Cover image courtesy of Bevan Smith Bloodstock
The Cambridge-based Smith was off the mark when his tried horse purchase Off Shaw (NZ) (Tobique) won at Kembla Grange for trainer Bjorn Baker, but had to savour the moment on his lonesome on the Gold Coast.
The Bevan Smith Bloodstock principal ends his two-week period of self-isolation on Tuesday and will be active at next week’s Magic Millions sale series, with confidence high following Off Shaw’s victory at the weekend.
“It’s only been 12 months since I got going so it’s good to get the first one on the board, and hopefully it’s the first one of many,” Smith said. “I bought him in December of last year, and Bill Thurlow had him and had won two from four.
“I was chatting to Gordon Calder one day and he’s close with Bill and said he was keen to sell. I looked the horse up and he’d only won the day before so he looked a good prospect. He was by a bit of an unknown stallion and that might have stopped a few people looking at him.”
“He was by a bit of an unknown stallion and that might have stopped a few people looking at him.” – Bevan Smith
A son of Redoute’s Choice, Tobique won three races and was stakes-placed before he retired to Grangewilliam Stud. He subsequently relocated to Clearview Park Stud where he died following a paddock accident.
“Off Shaw showed the ability so I managed to secure him. He had his first start in Australia in January and went a very good race and we thought next time he would be winning, but he had an issue with his eye and he had to be turned out.”
Smith was acting on a brief from Baker to keep a look-out for any likely types in New Zealand and the 4-year-old fitted the bill.
“Bjorn had said to me to always keep an eye out for anything that could be a good money-spinner. I’m good mates with Stephen McLean, who is Bjorn’s racing manager, so I’ve built a relationship there,” he said.
Smith is now looking forward to the Gold Coast sales and has had plenty of time to research the catalogue.
“I think I know the sales history for all the horses back to the fifth dam. I’m at the end of the two-week isolation and it’s been a tough period, but it will be worth it and I’m looking forward to getting out there and buying a few horses,” he said.
“I think I know the sales history for all the horses back to the fifth dam.” – Bevan Smith
“The sale going back a week has been a blessing for me and I can get around to look at them. Weanlings will be the big focus for me with the yearlings, maybe one or two mares and then the racehorse section, which I’ll definitely be trying to buy something there.
“Just before everything shut down in March I bought a horse called Wagner out of the Magic Millions Racehorse Sale. He’s had a couple of starts and went a good race last time and should be hard to beat when he runs next. "
Wagner (blue silks)
Smith is from a racing family and his father Chris formerly managed Yamazaki Bokujo, a private thoroughbred operation in Hokkaido, before returning home to train with one of his best performers, the Karaka Million runner-up Maureen Dorothy (NZ) (Spartacus {Ire}).
Bevan Smith completed a yearling preparation at Waikato Stud after leaving school and then went to Massey University to study a Bachelor of Business with a double major in Marketing and Sport Management.
Stud experience
He subsequently moved over to Australia, gaining experience with stints at Eliza Park Stud, Woodside Park Stud and as the yearling manager at Musk Creek Farm.
Back in New Zealand, he took a position at New Zealand Bloodstock as Marketing Assistant and then managed Gavelhouse. The Sunline Management Scholarship then took him to Cheveley Park Stud in the England, Coolmore in Ireland and Taylor Made Sales in Kentucky.
In 2016, he took a position with successful bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster and the springboard to opening his own agency.
Smith (left) with Bjorn Baker | Image courtesy of Bevan Smith Bloodstock
“I’ve been going 12 months and bought a couple of weanlings and a few mares. I carried on and bought a few 2-year-olds, most of them were for Singapore, but they haven’t had a chance to get up there because of the coronavirus,” Smith said.
“I’m pretty pleased that from two runners, one has won and Wagner looks like he’s knocking on the door. I’ve got a lot of exciting young horses coming through.
“It’s great to have had so much support. I’ve got to build my own reputation and thankful for the support so far from people like Michael Clements and Ben Kwok and everyone else who has come on board.
“It’s really heartening to get that sort of support and they’re willing to give me a crack.”
