Five minutes with... Jason Abrahams

Jason Abrahams - Champion Thoroughbreds

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

Jason Abrahams: I'm from Sydney, my first racing memory is going to the Rosehill races and enjoying the pies!

My first real experience in the industry came when I was 15-years-old. Dad called and said that because my grades at school were good, I was allowed to attend the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale with him and buy a horse. We purchased a colt by Grosvenor (NZ) for $55,000, who raced as Sedgewyn (NZ) and would go on to run second to Bold Promise (Luskin Star) in the Magic Millions 2YO race, trained by Ray Guy - it was the first year fillies were allowed to run in the race, and we were beaten by a filly! She had won the fillies version of the race the week before.

Which is your favourite racehorse of all time?

JA: I raced a very talented Zabeel (NZ) mare called Jessicabeel (NZ), who won the Sydney Cup in 2010. She was very dramatic to watch, given her tendency to miss the start then absolutely fly home. I think the whole crowd in attendance at Randwick backed her when she won the Sydney Cup. She missed the start by 2l and you could hear everyone groan, but she had done the same the week before in the G2 Chairman's S. The roar of the crowd when she came home to win was enormous.

TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite day on a racecourse? Why?

JA: I have always enjoyed going to overseas race meetings. The Breeders' Cup at Del Mar was a brilliant weekend, they really know how to put on a show! The Taste of the World party featuring Jewel was particularly enjoyable.

TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe to be a value sire for the upcoming breeding season? Why?

JA: I'm a fan of So You think (NZ) at the service fee. He consistently leaves winners, stakes winners and has the scope to sire top Group 1 horses too. He's a very good stallion.

TDN AusNZ: Is there a stallion that you consider to be under the radar?, and why?

JA: Ocean Park (NZ) is a stallion who is really hitting his straps - he's currently got one of the smartest sprinters in Australia with Tofane (NZ) and one of the better stayers in Oceanex (NZ), plus the top miler Kolding (NZ). It's not easy to be that versatile. We've got two handy 3-year-olds racing for Champion Thoroughbreds at the moment by him, Opacity (NZ) who is four wins from six starts and Southern Lad who has won five races.

The Ocean Park's are so sound. Southern Lad and Opacity wouldn't know what the vet looks like - they are both tough horses.

In terms of young stallions, I think Press Statement is one to watch.

TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire do you believe is most exciting?

JA: I'll be sending a mare to Magna Grecia (Ire) at Coolmore this season. He was a very good racehorse and is by the right sireline Invincible Spirit (Ire), from a Galileo (Ire) mare.

From what I've heard, he is a superbly good looking horse - I've called some breeder friends in Ireland and they relayed that he's a stunning type.

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

JA: Tom Charlton who works for John O'Shea is a capable young guy. He has a real knack for understanding what each segment of the market is looking for - he understands what John, a trainer wants from his staff, what I, as a syndicator want, what the owners want from the stable. He bridges the gap well between the different parts of the business.

TDN AusNZ: Who is the best looking stallion you've ever seen?

JA: Historically, Royal Academy (Ire) was a stunning individual who always sticks in my memory as a great type.

In more recent times I always loved seeing Medaglia D'Oro (USA). He is a stallion with a lot of presence. While his progeny can be a bit hit and miss in terms of type, he is very imposing physical himself.

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

JA: I have a financial planning company which is my main day job, although Champion provides a very welcome distraction!