Cover image courtesy of Inglis
In today's instalment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with the newly wed Lily Williams, the client relation and events coordinator at Inglis.
TDN AusNZ: What is your first memory related to horses?
Lily Williams (nee France) : When I was born my family was living in the Lindsay Park house at Randwick, so with the stables in our backyard I was surrounded by horses since day one, I was even christened in those stables so there really was no escaping a future in the industry! My very first horse memories were in that house. I remember being very little and 'helping' with feeds, my fourth birthday was an ‘under the sea’ party (I was a big fan of The Little Mermaid), we held it in the stables and all of the horses were ‘sea horses’… I thought it was the greatest thing of all time.
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?
LW: This one! I grew up surrounded by the industry, we moved to Macau for eight years when I was only seven as my dad was a chiro for the Macau and Hong Kong Jockey Clubs, so I have spent most of my life surrounded by the racing industry. I always felt I was more creatively inclined career-wise and hadn’t really considered other avenues of the industry outside of directly working with the horses. I had never imagined the two sides of my life colliding so it’s fair to say it was a shock to myself and my family when I took the job at Inglis, I wouldn’t have it any other way though, it’s been three years now and you’re stuck with me on this side of the fence!
Lily Williams (nee France) in the auctioneer box at Inglis' Melbourne complex | Image courtesy of Inglis
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the client relations and events coordinator at Inglis?
LW: I actually started in the restaurant industry, I had just come home from studying acting in New York when I was working for Matt Moran’s group Solotel, managing restaurants and events. The last venue I was running before coming to Inglis was North Bondi Fish, it is still a favourite of mine! I was at a point in my role where I was ready for a change, and an Inglis employee happened to be in the restaurant on a day where it was really busy, before he left he told me about a role that had just come up and would suit me, I thought ‘Hey, why not give it a go?’ and here we are! Being able to draw on different aspects of my life has really helped me in my role I think, coming from a client facing management role in a fast-paced environment I was prepared for the juggling that comes along with sales, and my background in events helped bring fresh perspective to what we do. To me it is a real reminder that you never know what skills are going to benefit you later in life so the more you can learn from anything you do, the better!
TDN AusNZ: Can you describe a normal day working at Inglis?
LW: In the thick of the sales there is a lot going on logistically to make sure all of our clients make it to the sales – flights, accommodation, cars, etc. - so there is a lot of co-ordinating with our travel agents, car partners, hotels and clients to make sure everything is arranged. Then the planning and managing our key events over this time – Millennium Day, Easter Cocktail Party, Golf Day, Aperol Gardens, Messina vans, welcome drinks, we are constantly working to entertain our clients and enhance the overall ‘Inglis experience’. Then there is our social media platforms, Instagram is the one I look after, as a marketing team we create so much content, so there is always something to be showcased! This year I took to jumping back in front of the camera to showcase some of what we have going on around the grounds, so that has been a bit of fun. All in all, there is no ‘normal’ day really, each day is about taking steps to bring everything together to create the best experience we can.
Lily Williams and Tony McEvoy | Image courtesy of Inglis
TDN AusNZ: Are you a racehorse owner now or in the past?
LW: I am and I have been involved in a handful in the past, I am currently in a filly with a ladies' syndicate with Lindsay Park who is looking rather promising so watch this space. I won’t name any names as I am ever so slightly superstitious!
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a bucket list of industry events you would like to tick off? What would they be?
LW: Events to attend - timely, but I have never been to Royal Ascot, I was set to go a few years ago and had my trip cut short and have regretted it ever since, so that is definitely high on the list – maybe next year. Events to plan… I would love to have a space in the Birdcage at Flemington over Cup week.
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the industry?
LW: Give it a go, there are so many different programs to help bring people up in the industry, great internships and so many different avenues available to be involved in. I believe the industry really rewards those that are hungry, open minded and risk takers, so throw yourself in and see where you land!
Lily Williams | Image courtesy of Inglis
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?
LW: Recently, Jimmy Unwala and Ross Hatton donated $20,000 to a competition to help (the winner) make their start pinhooking at the Inglis Great Southern Sale. So many people work so closely with these horses, they know what they’re looking for and what they like, and to be able to have the opportunity to be involved in buying one and hopefully give them a leg up in taking their career to the next stage, is amazing. I think anything that we can do to help the next generation of young people achieve their goals does so much to encourage the longevity of passionate workers in our industry.
