In today's installment of 2022 Rapid Round, we feature a quick-fire round with Lowri Allen, the assistant bloodstock agent for Laurel Oak Bloodstock (FBAA).
TDN AusNZ: What is your first memory related to horses?
Lowri Allen: My first memory relating to horses is when I was aged four and my parents loaned me a little palomino pony called Titch, I remember riding her for the first time and falling off and breaking my left arm - it certainly wasn’t the best start!
Lowri Allen at Pony Club as a child
TDN AusNZ: What was your first job in the thoroughbred industry?
LA: When I was studying at Cardiff University I started riding out for local trainer, Robert Stephens. I loved it and this experience led to me wanting to work in the thoroughbred industry after university. I then completed the British Horseracing Graduate Development program in 2016, which included a work placement at the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), it was a great experience, and I then spent a few years working for the BHA in communications and project management roles.
TDN AusNZ: What pathways led you to become the assistant bloodstock agent for Laurel Oak Bloodstock?
LA: After spending a few years working for the BHA in London, I decided I wanted to learn more about the international thoroughbred industry. Consequently, I took part in the Godolphin Flying Start Program from 2019 to 2021, which included spending seven months in Australia. I thoroughly enjoyed the many aspects of the program, but particularly learning more about the bloodstock industry and attending the major international sales. A desire to pursue a role in this side of the industry led me to my current role at Laurel Oak Bloodstock.
Lowri Allen during a Godolphin Flying Start placement with trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
TDN AusNZ: What part of your job would people not know you do?
LA: Laurel Oak Bloodstock have devised their own pedigree analysis system which quantifies mare/stallion ratings. Clients use it to assist with their own mating plans and we also use it ourselves when shortlisting horses at the sales. I run the numbers for any matings requiring analysis.
TDN AusNZ: Are you, or have you been, a racehorse owner?
LA: A very small one! A group of five of us got together and have taken a share in Fireburn’s younger half-brother who is being trained by Gary Portelli. He’s certainly got big footsteps to follow after the success of his older sister this year.
TDN AusNZ: Who is your pick of the first-season sires this covering season?
LA: My pick would be Coolmore’s shuttle stallion, St Mark’s Basilica. His performance in the G1 Irish Champions S. to defeat Tarnawa and Poetic Flair was mightily impressive, he was a truly exceptional racehorse and I’m really looking forward to seeing his progeny.
St Mark’s Basilica (Fr) | Standing at Coolmore
TDN AusNZ: What was the most impressive racing performance of the 2021/22 season for you?
LA: A predictable answer, but it has to be the Laurel Oak-owned Fireburn winning the Golden Slipper. She didn’t have the smoothest passage in the race and to overcome that and win as impressively as she did was a stellar performance. She is a great advertisement for Laurel Oak, as she was bred by a Laurel Oak breeding syndicate, with Louis buying her dam specifically to support Rebel Dane at stud.
TDN AusNZ: What advice would you give to an aspiring person wanting to work in the industry?
LA: The advice I would give is to not be afraid to ask people for work experience or offer your assistance on a project or piece of work that interests you. Most people are usually delighted to have someone to help or learn from them.
TDN AusNZ: If you could be someone else in the industry for a day who would it be, and why?
LA: I would have loved to have been James McDonald on the Tuesday of Royal Ascot this year. Riding Nature Strip to a stand-out success in front of a huge Royal Ascot crowd must have been an amazing feeling!
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry in 2022?
LA: More Australian pony racing! Lindy Maurice at Thoroughbred Industry Careers (TIC) has been the brainchild behind introducing the concept in Australia and I would like to see it rolled out at a greater scale. I took part in the British equivalent for several years and without it, I would never have had the confidence to start riding out for a trainer.
