Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

Kiwi born and now Victorian based, Brad W Pearson calls Geelong home and has spent time in the Middle East where he first became involved with horses before returning to New Zealand and working for trainer Bruce Wallace.

Pearson was then off again voyaging to Australia where he spent time with the Hawkes camp (Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes) and then Peter and Paul Snowden. Pearson then discovered his passion for educating young thoroughbreds through Gary Bridges where he learned a lot about teaching the next generation of superstars.

Now established as Brad W Pearson he is ideally located 15 minutes from Geelong racecourse and serves a multitude of trainers including the Pakenham-based duo of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.

“I have probably been breaking about 200 to 250 horses a year. We’ve sort of consolidated a little bit as a few years ago it was actually a bit more than that. We are focusing more on clients that have got horses coming back through each year and prioritising them,” Pearson explained.

“We have had some really nice horses come through. Mr Quickie was the first Group 1 winner through our system and has flown the flag for Brad W Pearson Breaking. Krone has been a very good mare. However, one that sticks in my mind despite not winning a Group 1 (yet) is Pounding.”

Mr Quickie (Shamus Award) and Pounding (Exceed And Excel) both bred by Rosemont Stud, and have Wylie Dalziel involved.

The now retired Mr Quickie was a dual Group 1 winner for trainer Phillip Stokes and was purchased by Dalziel Racing for $115,000 from the draft of Rosemont Stud at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, while Pounding - still active and is trained by Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman - is a Group 3 victor and placed at Group 1 level.

Pounding is co-owned by Dalziel Racing and Rosemont Stud.

Krone (Eurozone) - who now resides at Rosemont Stud - was raced by Roll The Dice Racing and won the G1 Coolmore Classic.

Gallery: Some of the Group winners that have come through Brad Pearson's system, images courtesy of The Image Is Everything

“We had a bit to do with Pounding early on. We had him for his first couple of preparations before he went to Moods (Peter Moody), and I thought a fair bit of him then; it was a bit surprising that he took a while to crack his maiden, but he’s really started to put it together and make a nice horse of himself.

“He always looked like he needed more time, but he just put himself there and was a very natural and professional horse, yet he took a little bit of time to put it together on the racetrack,” Pearson explained.

“Mr Quickie was a really tough horse. He took a little bit of work early when he had him. He was the type of horse that a few days a week you had to get a bit of work into him. However, once you had him thinking he was a lovely horse to have around.”

Educating the next stars

Pearson explained his method towards educating the next generation of stars.

“I focus a lot on pressure and release and desensitisation with them. I feel you can’t get the best out of a horse if you haven’t got them relaxed before you start asking questions of them,” he said.

“It’s really important to have them in a good state of mind before you put any pressure on them. We do a bit of pony work before we get them started under saddle and then we’ll probably do about a week under the saddle on their own before we start pairing them up. We don’t want them to rely on being with another horse all the time.

“And from there we start pairing them up with more advanced horses and teach them how to be a racehorse, so to speak.”

Ones to watch

Pearson picked out some recent graduates he felt could make the grade based on the feel they gave him early in their education.

“There’s a lot of water to go under the bridge from when we see them until they go the races, but we have had some really nice horses through this year.

“One we did for Moods this year was a Written Tycoon colt from Plucky Belle who is now named Gallant Son. From the moment he stepped off the truck and without seeing the breeding, you sort of go, 'Wow, this is a lovely type of horse.'”

Gallant Son (Written Tycoon) was offered at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling but was passed in with a reserve of $500,000. He has been retained by his breeders D and M Esplin.

The colt is the fourth foal from the G1 Coolmore Classic winner Plucky Belle (Mossman).

“We had a really nice colt by Toronado from the mare Dream Food. He has returned to Matthew Williams. The colt was probably one of the most advanced Toronados I’ve worked with at that stage.

“He was a really nice type of colt. He was one you had to keep him thinking a bit as well as he could get a little bit above himself. However, he was just very natural with everything, and we did a bit of schooling with him and things like that just to keep his mind on the job.”

The Toronado (Ire) colt is the third foal from the Snitzel mare Dream Food. She was a dual winner and is a half-sister to I’ll Have A Bit (Smart Missile) who won the G2 Euclase S. and ran fourth in the G1 Winterbottom S.

