Steve O’Connor - Go Bloodstock

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

SO: I am from Killkenny in the South East of Ireland, but I grew up in England.

My earliest memory is watching a horse named Over The Road (Ire) (Over The River {Fr}) run 4th in the Grand National. He was a horse my dad was associated with.

TDN AusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do, and what you love most about your job?

SO: I work for Sir Owen Glenn managing Go Bloodstock and our pre-training facility at Hawkesbury - Glenn Haven Racing.

We have interests in over 160 horses and over 50 horses are stabled at Glenn Haven at any one time.

I love working with good horses along with learning from Sir Owen and our strong team at Glenn Haven led by Matt Vella.

TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?

SO: Rock Of Gibraltar (Ire) (Danehill {USA})!

Freaskish acceleration... also I am a Manchester United fan, and he ran in Sir Alex's colours.

TDN AusNZ: Which racehorse, ever, do you think was the best type?

SO: Hard to fault Frankel (GB).

Tiznow (USA) (Cee's Tizzy {USA}) is also a beast of a horse!

TDN AusNZ: Was there a first season sire that jumped out at you at the sales this year?

SO: I thought the Vancouvers had a lot to like about them, and he is also a high class horse.

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

SO: Advised by Paul and Catherine Moroney - the Sebring x Miss Foxwood yearling filly, has done super, she is with Chris Waller.

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

SO: Exceed And Excel is on fire, but he usually flies under the radar. I think Menari was also a horse with freakish ability and with his fertility sorted, he could be an exciting stallion.

TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?

SO: I have always loved Oasis Dream (GB), and Sebring in Australia.

TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (person not horse).

SO: Emma Reeves at Gai Waterhouse / Adrian Bott Racing. She puts in massive hours to meticulously plan the racing schedule for Gai and Adrian and it shows in their recent results.

She is currently plotting a Golden Slipper assault for us.

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

SO: Wouldn't Libertini (I Am Invincible) make it exciting!

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

SO: I would like our industry to continue to create a positive public impression through aftercare, welfare programs, etc.

What has happened in California is a stark reminder that public opinion can change no matter how popular a sport may currently be.

TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?

SO: I like numbers and the idea of trading stocks and currency.