A quickfire round with New Zealand Bloodstock's Sales Manager Danny Rolston
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2020?
Danny Rolston: I would have to say the Karaka Million race meeting at Ellerslie back in January. The Auckland Racing Club do an amazing job hosting what is the launching pad for Karaka Sales week, showcasing all that’s great about racing and breeding in New Zealand.
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
DR: The Leadfoot Festival of Speed in the Coromandel (you will need to Google that one)…
TDN AusNZ: What is the best thing about Karaka in January? Do you have a restaurant to recommend?
DR: The Karaka Million twilight meeting at Ellerslie. Oyster and Chop in the Auckland Viaduct.
Danny Rolston
TDN AusNZ: Whose progeny have impressed you so far on your Karaka inspections?
DR: I’ve just returned from the South Island and War Decree (War Front) is leaving an impressive type, he is well credentialled and will sell well.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
DR: Recently I saw a post on James Bester’s social media account of him on the beach sporting a mankini. I would love to have that self confidence and physique, oh and his eye for a horse isn’t too bad either. Being James for the day at the Gold Coast would be pretty cool.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of the decade? Domestic and international.
DR: Well Winx can count as international for us here. Locally, I’d have to say Ocean Park towards the beginning of the decade.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
DR: This year I’ve enjoyed watching Avantage, a previous winner of the Karaka Million 2YO she won G1s at 1200, 1600 and 2000 metres. A phenomenal training feat by Jamie Richards to achieve that all in the same season with her and a mare that’s probably been overshadowed in the stable by Melody Belle, Te Akau Shark and Probabeel.
TDN AusNZ: What do you consider the greatest sporting moment this decade? (not solely racing related).
DR: Chris Waller’s handling of Winx is nothing short of remarkable. To have that mare 110 per cent every time she lined up, to continually travel her, to make her and himself accessible to the media and public at all times then retire totally sound is an example of everything that is great and right about our industry. And that extends to all her owners and Chris’ staff too. They deserve the ride the great mare gave them.
TDN AusNZ: Who is the most under-rated stallion in Australasia?
DR: Hands down Darci Brahma.
Darci Brahma (NZ) | Standing at The Oaks Stud
TDN AusNZ: What is your New Year's resolution for 2021? Can you remember your 2020 resolution?
DR: Geez, I stay away from those sorts of things.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2021?
DR: We are in a significant transition period in the industry in New Zealand at the moment. Between amendments to the Racing Act, changes to betting levy’s and racing clubs amalgamating. I’m looking forward to all of these initiatives progressing towards better racing facilities and higher prizemoney domestically.
It’s an exciting period to be looking forward to and if recent turnover and on-course attendance is anything to go by, the racing, breeding and sales going forward will be producing better returns than we have seen before in New Zealand.
