Andrew Williams Bloodstock
TDNAusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
AW: I am a proud New Zealander. My parents are close family friends with the Moroneys and O’Sullivans, so I remember spending countless hours after primary school during feed up time at either the Wexford or Ballymore Stables. Being around those massive stables gave me the horse recognition and enthusiasm to follow them on race days.
That, plus having babysitters on Friday nights like Lance O’Sullivan & Michael Coleman gave me plenty to cheer on and ultimately catch the “racing bug”!
Andrew Williams (right)
TDNAusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do, and what you love most about your job?
AW: My bloodstock company Andrew Williams Bloodstock has been in existence for two years now.
I am very grateful to be contracted to the historical Lindsay Park Racing Stable, assisting their team during the yearling sales season and busy racing carnivals.
I also have a fantastic group of clients that I assist in managing their respective breeding and racing portfolios. I love the fact that those clients and contacts have turned into close friends and it makes the good results so much more enjoyable.
TDNAusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?
AW: Verry Elleegant as she is my first Group 1 winner and is a very special horse for the future.
Verry Elleegant was Andrew's first Group 1 winner
TDNAusNZ: Which racehorse, ever, do you think was the best type?
AW: Seeing Sea The Stars (Ire) under saddle in the flesh was something else.
TDNAusNZ: Was there a first season sire that jumped out at you at the sales this year?
AW: Rich Enuff really stood out to me with the types he threw. They were consistently very well conformed and physically impressive.
Andrew (centre) finding the next Group 1 winner
TDNAusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?
AW: Would have to be a two-year-old filly called Subpoena (to be called Subpoenaed in Australia). She was purchased privately out of NZ for the Verry Elleegant team and scheduled to run in Sydney over the Spring.
TDNAusNZ: What stallion do you consider to be ‘under the radar’ and why?
AW: Smart Missile is a very reliable source of winners and also capable of throwing a top horse like Smart Melody. He's very well priced in a competitive stallion market.
Andrew believes Twin Hills Smart Missile is an 'under the radar' stallion
TDNAusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?
AW: Redoute's Choice 100%, it was a privilege to "sell" (not much selling needed) nominations to the legend during my years at Arrowfield.
Honourable mention on type - I’ll never forget seeing Siyouni (Fr) at Haras de Bonneval in 2015. A classy animal.
TDNAusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (person not horse).
AW: Vicky Leonard, Bruce Slade & Old McDonald (James). Scary to think what they could achieve by the time they get to 50.
TDNAusNZ: If you were an Everest slotholder, who would you pick?
AW: Brutal, hands down.
Brutal would be Andrew's Everest pick
TDNAusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
AW: Continued push for educational platforms within the industry. Promotion of thoroughbred rehabilitation stories and advancement of industry marketing initiatives. Higher distribution of prize money to maiden purses, thus generating ROI to owners across the base and supporting the Australasian-bred horse.
TDNAusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?
AW: I would happily be in the wine industry, no doubt in sales. Hopefully with ownership in a vineyard in Central Otago.
