The Matamata-based horseman has accepted an invitation to join the Cape Thoroughbred Sales (CTS) team in September to inspect and select yearlings.
“They approached me and asked if I’d be an independent assessor of their yearlings, which is a natural progression of what I did when I was with New Zealand Bloodstock,” Wylie said.
“My speciality is breeding and conformation and I’m keen to take the opportunity. We’ll be going to the farms and looking at the yearlings and passing on the assessments to the sales company.
Bloodstock agent, Ric Wylie
“I have built up a few friendships including Jehan Malherbe, from Form Bloodstock, and Mike de Kock, through competition at auctions around the world.
“Through them, Adrian Todd, who is one of the movers and shakers of the South African industry and used to run Cape Thoroughbred Sales, first mooted it to me a couple of years ago.
“I have built up a few friendships including Jehan Malherbe, from Form Bloodstock, and Mike de Kock, through competition at auctions around the world.” – Ric Wylie.
“He said he’d like to get me involved, but last year it didn’t really suit, but this year it’s come to fruition and it suits my schedule.
“I’m flying there the Saturday after the Baden-Baden Sale in Germany to hit Johannesburg and Cape Town to start on the Monday for the first two weeks of September.”
Gallery: Ric Wylie will be flying to South Africa after the Baden-Baden Sale in Germany
Wylie has been involved in the thoroughbred business for more than four decades and consults to a wide group of owners and breeders around the world.
They include the Hong Kong Jockey Club, Valachi Downs’ Kevin Hickman and Alan Osburg, the original owner of Group 1 winner and producer Exceed And Excel.
“I also manage several portfolios of horses here in New Zealand that are nurtured through to racing careers in Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong as well as in New Zealand,” Wylie said.
Wylie has a lengthy and varied thoroughbred background.
“I have over 40 years in the industry working with such great trainers as John Hawkes in Australia and Ivan Allan in Singapore and Hong Kong,” he said.
“I have over 40 years in the industry working with such great trainers as John Hawkes in Australia and Ivan Allan in Singapore and Hong Kong.” – Ric Wylie.
“These platforms and individuals like Trevor Lobb, and the late Keith Gudsell, have given me a plethora of experience from some of the best yearling judges in the world. Also, I am continually competing against great judges like Mike de Kock and Angus Gold, which gives me confidence that I have learned my lessons well.
“Pedigrees have always fascinated me and developed further through my friendship with Leslie Harrison, when managing the Australian horses for his boss, Lord Howard de Walden of Slip Anchor, Diesis and Kris fame.”
Major triumphs for Wylie have included involvement in securing multiple Group 1 winner Pakistan Star (Ger) (Shamardal {USA}) on behalf of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, former Australian Horse of the Year Octagonal (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) for Hawkes and Hong Kong Derby winner Holy Grail (NZ) (Deputy Governor {USA}) for Allan.
One of Wylie's major career triumphs has been securing Octagonal for Hawkes Racing
“Yearling selection can be a varied science as the different training regimes and facilities influence one’s final decisions,” Wylie said.
“Yearling selection can be a varied science as the different training regimes and facilities influence one’s final decisions.” - Ric Wylie.
“Types and pedigrees differ around the world, what suits Newmarket or Chantilly may not be suitable on Singapore or Hong Kong training tracks, so understanding the requirements of the future experiences that the horse will encounter are paramount to my choices.
“My specialty is conformation and assessing what a horse may develop into. Foals can change dramatically from May to March in their growth and a successful sale depends on a satisfied buying bench.”
Multiple Group 1 winner and leading sire Tavistock (NZ) (Montjeu {Ire}) was also bred and sold by Bloomsbury Stud when the Matamata farm was managed by Wylie.
