Cover image courtesy of Glentree Thoroughbreds
In the idyllic hills of Coldstream east of Melbourne, Wilson grew up on a farm, thinking about following his father on the land.
But as it turned out, he pursued a business life with the family-owned Reece Group, which started out as a plumbing hardware store and developed into a phenomenal global success.
But the desire to be involved in thoroughbreds burned brightly in Bruce, lit, as is so often the case, by the first horse he ever owned.
"I have always been interested in horses, racing horses mainly, from university days. There was a group of us who got involved with a horse called Franklin Drive, which Colin Hayes had, which won five of six races for us. He was a very fast Irish horse," Wilson told TDN AusNZ.
"He ran second to Special in the 1988 Newmarket. Like everybody else, your first horse seems to be your best horse."
Against his father's advice, Wilson continued to dabble in thoroughbred ownership, but with limited success.
"We had horses that might win at a country meeting but not much further but I was always interested," he said.
"I was brought up on a cattle property and my father would turn in his grave if he thought I was involved with thoroughbreds. He always knew I liked a flutter back then and he always talked me out of being involved with racing. But since I have been involved, it’s a fantastic industry," he said.
Stepping back from his work with Reece Group, Wilson realised he had the time to indulge himself more in his passion for thoroughbreds.
"When I retired full-time, I was looking to do some different things and an opportunity came about for a business partner and I put together a deal on a property and got involved with some mares," he said.
"We hatched a plan to buy a property and we were looking around for something suitable and found one at Modewarre, which is the other side of Geelong. We then set about having a full on farm, with agistments, mares, the whole works. That was in 2003."
A change of tack
After a few years of mixed results, Wilson decided to start again with Glentree Thoroughbreds and rang an old school mate in the late Nick Columb for advice.
"I think I realised that doing everything was a bit too much, especially for a start-up stud. The decision was made about 2009 to concentrate on broodmares. That's what we have done since," he said.
"I was very fortunate that one of my old mates from school days and uni was Nick Columb. And when I wanted to restart things again in 2010, I got on to Nick who said he'd love to help me. He then set about finding some mares for me.
"The initial lot we had, were chosen by Nick and his advice was always if they didn't perform, move them on quickly and replace them until you get a reasonable lot."
"The initial lot (of broodmares) we had, were chosen by Nick and his advice was always if they didn't perform, move them on quickly and replace them until you get a reasonable lot." - Bruce Wilson
Wilson has aimed to follow that advice, while cognisant that it does take some time to determine if a mare might be a success.
But 11 years after starting over with Glentree, he and stud manager Luke Simpson feel like they may have their best crop of yearlings yet.
Back under the Glentree banner
It was off the back of that confidence that having sold through Bhima at Inglis Premier for the past few years, they decided to re-enter the fray as vendors in their own name.
"We identified that this was a good group coming through. We sent two to Magic Millions, there are two which are going through Easter, one in Adelaide and there are the seven we have brought here under Glentree," Wilson said.
"It was only three or four months ago that Luke said, 'Let’s go out under our own name again'. Mike (Fleming) and the guys do a fantastic job, but your horses can get lost if you have some good yearlings coming through.
"I think it will be a good market. We came here thinking we had one standout and just talking to different people it is not the one I thought would be the standout. Luke picked the horse that he thought was the best and it's ended up that one."
Redoute's colt shines through
Simpson doesn't hesitate when asked which of Glentree's draft has been the most popular this week.
"We’ve got a draft of six (seven catalogued and one withdrawn), with four colts and two fillies, all of them by champion or proven stallions. The highlight lot is probably the Redoute's Choice colt out of Ain'tnofallenstar star. This is the last yearling crop of the Redoute's. There are only a handful of them left and it’s an honour to have one in our draft," he said.
"He's been a very busy boy and has covered a few miles out here on the tarmac and is proving to be quite popular."
"He's (Lot 467) been a very busy boy and has covered a few miles out here on the tarmac and is proving to be quite popular." - Luke Simpson
The colt is a half-brother to Listed winner Aintnodeeldun (Dundeel {NZ}) and Hong Kong winner Mighty Valor (Snitzel), who was a $325,000 yearling the last time Glentree consigned for itself in Melbourne in 2018.
Their dam, Ain'tnofallenstar (Starcraft {NZ}), is a multiple stakes-winning daughter of Group-winning mare Aint Seen Nothin' (Nothin' Leica Dane), making her a half-sister to stakes winners Bachman (All American) and Stepitup (Hussonet {USA}).
Lot 299 by Dundeel (NZ) is another colt with a very strong page, being out of Ruby Falls (Flying Spur), the half-sister to G1 Thousand Guineas winner Irish Lights (Fastnet Rock).
"Again, he's been very popular and looks very athletic and is a racy-looking type. He's been busy too," Simpson said.
Also in the draft are colts by Snitzel (Lot 158) out of Madame Lily (More Than Ready {USA}), the daughter of Group 1 winner Bollinger (Dehere {USA}), and Exceed And Excel (Lot 196), from Mooinooi (Lonhro), the half-sister to G1 Caulfield Guineas winner In Top Swing (Beautiful Crown {USA}).
There are also two fillies, Lot 140 by Not A Single Doubt out of Lifesaver Lady (More Than Ready {USA}), and Lot 490, by Sebring out of Listed winner Armed For Action (Exceed And Excel).
"We really pride ourselves on our broodmare band and to bring six horses here to support our own backyard was very important," Simpson said.
"It is important to put our own name out there and the quality we had in our draft, we thought it was important to put them under Glentree Thoroughbreds."
A double hand in the Guineas
Wilson has a bit to consider ahead of the Sale as well with an ownership stake in two horses who are in the G1 Australian Guineas, Ole Kirk (Written Tycoon) and Jet Propulsion (Rubick).
"I've got a small interest in Ole Kirk and Jet Propulsion. We have got quite a few part shares of horses racing. About three years ago, I decided to get back into racing a bit more because that's where the fun is. You pay for that, but it is great fun," he said.
Ole Kirk
"I've gone into quite a few horses with Rupert Legh, who I've known for a long time and also we race some of our own. There are few other groups we go in with as well such as the McClures of Morning Rise Stud, and it’s a lot of fun.
"I was trying to do it on our own and Rupert and a couple of others said 'why are you trying to do it on your own, you should share your experience'. I could share it with my staff and my family, but this allowed me to share it with my mates. He had a good point."
It has further enhanced Wilson's love for thoroughbreds, an industry in which he has made lifelong friends.
"I think it's a fantastic industry. It really is. There's a good lot of people. There might be a few ones that aren't so good as well, but I think in the breeding industry, which is where I am, you couldn't feel any more welcome. Everyone shares their experience to a degree. People are always so open," he said.
