Rapid Round with Steve O'Connor

In today's installment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Steve O’Connor the director of Go Bloodstock.

TDN AusNZ: What is your first memory related to horses?

Steve O’Connor: Watching a horse my dad was involved with, named Over The Road, run fourth in the 1991 Aintree Grand National.

TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?

SO'C: I worked with my dad through school and then at the beautiful Ballylinch Stud with John O'Connor.

TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the director of Go Bloodstock?

SO'C: I studied equine science in Ireland before spending several years learning my trade in the US with the late Gerry Dilger who was a great mentor and educator. I worked with Ian Brennan in Florida before being accepted into the Godolphin Flying Start program. Tom Ryan from SF Bloodstock has long been a mentor and friend who advised me to work for a young up-and-coming guy in Australia named Henry Field upon graduation – so I did. Henry is a go-getter and it was a great experience to work with Henry at the infancy of the Newgate story and continue to work with him now. The opportunity then arose to test my bloodstock skills with Brett Howard at Randwick Bloodstock (FBAA) who taught me a lot about bloodstock selling and valuations before I was put forward for an interview with Sir Owen Glenn who has big ambitions and I am determined to help him achieve these goals.

TDN AusNZ: What part of your job would people not know you do?

SO'C: The fun stuff – all the financial accounting, reporting and planning for the business alongside the family office. I also help out with other Glenn-owned entities if required.

TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe is a value sire for the upcoming breeding season, and why?

SO'C: Our own Russian Revolution is attractively priced and a horse who has served us well (via Rise Of The Masses). We are also fans of Blue Point whose progeny look fast, and Tarzino in New Zealand.

TDN AusNZ: Who is your pick of the first-season sires about to start covering?

SO'C: Stay Inside. We are taking a very strong position on him as an elite 2-year-old by an elite 2-year-old sire. We are sending him at least eight of our best including Ruud Awakening and Highly Discreet.

TDN AusNZ: What is your most memorable purchase working for Sir Owen Glenn?

SO'C: Dame Giselle was a great filly we purchased in my first year at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Also, purchasing Telaawa with Coolmore last year and then seeing her daughter Minhaaj win two Group 3s was rewarding, she has also produced a lovely Exceed And Excel colt. We purchased some lovely yearling colts this year so hopefully the best is still to come.

TDN AusNZ: What was the most impressive racing performance of the 2021/22 season for you?

SO'C: Nature Strip at Royal Ascot and Verry Elleegant in the Melbourne Cup are the standout memories.

TDN AusNZ: When inspecting yearlings, what are your top three must-haves?

SO'C: Good girth and hip, intelligent head and eye, athletic mover.

TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the industry?

SO'C: Identify a business/team you respect and want to work for. Work hard in this team and you will work your way up in an environment you like.

TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?

SO'C: Aidan O'Brien. Ballydoyle is a special place to train horses.

TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?

SO'C: Welfare and staffing are serious and well-covered issues so I would like to focus on owner engagement. In F1, they are experiencing record crowds and engagement fuelled by the success of their behind the scenes Netflix show Drive To Survive. Our industry has great characters such as Gai Waterhouse, Gerry Harvey, etc. – great rag-to-riches stories each carnival and great competition chasing stallions between global powerhouses, stallion funds or Joe Bloke. The content is there to attract a new, and engage an old, audience. It also offers owners great publicity.