Marie Yoshida is the co-owner of historic Winchester Farms in Kentucky. A second generation breeder is as passionate about her job as she is talented. In this interview, Marie Yoshida tells us why she prefers riverside stables, what she looks for in a horse when buying, her first champion and much more.
Q: What do you think of this year’s Easter Yearling Sale offering?
A: I believe that this year's catalogue is the most select yearling catalogue in Australia with 450 top yearlings selling on April 9 & 10, 2019
Q: How often do you attend the Easter Yearling Sales?
A: I attend W. Inglis Easter Yearling sale every year. It is “THE” reference yearling sale in the Southern Hemisphere that every serious buyer must attend. I moved to Hong Kong in 1996 and I attended W. Inglis Easter Yearling sale in April 1997 where I was lucky to purchase the Hong Kong Champion FAIRY KING PRAWN. I have been hooked since then!
Q: Are there any specific sires, whose progeny get first preference?
A: The top Australian stallions are well represented with yearlings by I Am Invincible, Fastnet Rock, Medaglia d'Oro, More Than Ready, Redoute's Choice and Snitzel having my preference. I also inspect the progeny from the top Japanese stallions Deep Impact and Lord Kanaola.
Q: What do you like best about buying at the Riverside Stables?
A: I love the large beautiful space at the Riverside Stables. Everything has been planned and designed to give ample room for the buyers to inspect each yearling and have the yearlings walk on different surfaces.
Q: What is your process when buying horses?
A: Pedigree is very important but physical inspection is the No 1 criteria. Nothing can replace inspecting carefully each yearling, assessing the body type, the confirmation, the temperament, the balance and the fluidity of the walk.
Q: Who was your idol when starting out in the industry?
A: From a young age I attended Thoroughbred auctions in Deauville, France and loved it. But I found my true idol when I moved to Australia in 1991 and worked at Turangga Stud in the Hunter Valley (NSW) with Dr. Phil Redman, DVM, a true horseman and an exceptional veterinarian.
Q: Tell us about your first winner.
A: I do remember very well my parents' homebred Thoroughbred "Prince Flamand" (Flemish Prince) who was very popular with the French punters, winning many famous handicap races broadcasted "Live" on French television.
Q: What do you like best about buying at the Riverside Stables?
A: I like the design of the sale complex, the beautiful practical stables and the large alleys which allow plenty of room for the prospective buyers to inspect horses.
Q: How important are the black type and race record in your evaluation of a yearling prospect?
A: In my opinion, successful female families should always be at the base of the selection. There is no shortcut and very few surprises. Black type and race record allow selection for breeding purpose.
Q: What stallions do you like as broodmare sires?
A: Many leading sires become top broodmare sires. My favourite broodmare sires are Danehill and his sons. Danehill changed Australian racing and breeding scene, injecting speed and a tremendous turn of foot into the Australian Thoroughbred industry.
Q: You've had incredibly talented horses pass through your hands/ through your company’s books. What characteristics do you think the good ones have in common?
A: Speed and Soundness are my priorities
Q: Do you study pedigrees?
A: Yes I do and it is a passion of mine, especially the exceptional female families. I have a lot of respect for breeders like H.H. The Aga Khan who develop extraordinary female lines for generations.
Q: In terms of sire power, do you lean toward what is more commercially popular? Or do you run more strictly along the lines of how you think the pedigrees will best complement each other? Or is it a more of a balance?
A: I mostly purchase yearlings to race in Hong Kong. It is a very specific market with priorities given to sire lines who can adapt to Hong Kong racing and its characteristics: very firm surface and intense competition.
Q: Any first crop sires you are keeping an eye out for?
A: I have an interest in inspecting the Rubick yearlings. Rubick was a very good 2yo and a top sprinter with also an excellent pedigree being by Encosta de Lago out of a 3/4 sister to Redoute's Choice.
Q: Do you find the market has changed over the years with more emphasis being placed on the top end where you could possibly find a Group winner?
A: Horse racing is in full boom in Australia and it has become extremely competitive at all levels of the selection. Racing partnerships and syndicates have brought more financial influx but it is still possible to find Group winners under the median price of A$250,000.
Published In Easter Yearling Sales Supplement 2019
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