Welcome to TDN AusNZ’s ‘It Takes A Team’. Here we highlight and celebrate some of the heroes of our industry. The strappers, riders, stud-workers and people behind the scenes of our champions. The people who are up late into the night foaling or up at the crack of dawn for trackwork, working tirelessly to keep the industry running.
Today, we kick off the series again with a well-travelled veterinarian who started her career in Newmarket before settling in Australia. Dr Katie Wilcox is a director of the Avenel Equine Centre and has a special interest in equine reproduction.
Dr Katie Wilcox - Equine Veterinarian
TDN AusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about yourself, how did you get started in the industry?
Katie Wilcox: Having grown up in London UK, life has taken me on a very different route to the rest of my family!
When I was 7-years-old my grandparents moved to West Sussex and their neighbours happened to have a riding school. I quickly developed a love for all things equine and never missed an opportunity to ride or help out around the yard. This, and my love of science at school, evolved into an ambition to become a veterinarian.
When I left school my first equine job was working for Arabian trainer and ex jump jockey Bill Smith. This was my first exposure to the racing world, and I couldn’t believe I was getting paid to do something I loved! I continued to ride trackwork when I was at University and it seemed only natural to head to Newmarket when I graduated.
Dr Katie Wilcox
Newmarket lives and breathes thoroughbreds and is an amazing place to live for a young person with a passion for horses. There was exposure to a lot of renowned veterinarians and although it was hard work, the caseload and experience I was able to gain during my internship was huge. It also gave me great contacts and through these I was able to secure my first stud season working for Scone Equine Hospital in Australia.
On arrival in Scone, Dr Cameron Collins took me under his wing and has become a huge influence on my career ever since. I thrived working on the thoroughbred studs enjoying the Aussie banter at the crush, the team effort involved in dealing with periparturient emergencies and the satisfaction felt by getting a difficult mare in foal or nursing a sick neonate back to health. A five month season in Australia turned into 11 years, which has finally seen me settle in Victoria.
TDN AusNZ: How many breeding seasons have you worked as a vet for?
KW: I would be going into my 14th breeding season this year except I am expecting myself for the first time… I am due in August so will likely be one of the first to foal!
TDN AusNZ: What has been your biggest career highlight to date?
KW: I became a director of Avenel Equine Hospital (part of the Scone Equine group) in 2017 and that has brought with it a whole new set of challenges in running a business in addition to clinical vet work. I am very proud of the reputation we have achieved, the standard of service we are able to provide with a small team of people and the fact that we have seen significant business growth in a relatively short time.
Dr Katie became a director for the Avenel Equine Hospital in 2017, a role she classes as her biggest career highlight to date
TDN AusNZ: What is your favourite part of the breeding season?
KW: I love the anticipation and excitement that comes with a new season. The first foals to drop on the ground and the hype around the first-season sires. It’s nice to get back in the routine of daily visits to the farms and the feeling of being part of the stud team again.
TDN AusNZ: What is the toughest aspect of your job?
KW: I’ve found the hours we work during the season have become harder to deal with over the years. The losses and the accountability I feel when things don’t turn out the way I would have liked are even harder to stomach when you are already exhausted, and you have known the clients and the horses for years - sometimes it can really be heartbreaking.
TDN AusNZ: How do you like to spend your time during the off-season?
KW: When I wasn’t working dual seasons, I used to fill the year with lots of travel, hiking, horseriding, skiing and some charity work. However, since I met my partner Daniel Nevill, of Hollylodge Thoroughbreds I have had to rein that back somewhat as I’ve realised there is very little off-season for the stud owner - it’s now either the breeding season or the sales season which has been extended this year thanks to COVID-19!
Dr Katie with her partner Daniel Nevill of Hollylodge Thoroughbreds visiting Dalham Hall in Newmarket and the great Dubawi (Ire)
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite horse you’ve been able to work with?
KW: There are so many, but a particular favourite of mine was the stallion Danewin who stood at Emirates Park. He had a problem with one of his hindlegs when I was resident vet there in 2011 and was an absolute gentleman to treat and do anything with. I developed such a soft spot for him I used to go up to the barn and take him out for a pick of grass in the afternoon.
Another very special horse that I recently lost to colic was a nanny/foster mare that I have got to know over the last few years. She was one in a million and actually reared three foals last season (including her own). I was really upset when we lost her and it still makes me sad thinking about it.
TDN AusNZ: Do you find there is a lot of pressure in working with elite bloodstock?
KW: I have been lucky enough to be have worked with some very famous and valuable stock over the years, but you have to keep a level head in this game especially when you have a panicking manager on your hands! I treat every horse the same no matter who they are or who their parents were - they are all horses at the end of the day, and they all deserve the same level of care.
Dr Katie with Hartnell (GB)
TDN AusNZ: Do you have any mentors you would say have really helped you along the way in your career?
KW: As I mentioned earlier Cameron Collins has been an important mentor for me, both in terms of his veterinary prowess but also with his assistance with management of the business here in Avenel. David Railton (Scone & Avenel Equine Hospital), Zara Wise (Newmarket Equine Hospital) and David Searle (Southern Highlands Equine Centre) have all been and continue to share their knowledge and experience with me and have shaped the vet that I am today.
I have also learnt a great deal from the managers and stud owners that I have been fortunate enough to work with. Nick Posa (Lincoln Farm) and Jenny Stern (Timor Creek) who gave me such great opportunities and taught me so much when I was still relatively green in my first few years in Scone. I also have great admiration for Scott Holcombe (Milburn Creek) who is a fantastic manager and opened my eyes to a whole new standard in sales preparation.
I also feel incredibly lucky to work regularly with Tas Rielley (Basinghall), James Manning (Godolphin) and my own partner Daniel Nevill (Hollylodge). I feel that the professional relationships that we have developed allow us to support and complement each other and get the best outcome for the horses and clients in our joint care.
TDN AusNZ: Do you have any words of wisdom for anyone thinking about a career as an equine vet?
KW: It’s not an easy road and you will have to make some personal sacrifices en route, but if it’s what you are passionate about and you are prepared to put in the hard graft then you will have a very rewarding career.
Work with people that inspire you, travel and take every opportunity that presents itself.
Respect and be friendly to everyone you meet from those at the top of the tree to those at the bottom -you never know if/when you r branch will break!