“One for Symon Wilde that probably needs a bit of time, and she’s in the right camp to get it, is The Autumn Sun x Silla Regalis filly,” Pearson told TTR AusNZ.

“It will take her a little bit to put it together I think, but she just had that bit of class about her for a horse that’s a little bit raw still, she still had that class factor which is a good sign.”

The unnamed daughter of The Autumn Sun was a $60,000 purchase by Wilde Racing from the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale when offered by Noorilim Park. She is the seventh foal from the Encosta De Lago mare Silla Regalis.

The dam hails from the family of the Champion galloper Silent Witness (El Moxie {USA}) and the Group 2 winner Sister Madly (Redoute’s Choice).

The progeny of Arrowfield Stud’s The Autumn Sun has left quite an impression on Pearson.

“I really like them (The Autumn Suns). He’ll definitely have plenty of nice 3-year-olds. The Autumn Sun was the pick of my first-season sires last year, and they always gave me the impression that they would be more 3-year-old types.”

Pearson’s judgement is appearing validated when Autumn Ballet stormed to a victory in the G2 Silver Shadow S. to add to her debut G3 Black Opal S. success.

“There was a Written By filly from Jeanneau that we educated for Moody Racing and Dalziel Bloodstock. She was quite nice. I’ve only had a handful of the Written By progeny, so it’s a bit hard to draw a line on them. But I’ve enjoyed working with them,” Pearson told TTR AusNZ.

“I have found them a little bit volatile to begin with. However, once you get them on your side, they’re good.”

The Written By filly now named Versaille is the fourth foal from the Beneteau mare Jeanneau. The filly was a $150,000 purchase by Dalziel Bloodstock and Moody Racing from the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

Pearson rated Zoustar as an established stallion whose progeny he enjoys working with and has been impressed by the progeny of Zoustar’s son Zousain.

“I really enjoy working with the Zoustars. They are highly intelligent horses they can take a little bit to keep on the right path; they like to be stimulated and I find the Zousains are the same. We’ve actually got a filly there for Grahame Begg at the moment by Zousain out of the Your Song mare Elusive Melody.

“We did another one out of Elusive Melody last year by Written By. I’ve really enjoyed working with both of those fillies. Elusive Melody’s filly by Written By was a tad on the small side and a little bit timid, but she had a great temperament once you brought her out of her shell,” Pearson shared.

“And this Zousain filly from Elusive Melody for Grahame Begg this year is as good as a type we’ve had for the year to be honest with you.”

What makes a good racehorse?

But what traits indicate a racehorse could potentially carry the ability to be the next superstar of the track?

“Balance is a huge one. I get a good feel for them in their first couple of rides, how naturally balanced they are. Another one is how they learn and if they improve from preparation to preparation,” Pearson explained.

“For example, say you do a month or six weeks with a horse then they go to the paddock for a month or so before returning. It’s really interesting for me to see if they have taken any natural improvement once we resume the process and if they have, I always feel it’s a really good sign.”

Exceedance impresses Pearson

From the first-season stallions set to have runners this spring Pearson is putting his money on the Vinery Stud-based Exceedance. The son of Exceed And Excel claimed the G1 Coolmore Stud S. in a pulsating edition of the straight race when he chased down another son of Exceed And Excel in Bivouac.

“Look, I’ve been really taken by the Exceedance progeny this year. I actually have taken a share in one myself this year.

“I think they are going to be a little similar to The Autumn Sun progeny. I don’t know if they’re going to be 2-year-olds as I think they might be better 3-year-olds.

“I’ve just found that the Exceedance progeny are naturally balanced. They might look a little bit rangy and so forth, but I think they’re going to come together nicely with a bit of time.”

Cover image courtesy of Woodside Park Stud

Will Stott, a senior bloodstock consultant at Inglis, has been on the road the past week attending the local stallion parades.

Stott was present at the Woodside Park Stud stallion parade on Friday to view the stud’s proven lineup.

“I was at Woodside Park Stud on Friday for one of their parades, which was really good,” Stott told TTR AusNZ.

