In today's instalment of 2021/2022 Rapid Reflections, we feature a quickfire round with Widden Stud's Nominations, Sales and Client Relations manager Matt Comerford.
TDN AusNZ: Favourite racing moment of 2021?
Matt Comerford: Certainly has been plenty this season but impossible to look past Nature Strip in The Everest. He is the best son of Nicconi and has shown how incredibly fast he is. So for him to win The Everest was a huge thrill.
Matt and Hannah Comerford
TDN AusNZ: Favourite non-racing moment?
MC: Being able to take my son Reuben to the UK to meet the other side of the family for the first time. Was very special for Hannah (Comerford) and everyone to meet him.
TDN AusNZ: What are you most looking forward to in the new year?
MC: It has to be seeing Trapeze Artist and Written By's progeny at the sales firstly, and then on the track. Both are extremely exciting and really looking forward to following them both.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
MC: Henry Field. There is so much to admire and aspire towards, from him building a great business in Newgate and a enviable stallion roster, to his colts syndicate and knowledge of the entire industry. 24 hours wouldn’t be enough, but I’m sure Henry doesn't get much sleep with how much he has going on in his head.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your favourite racehorse of this year?
MC: Nature Strip ticks this box. He is brilliant to watch and the dominant sprinter over the past couple of years.
Nature Strip | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
TDN AusNZ: Favourite binge-worthy television show?
MC: Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime. It was very enjoyable from start to finish. I wasn’t a huge fan of Jeremy Clarkson before this but the show has changed my opinion of him.
TDN AusNZ: Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why.
MC: There is plenty of talent presently, the young Widden Team are certainly a massive highlight but two that stand out for me are Harry Bailey from Inglis and James Hetherington from Magic Millions. They might not be the most popular gents during pre-sale inspections, but they have a great team around them and they are developing a wealth of knowledge. They are both a huge asset at the sales throughout the year.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think will take out 2022 first-season sire honours?
MC: Both Russian Revolution and Merchant Navy have some likely types and numbers on their side. Invader is going well and from the type of yearlings he throws he looks another to challenge the front runners.
Widden has Supido who has a live chance for the Magic Millions 2YO Classic in Stupendo. He couldn’t have won anymore impressively on debut, and we have had some positive reports on his progeny so will cheer him on.
TDN AusNZ: What do you consider the greatest sporting moment this year? (not solely racing related)
MC: Racing has so many great moments and outside this maybe the F1 Championship and of course hard to go past the Olympics and Paralympics.
TDN AusNZ: What's your 2022 New Year's resolution?
MC: No resolutions, just to spend as much time with Hannah and Reuben (son) around a busy work schedule.
