James Price had a long career of over 10 years at Inglis as Senior Bloodstock Consultant in Victoria before he joined Woodside Park last year as its new General Manager, Commercial. He is responsible for the management of Woodside’s bloodstock, stallion nominations and MarComs.
The Impact speaks to James Price about the Woodside Park 2019 draft and much more:
Q: Woodside Stud is a name synonymous with high-quality drafts. Your 2018 draft broke records at this sale, what can buyers expect from your 2019 draft, both in terms of quantity and quality?
A: The draft Woodside Park Stud will present in 2019 is down on numbers but by no means down on quality. This year’s draft is heavily swayed to proven stallions – with the exception of Nicconi, every stallion represented in the session 1 draft has sired G1 winners (Written Tycoon, I Am Invincible, Dundeel & All American). Our resident stallion and Victoria’s leader, Written Tycoon has six represented, five of which are colts proving timing is everything as he sired his first stakes winner in Hong Kong over the weekend with Mission Tycoon winning the Hong Kong Classic Cup.
Coupled by leading proven stallions, the draft presents yearlings out of stakes performers or producers of stakes performers. Of considerable note are the following lots:
Lot 76 – Written Tycoon colt is the second foal of stakes winner Best Yet To Come
Lot 77 – All American colt is a half to G1 Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time
Lot 106 – Written Tycoon filly is the third foal of the stakes-winning Hurricane Run mare Charleston Lady
Lot 117 – Nicconi filly is a full sister to this season’s stakes performed 2YO Lankan Star
Lot 154 – Written Tycoon colt is the second foal out of the stakes performed 2YO mare, Dutch Romance
Lot 453 – Nicconi filly is out of the stakes performed Sky Journey
Q: If I’m looking for something special in your draft where should I start?
A: Along with the strength of Written Tycoon’s in the draft it is hard to go past the I Am Invincible colt out of Invested Capital, lot 230. This colt comes from the international family that includes G1 winner of last season, Leicester who now races in Hong Kong as Helene Leading Star. By Australia’s leading stallion I Am Invincible, buyers will flock to see him at Oaklands.
Q: Who would you say was Woodside’s most special horse and why?
A: Written Tycoon is Woodside Park Stud’s flagbearer. Purchased at a mixed sale in 2009 for $625,000 having stood two seasons at stud his future success at stud was the great known. Heavily supported by his shareholders, Written Tycoon soon made a name for himself proving to be a rags-to-riches story. Many breeders talk about the opportunity to breed to him in the early years when sending three mares for $3,000 each. A very small pitch to today’s service fee of $100,000 for one mare!! Written Tycoon has not only put Woodside Park Stud name in lights but also been a shining light for the Victorian industry.
Written Tycoon has given Victorian breeders a proven commercial option in their home state rather than transporting their mares to the Hunter Valley in NSW. At the age of 16, Written Tycoon still has good years ahead in the breeding barn operating at the fertility of over 90% in 2018 but particularly on the race track as his latest crops now are out of a higher calibre mare.
Q: When you plan matings, what are the factors you take into account. Do you look at the pedigrees with the intent of the resulting progeny winning specific races or do you look at overall athleticism?
A: The commercial market breed for the yearling sale ring and those yearlings that look the part, fill the eye walk and the walk achieve the top dollars. So, first and foremost we breed mares to stallions to give us the athlete. We do seek pedigree advice for our mares and stallions. Beyond the sale ring results, to remain competitive in the commercial market we must produce thoroughbreds that are successful on the track. So whilst physical types are important we look towards what the pedigree match-ups may result in the elite racehorse.
Q: When you buy stallions for your stud, what are the factors you consider?
A: The Australian market is geared for speed, in particular, 2YO speed. So when choosing a stallion we believe a stallion prospect must have shown precocity. This, however, is easier said than done as there are a number of stud farms throughout Australia all willing to pay top dollar to secure the next stallion so competition is very strong. All the stallions on our roster are either a Champion themselves or by a Champion sire. Broodmare owners need to have familiarity with a sireline, hence our stallions are by Written Tycoon, Invincible Spirit, Deep Impact and our new addition for 2019, Foxwedge is by Fastnet Rock.
Q: Please tell us a bit more about your background and how you got involved in racing?
A: Educated in Melbourne, I was a regular at Caulfield race meetings with my Dad who had small interests in horses. Finishing school, I got a part-time job at the Caulfield stables of Jim Mason while I was at university. I was very fortunate with the opportunities I was presented with during this time. Finishing a post-graduate degree, Inglis (auctioneer company) awarded me a 12-month internship program. Relocating to Sydney, I gained a full-time position following the internship with the firm where I lived and worked for nine years. A position became available in the firm’s Melbourne office in 2016. Then in early 2018, Woodside Park Stud’s Mark Rowsthorn approached me about potential possibilities to join the growing organisation. An opportunity to expand my knowledge of the industry and to be part of Victoria’s leading stud was too good to pass by.
Q: And finally, what book are you currently reading?
A: The only books I have read in the last 10 years do not have page numbers. They have a lot of numbers!! When I have spare time away from the thoroughbred industry it tends to be spent watching sport or spending time with my partner and two dogs.
Published in The Impact 5 Issue, 2 Vol
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