Five minutes with... Dan Fletcher

Dan Fletcher - Telemon Stud

TDNAusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?

DF: A small town called Blackall in Western Queensland. My earliest racing memory is sitting on the floor of our classroom in Primary School to watch the Melbourne Cup. I’d drawn Kingston Town in the sweep. Fair to say the 11 year old me didn’t think much of “Miracle Mal’s” ride.

TDNAusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do, the farm, recent results and exciting stallions at Telemon?

DF: I’m a Financial Planner by profession and rely on a dedicated team lead by Joe Heather to operate Telemon. We have a busy season ahead of us standing Champion first season sire Sidestep. He’ll be joined by Jungle Cat (Ire) who is a world class sprinter and a very exciting young horse.

TDNAusNZ: What was the highlight of the season for you?

DF: Sentimentally, we’ve had a dream run campaigning Sunlight (Zoustar) and her performances are priceless memories. Commercially, Kiamichi’s (Sidestep) win in the Golden Slipper was transformational for our business and a great result for our clients who supported Sidestep.

TDNAusNZ: What do you love most about your job?

DF: Whether it’s on the farm or at trackwork, nothing can beat being up and around horses in the crisp morning air with the sun coming up.

TDNAusNZ: What is your favourite day on a racecourse?

DF: We’ve been lucky enough to have had a few. I’ll say the day Sunlight won The Newmarket because I think the purists would agree it’s her greatest win.

TDNAusNZ: Do you have a favourite book and favourite movie?

DF: I’ve always enjoyed reading and I love going to the movies with my girls, so naming a favourite is impossible. The Hobbit might have been one of the first books I read and remains on the favourite list. No Country For Old Men might be one of the better movies.

TDNAusNZ: Do you have a nickname? How did it come about?

DF: Fletch. Self-explanatory.

TDNAusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?

DF: We found Absolute Flirt (Stratum) last year as a yearling and it’s been very satisfying seeing her become a stakes-winning 2-year-old considering she was a Sunday Session pedigree that most overlooked.

TDNAusNZ: What stallion do you consider to be ‘under the radar’ and why?

DF: That’s easy. Sidestep! He’s done an amazing job by every measure and remains exceptional value.

TDNAusNZ: What first season sire (other than your own) are you most excited about?

DF: I’ll say Encryption. He’s a very game little horse that I saw first-hand when he ran against Sunlight in the Coolmore. He’s a quality addition to a re-invigorated Queensland breeding industry.

TDNAusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star in the racing industry? (person, not horse)

DF: I’ll go for one of the guys in the engine room - Michael Shepherdson is an unassuming, genuine guy working under an absolutely first class mentor in Tony McEvoy. It’s not hard to picture him going as far as he wants to when he’s ready.

TDNAusNZ: If you were an Everest slotholder, who would you pick?

DF: Sunlight of course!!

TDNAusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?

DF: Animal Welfare has come a long way and we have to keep this in focus and continue to raise our game.

TDNAusNZ: If you weren’t in the thoroughbred industry what would you be doing?

DF: My day job is managing investment portfolios. If I wasn’t in the thoroughbred industry I’d literally have to stick to my day job.