Written By Jackson Frantz
Cover image courtesy of The Irish National Stud
It’s safe to say the future of Waikato Stud is in the right hands, with Mark Chittick’s eldest son, George, set to broaden his horizons via the upcoming Irish National Stud Thoroughbred Breeding Management program.
The 19-year-old has always had a passion for horses, however, a decision to experience life outside of the ‘racing bubble’ following the completion of his secondary studies proved the catalyst for his venture into the family business.
“Being a Chittick and an O’Sullivan I was born into racing and while there wasn’t much escaping, I’ve always had a love for the animal and the people involved in the industry,” George Chittick told TDN AusNZ.
“Being a Chittick and an O’Sullivan I was born into racing and while there wasn’t much escaping, I’ve always had a love for the animal and the people involved in the industry.” - George Chittick
“The reason why I tried university was to get away from it all for a bit and see if there was any other options, but after a few months away I realised how much I actually love the practical side of working with horses.”
Chittick returned home earlier this year and has spent the breeding season working with the farm’s dry mares, an experience that he is loving ‘every minute of'.
A desire to learn new skills and understand how the industry operates in the Northern Hemisphere led Chittick to apply for New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association's Keith and Faith Taylor Equine Scholarship.
George Chittick | Image courtesy of Waikato Stud
He said it was a great feeling to be selected to represent the NZTBA and his family in Ireland, and that he is grateful for the opportunities before him.
“I want to learn as much as I can from new people and to experience the Northern Hemisphere horse industry so I can bring back new tricks and skills that have not yet been implemented at Waikato,” he said.
“While I am excited by the practical side I am really looking forward to the theory and having a deeper understanding of the topics that we are learning about.”
“While I am excited by the practical side I am really looking forward to the theory.” - George Chittick
Chittick is motivated to grasp all aspects of the breeding industry, saying that his long-term goal is to run Waikato and to ensure that the famous thoroughbred nursery remains in the family for a third consecutive generation.
“I’ve copped a bit of flack over the last week or so about saying I want to run Waikato, but my dream and goal is still to one day run the farm,” Chittick said.
Quinn eager to excel
Tom Quinn is one of three Australians who will join the New Zealand-based Chittick abroad in 2022.
Employed by Newgate Farm since April, the 22-year-old already boasts an impressive resume, having completed yearling preparations with Balmoral Stud and Widden Stud before becoming Peter and Paul Snowden’s travelling foreman.
Tom Quinn | Image courtesy of Inglis
A self-described ‘hands-on horseman’, Quinn is eager to expand his reproductive knowledge, saying it is an aspect of the breeding industry that he is yet to dive deeper into.
He has worked closely with Stud Manager Jim Carey since joining Newgate in April and said Carey was a key influence behind his decision to apply for the Irish National Stud course.
“I was working with the stallions and didn’t really know what I wanted to do after this season and Jim (Carey) advised me that it would be a really good idea to apply for the course,” Quinn told TDN AusNZ. “So, I’m quite looking forward to getting over and seeing how it’s done over there because I’ve been told it’s very different to how we do it here.
“I was working with the (Newgate) stallions and didn’t really know what I wanted to do after this season and Jim (Carey) advised me that it would be a really good idea to apply for the course.” - Tom Quinn
“I’m very keen to get stuck into a lot of the lectures because I’ve never really done the operational sides of things.
“I also haven’t done a lot of foaling down and foal handling, so I’m really keen to watch that and to learn what’s right and wrong and how it should be done.”
Quinn has thoroughly enjoyed his tenure at Newgate to date and is excited to be involved with the burgeoning Hunter-based stallion operation.
“I met Henry (Field) when I was at the Snowdens and that was when I started looking into Newgate, there’s a lot of good people that work here and it’s a great operation to be involved with and I’m very excited for the future,” Quinn said.
"There’s a lot of good people that work here (Newgate) and it’s a great operation to be involved with and I’m very excited for the future.” - Tom Quinn
“It’s hard to say the role I will have when I return but my skills will be more developed, and while I hope to take up a higher position down the track, firstly I want to learn as much as I possibly can while I’m over in Ireland.”
Jessica Bailey, recipient of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders' Association’s scholarship and Tess O’Connor, recipient of the Thoroughbred Breeders' Australia scholarship are the two other Australasian-based individuals who will begin their residential training at the Co. Kildare Stud Farm in January 2022.
Jessica Bailey, recipient of the Hunter Thoroughbred Breeders' Association’s scholarship | Image courtesy of HTBA
Bailey has been a member of the Hunter stud community since 2014 and is currently employed by Yarraman Park while O’Connor has recently completed the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia’s Fast Track program, which saw her obtain valuable experience at Godolphin’s Woodlands Stud.
