Brad Pearson was born in Auckland, New Zealand but moved to Bahrain, the island state is situated east of Saudi Arabia and north of Qatar, with his family when he was seven, as his father took up a job as a civil engineer. It was there that Pearson got involved in dressage and show jumping.
Upon returning to his homeland years later, Pearson cut his teeth working for Group 1-winning trainer Bruce Wallace.
When he was 15, Pearson moved again, this time to Australia. He worked for John Hawkes, before venturing to Ireland, where he had a stint with Dermot Weld. He returned to Australia and joined the Peter and Paul Snowden stable, where he stayed for six years.
Brad Pearson when he first started B.W. Pearson Horse Breaking
At the end of 2013, and fuelled by a particular interest in the pre-race education of horses, Pearson started his own business, 'B.W. Pearson Horse Breaking'. He claims it was time to “take a throw at the stumps” and it's proven one that has “paid dividends”.
He is now in charge of a 60-acre property located 15 minutes from Geelong Racecourse. Facilities include a 1400-metre sand track, bull ring, round yards and horse walker.
With a client base including Peter Moody, Symon Wilde, Matthew Williams, Henry Dwyer and Rosemont Stud, Pearson has worked with some top-class gallopers. One of those was Mr Quickie (Shamus Award), who won two Group 1s and $2.1 million in earnings during his 30-start career.
Gallery: Some of the classy gallopers Brad Pearson's has worked with, images courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Classy mare Krone (Eurozone) was another Pearson educated. She too was a Group 1 winner and amassed just shy of $1.5 million in prizemoney.
And in more recent times, Pearson was responsible for developing this year’s G1 ATC Australian Oaks heroine El Patroness (Shamus Award) into a racehorse.
Talent identification
Each year, following January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Pearson works with between 200-250 babies, preparing them for life as a racehorse.
His experience has enabled him to spot a horse with good ability from an early stage, however, he admits he has worked with a number of gallopers that have blossomed later in their education phase.
“I find the first ride can give you a really good indication of a horse’s athleticism and their demeanour, but I really like to see their improvement when they come back for a second preparation… the natural improvement they take from prep to prep,” he said. “I think that’s a really good guide on how they’re going to improve into a racehorse.”
“I find the first ride can give you a really good indication of a horse’s athleticism and their demeanour, but I really like to see their improvement when they come back for a second preparation…” - Brad Pearson
The Autumn Sun shines brightly
Like most pre-race educators we have spoken to as part of this series, Pearson has been hugely impressed with the progeny of Arrowfield Stud-based stallion The Autumn Sun, whose first runners will hit the track this season.
The Autumn Sun | Standing at Arrowfield Stud
“The Autumn Sun is my pick of the new stallions this year,” Pearson commented.
“We’ve probably had about a dozen of them so far. I don’t know if they’re going to be early runners… whatever they show as 2-year-olds, they’re going to improve on as 3-year-olds.
“They seem like very genuine horses that want to please you. They’re really nice, athletic horses.
“They (The Autumn Sun’s progeny) seem like very genuine horses that want to please you. They’re really nice, athletic horses.” - Brad Pearson
“They seem to be able to go nice and soft in their slow work and then when you ask them to switch on and do a little bit, they put themselves there to do the job.
“They’ve really impressed me.”
A filly by The Autumn Sun, from the Group 2-winning mare Winning Belle (NZ) (Zabeel {NZ}) really pleased Pearson.
She was bred by the Esplin Family and offered by Tartan Fields at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. Victorian trainer Dwyer paid $210,000 for her.
The Autumn Sun x Winning Belle (NZ) (filly) | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly is a half-sister to Group 1 victress Plucky Belle (Mossman) and related to Group 3 winner Our Ella Belle (NZ) (Encosta De Lago).
“We started with her earlier in the year and her attitude was impeccable,” Pearson remarked.
“She was small and a bit immature at the time, but she has just come back to pre-training and has improved out of sight.
“She is a lovely, well-rounded filly with an excellent length of stride.”
“She (The Autumn Sun x Winning Belle) is a lovely, well-rounded filly with an excellent length of stride.” - Brad Pearson
Following in the old man’s footsteps
Another stallion soon to have his first runners is Written By, who stands at Widden Stud.
Written By is a son of 2020/21 Champion Sire Written Tycoon and he won the G1 Blue Diamond S. in 2018. He won four of his five starts at two and was fourth in the G1 Golden Slipper S.
Pearson believes his progeny won’t take long to make an impression.
“I think they might get up and going early,” he said.
“I think they (Written By’s progeny) might get up and going early.” - Brad Pearson
“We’ve had a handful of them through…early on, they were a little bit nervous and took a bit of work, but they switched on to the job really well and by the time we had finished with them, they were really kind horses. They felt like they just put themselves there to do the job for you, as well.”
A filly out of Elusive Melody (Your Song) was a standout for Pearson.
She was bred by Widden Stud and was a member of their draft at the 2022 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. Greg Eurell purchased her for $200,000.
Written By x Elusive Melody (filly) | Image courtesy of Inglis
The filly’s third dam, Songs Of Vienna (Umatilla {NZ}) was a Listed winner and has thrown stakes winner City Of Song (Your Song). Group 2 winner Hadabeclorka (Hurricane Sky) is from the same family.
“She was one that really impressed me,” said Pearson.
“She took a little bit of work early, but ended up being a lovely filly who presented herself as a potential early runner.”
Written By | Standing at Widden Stud
A favourite sire
From older stallions with a proven record to new sires that are just starting off, Pearson has worked with progeny that come in all shapes and sizes, and at different stages of maturity.
One sire he has taken a particular liking to is Widden Stud resident Zoustar.
“It probably comes as no surprise that I am in love with the Zoustars. They are very athletic horses, they’re trainable, they can have a mind of their own, but if you keep them on the right path, they’re very intelligent horses to work with,” Pearson explained.
“They (Zoustar's progeny) are very athletic horses, they’re trainable, they can have a mind of their own, but if you keep them on the right path, they’re very intelligent horses to work with.” - Brad Pearson
One of the best of Zoustar's offspring Pearson educated is the Peter Moody-trained Millane.
The 3-year-old colt was bred by Fairway Thoroughbreds and was consigned to the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. offered by Segenhoe Stud, he was purchased by Moody Racing, Rosemont Victorian Alliance, Suman Hedge Bloodstock (FBAA) and David Redvers Bloodstock for $1.15 million.
Millane is out of the Group 3-winning Snitzel mare Fireworks, who is a sibling to Group 1 winner Calveen (NZ) (Canny Lad) and stakes winners Kosi Bay (NZ) (Spinning World {USA}) and Striker (NZ) (Van Nistelrooy {USA}).
He has had three starts, winning at Listed level on debut, before finishing third at his next two outings.
Millane, winner of the Listed VRC Foundation Plate | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“We had him last year and I had a lot of time for that horse,” Pearson said.
“He ticked all of the boxes. You had to keep him thinking… we would do a few different things with him, like pop him over a few logs, just to keep him fresh and keep his mind ticking over.
“He was a very athletic horse with a good brain and he liked being mentally challenged. He really was a lovely horse to work with.
“It looks like he will get better with more racing and as the distances increase.”
