Billionaire Gerry Harvey's Westbury Stud is considered one of New Zealand's dominant stud, consistently contributing the high numbers of yearlings through their sales' drafts. Australian retailer, Mr Harvey, also owns Australia's Baramul Stud, with more than 1000 horses, and is also a major shareholder in the Hunter Valley-based Vinery Stud while the Harvey family own the Australian thoroughbred auction house Magic Millions, which has one of that country's richest competitions in the Magic Millions Race Series. He acquired Westbury Stud, which was established by businessman Eric Watson, in 2009 when he bought out property developer Michael Tolli.
The Impact speaks to Russell Warwick, General Manager at the Westbury Stud, about their 2019 draft for the Karaka National Yearling Sale.
Q: Last year, you brought the maximum number of horses to this sale, what do you think buyers can expect from your 2019 draft, both in terms of quantity and quality?
A: Once again we have a large draft which offers horses at all levels and has a great mixture of sires represented. The quality is of a good standard and there are some lovely horses in the draft.
Q: If I’m looking for something special in your draft where should I start?
There are some very good individuals in the draft, some exciting two-year-old types and others more suited to be quality 3YO’s and upwards. Among the fillies Lot, 428 by Hinchinbrook from Spirit of Joy is a mature, running type of filly who could be well suited to the Karaka Million concept and is sure to win her share of admirers. Among the colts is the full brother to Bonneval (by Makfi) who is very similar to his sister, a very nice half-brother to More Wonder by Tavistock, a quality colt by the very commercial sire Zoustar from Vedex, and an impressive Dissident colt from Annie’s Logic.
Q: If you had a personal Karaka highlight reel what would be on it?
A: Horse of the Year Bonneval, Ruud Awakening’s Karaka Million victory, Oaks winners Sofia Rosa, & Miss Mossman, Doomben 10,000 winner Music Magnate, quality sprinter Julius, and some of the former stars who have been sold under the Westbury banner such as Buzz Lightyear, Il Quello Veloce, Secret, etc.
Q: Which particular yearling in recent years gave you the most pleasant surprise with the sale price?
A: We sold a High Chaparral filly from Alma Star who was an excellent type and we headed to the sales expecting her to make $150-200,000 and we were overwhelmed to see her make $500,000 when she went through the ring.
Q: As a breeder, what would you say makes the most commercial horse for this region?
A: Karaka has traditionally been such a successful producer of top racehorses that the buyers have an open mind to the type of horse they are looking to buy here. The advent of two races being run for $1,000,000 for graduates of the sale is an added incentive for buyers and there is obviously a desire to buy a horse who may find itself it one of these two races in the future. Other than that the staying horses obviously have an appeal to the broader bench as the Derby and Oaks winners often come from New Zealand and are very hard to source from within Australia.
Q: And finally, if you could spend a day in someone else’s shoes, whose would they are and why?
A: Bloodstock agent John Foote, as he is recognised as one of the best judges of a yearling around the world and his reputation globally is of the highest standard which sees him buying horses for some of the best trainers, breeders, and owners in the southern hemisphere.
Published in The Impact 3 Issue, 2 Vol
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Credit: Pallavi Shevade pallavi.shevade@secretariatsworld.com