In today's instalment of 2021/2022 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Spendthrift Australia's General Manager, Garry Cuddy.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2021?
Garry Cuddy: I have two - Mac ‘N’ Cheese’s stakes win in the Listed Oaklands Plate and attending my first Melbourne Cup. It was great to be on track with next to no crowd as it made the day low-key and very enjoyable.
TDN AusNZ: And favourite non-racing moment?
GC: Due to COVID, we were not able to see family for four months after Evie was born so it was great to get to NSW earlier in the year to introduce her to her 102-year-old Great Great Nanna, Bub.
TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
GC: I love when the 2-year-old racing hots up in the new year, however I must say that I am most looking forward to getting married the week after Magic Millions finishes.
TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire to stud did you send mares to this season, and why?
GC: Dirty Work, a fast, strong and sexy son of Written Tycoon… mad if you didn’t!
Dirty Work | Standing at Spendthrift Australia
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day. Who would it be, and why?
GC: I would break my day into thirds. I would start at Arrowfield in place of John Messara, then head to Godolphin to see how Vin Cox spends his day and the last third of the day would be at Newgate in Henry Field’s chair. Three well-established operations and three gentlemen that I could learn a lot from to improve what I do day-to-day.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
GC: Anamoe. Watch the races he hasn’t won and you will find plenty of excuses for him. He is a freak in my opinion.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite stallion, and why?
GC: Lonhro, he is ‘The Black Flash.’ Surely there is nothing left to say!
TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?
GC: Got through the two seasons of Ted Lasso in three days, brilliant!
Garry Cuddy
TDN AusNZ: Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?
GC: Jack Cripps. After his time as a Thoroughbred Industry Careers cadet, Jack was picked up by McEvoy Mitchell Racing and was recognised by Godolphin as the “Newcomer” at the SSSA awards night. Jack has a great passion for the industry and through the TIC program, he was able to make it his day-to-day life.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out 2022 first season sire honours?
GC: Overshare. It’s hard to go past one of your own when they have started so well. I’ll have a quinella with Russian Revolution as has the numbers behind him. He has started well and I was fortunate enough to buy his mum off the track in Kentucky many years ago.
TDN AusNZ: What's the first overseas trip you will be taking for fun post-COVID?
GC: I can not wait to get back to Kentucky and would love a European holiday to see a Manchester United game or two.
TDN AusNZ: What kept you occupied during this year's lockdowns, aside from work?
GC: Aside from work, it has been dad duties. Evie is 15 months now, which has been a whirlwind having three kids during all the lockdowns we have been through in Victoria.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?
GC: It would be great to see more done to educate the younger generation about our wonderful industry on how they can get involved, as well as providing more options for industry-based education. There are far too many negatives cast upon our industry and I feel that this stops kids from wanting to get involved, many of which could not be further from the truth.
TDN AusNZ: What's your 2022 New Year's resolution?
GC: To fit into my suit on the wedding day and wouldn’t knock back a Group 1 or two for Spendthrift!