“We saw all the horses including Delaware who I hadn’t seen before. Obviously, Shalaa has just moved to Victoria and he looked amazing.

“Credit to the team at Woodside, all the stallions looked really fantastic and were exceptionally behaved.”

Stott explained the stallion parades are an essential part of his role as it allows him to catch up with clients and view the stallions and their progeny.

“Woodside are doing weekly parades through August and there were probably 20-odd people at the parade I attended. It was a great way to mingle and chat to Mark Dodemaide and Eddie Hirsch, we had a good chat about the roster.”

Woodside Park Stud has invested heavily in a quality roster of five stallions, all bar one has had runners to the track and that is Delaware (GB), who brings exceptional bloodlines to Victoria as a son of Frankel (GB).

Among the new acquisitions to Woodside Park Stud this season is Shalaa (Ire) who previously stood at Arrowfield Stud and has sired 15 stakes winners in total, he will stand the 2023 season for $22,000 (inc GST).

The G1 Golden Slipper winner Vancouver has also joined the roster for $11,000 (inc GST), a sire of 10 stakes winners including the exciting Overpass.

The roster is rounded out by the proven Foxwedge and Rich Enuff who will also stand for $11,000 (inc GST).

Gallery: Some of Woodside Park Stud's roster in 2023

Stott explained a horse like Shalaa is a fantastic option for Victorian breeders.

“I think a horse like Shalaa has done a really good job and priced at $22,000, he’s had several stakes winners this year,” Stott said.

“He’s obviously an outcross to a lot of the mare population; I think he’ll really suit the VOBIS scheme in Victoria. However, I think Shalaa’s biggest asset is how good looking he is. He’s just a really lovely type of animal with good numbers coming through.

“So from a commercial point of view, there is a good chance Shalaa will continue to get more stakes winners and improve his commercial appeal.”

Stott also pointed out Rich Enuff on the Woodside Park Stud roster as a horse that catches his eye.

“I’m a big fan of Rich Enuff. I think he represents great value in Victoria. He’s had four stakes-winning fillies in Australia,” Stott told TTR AusNZ.

“We enjoy selling his progeny at Inglis, especially his fillies; they are always attractive to the market. Rich Enuff also produces horses that win in Hong Kong and as a result we sold a couple to Hong Kong at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale this year. They are popular with domestic and international buyers, we sold a colt for $140,000, then of course a mare like Dosh made $1.35 million at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale this year.

“Rich Enuff stands for $11,000, he’s an outcross and is an easy horse to breed to. There is a lot of upside for that sort of money.

“On top of that he is a very good-looking horse, a big strong strapping lad, very much like Written Tycoon.”

The aforementioned Delaware brings the Juddmonte Farms breeding excellence to Tylden. A son of that operation’s superhorse Frankel, and from an Oasis Dream (GB) mare who is related to a galloper Australians would know well in the former Chris Waller-trained Finche (GB) (Frankel {GB}).

Delaware was a 4l Group 3 winner in France and a Listed winner in North America, he stands the 2023 breeding season for $8800 (inc GST).

“Frankel is flying in Australia and he’s doing a seriously impressive job as a stallion, I think one in four are stakes winners here. Despite this there are only a handful of sons in Australia by Frankel.

“He stands for an accessible fee for that bloodline, if you’re a Frankel fan I can’t see why Delaware wouldn’t be an attractive option for breeders.”

Victoria parades impress across the board

Stott has also attended the Darley Northwood Park, Yulong, Widden Victoria, Swettenham and Rosemont parades before embarking on a tour of the Hunter Valley.

“All those parades were really good. I think Rosemont was the winner for the best coffee though.

“The parades really illustrated that Victoria is in a strong place as a breeding state. There is a fantastic mix of first-season sires, up-and-coming sires and established sires,” he explained.

“Breeders are really spoiled for choice. It was fantastic to see Bruckner as Widden Stud, as he was sale-topper of the 2020 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale. He has always been an outstanding type and being a son of Snitzel he is another great acquisition for Victoria.

“Bruckner also brings elite race performance, he placed behind Home Affairs in the Coolmore Stud S., that horse stands in the Hunter Valley for $99,000 (inc GST) and Bruckner $11,000 (inc GST). I think Bruckner is a pretty safe option for breeders.

