James Mitchell
TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
James Mitchell: I was born in Sydney, raised in Kensington around the corner from Dad’s (Bill) Randwick stables before moving to Melbourne at age 13. My earliest racing memories involve being at the races whenever I could, one particular day when I was 8-years-old, Kenwood Melody (Royal Academy {USA}) won the 1998 Listed Ming Dynasty and I’d been allowed to have a small bet on him. I think I won $50, I’d never seen so much money before.
Bill and James Mitchell
TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?
JM: Dignity Dancer (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}), he was a freak who won the 1998 G1 Spring Champion S. by about 6l in track-record time before winning the first Melbourne Triple Crown series culminating in the G1 Australian Guineas. I believe he would have won anything he ran in at four but hurt himself at the start of the season and was never the same.
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite day on a racecourse? Why?
JM: VRC Derby Day. It’s the best of everything about racing: the best horses, big crowds, an unbelievable atmosphere. Bloody good fun.
I went to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup last year, the most beautiful backdrop for a racecourse I’ve seen with the sun setting over the mountains behind.
TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us how you got into this industry, about your job now and what you love most about it?
JM: I was always around the stables as a kid and used to love going to trackwork and the races. I now run a bloodstock business in partnership with Bill. I love being at the sales inspecting horses and trying to find the next good one, the thrill of an auction gets me going and even more so when you land the horse you’ve liked most. Whether it's weanlings, yearlings or mares, I love it all.
James during his time working for Inglis
TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe to be a value sire for the upcoming breeding season? Why?
JM: Tough one! We’ve lost so many good proven stallions in recent years and we’re still waiting to find their replacements. Probably So You Think (NZ), but get in line.
TDN AusNZ: Is there a stallion that you consider to be under the radar?, and why?
JM: Shamus Award would be under the radar, he’s earning his respect now and should go on with it.
TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?
JM: I Am Invincible .
TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire (other than your own) do you believe is most exciting?
JM: They’re a very exciting bunch, there’s a bit of everything: Aussie 2 and 3-year-old speed through to Group 1 milers and international champions. It's hard to knock Microphone.
Microphone | Standing at Darley
TDN AusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?
JM: The filly by Spirit Of Boom out of Show Bender from the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, a very sharp looking filly from a fast I Am Invincible mare. Look out for her back there in January!
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (Person not horse).
JM: I’ve been very impressed with how Matt Vella has handled himself and how well turned out our three Inglis Ready2Race horses are. He’s a great communicator and has a keen eye for detail. Watch out for him in the future and for his draft next Friday at Warwick Farm breeze-ups.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
JM: Nationalisation of the racing bodies. It all seems very disjointed and that seems to lead to poor decision making in an untimely fashion.
TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?
JM: Not too sure, open a restaurant maybe (post COVID-19).
Bill and James Mitchell, Tony McEvoy and John McDonald
