enjoy spending as much time as I can with the fam which includes plenty of sport on the weekends! Two young boys keep us busy, but we love it. They’re not going to be young forever so enjoying their craziness.