“Gold Standard, another stallion at Widden, is very interesting. He sired a Group 1 winner in his first crop (Sheeza Belter).

“He hasn’t had a huge amount of opportunity, but he’s thrown a Group 1 horse. I think now breeders have seen what he can do, his stocks are going to rise.”

Stott added that he feels Kermadec (NZ) is another of many great proven options in the state at $16,500 (inc GST).

The Darley stallion has sired seven stakes winners including the G1 VRC Oaks heroine Willowy.

“Kermadec is of great value. He has sired four Group 1 winners and is such a beautiful animal when you see him parade, you're more or less breeding a 3-year-old mile-plus horse. However, I think from the opportunities he’s had he’s done a good job. Shamus Award is a good value stallion with plenty of stock to come through the next few years and his stats to date are pretty impressive.

“I mean you look at a horse like Blue Point at Darley, his stats are unreal in the Northern Hemisphere, he could be anything and the fact Darley has chosen to stand him in Victoria is another boost for the state.

“Grunt, who stands at Yulong, is off to a good start and he’s got three quite impressive looking horses from Veight, Akicita and Last Supper, a graduate of our Ready2Race Sale last year, who won in Singapore on the weekend.

“Then breeders have the option of the proven horses like Nicconi, Magnus and Toronado, Rubick, Brazen Beau and Street Boss who has returned for the 2023 season.

“While Sejardan, Paulele, Hanseatic are all very good value. From what I’ve seen, breeders who breed to any of these horses and produce good physicals will be making significant profits off those service fees.

“I have seen a bit of Hanseatic lately. Obviously, breeding to him in a third season is a punt, but he was a very fast 2-year-old from Black Caviar’s family and by Street Boss.

“Hanseatic has received a lot of support in earlier books and I think that’s always a confidence boost for breeders. For example, another horse who we saw at Yulong standing his first season Diatonic, is going to be very interesting, with the support he will receive from Yulong.

“If you're breeding to Diatonic you are going to feel very confident knowing he’s been given every chance to succeed. He’s a very well-credentialled stallion for Victoria and is going to be supported with quality mares of the calibre of Jamaea (who we just sold on Inglis Digital for $1.025 million) in his first season.

“Pierata, who has also joined Yulong in Victoria this year, is just a beautiful horse. I was taken by how attractive and athletic he is, and of course he comes from a lovely family. The talk that we (Inglis) have heard from trainers and Ready2Race vendors has all been positive.

“Pierata is set to be represented by 2-year-olds in the Inglis Ready2Race Sale and the breeze-up guys who I speak to regularly really rate them. I know that Peter Moffatt is a big fan of his colt.

“So, I think for breeders that really helps in making their decisions. I also have a soft spot for Pierata as a racehorse.”

Stock from stallions catch the eye

While visiting the stallion parades, Stott has also started the Inglis yearling inspections and is really liking what he’s seen from stock by Victorian stallions.

“I have seen some lovely stock by a number of local stallions. For example Dirty Work was an $800,000 Inglis Easter Yearling and so he was a beautiful yearling himself and now he’s leaving stock that are really impressive physicals. Likewise Doubtland is leaving a great physical.

“I haven’t been out to Leneva Park yet. However, I saw Fierce Impact and Royal Meeting last year and I have viewed a number of really nice Fierce Impact progeny as well.

“Royal Meeting is into his fourth season and should have runners this year. We sold a couple of them this year, and we’re in a spot where they’ve got young horses with plenty of upside and hopefully they get quality runners,” Stott said.

“Fierce Impact is leaving a really nice type as you would expect from a good-looking and strong son of Deep Impact.

“Russian Camelot, another exciting young sire. I saw a really nice one at Yarran the other day that is being aimed at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.

“I think when you see him in the flesh you can see why he was such a good racehorse.”

Stott like many in Victoria whether they be breeders or consultants feels there is a real sense of opportunity for breeders across all price ranges.

O'Meara feels spoilt for choice

Gary O’Meara of Miranda Park holds the same sentiment of Stott when it comes to the strength of the Victorian breeding industry.

Miranda Park is in close proximity to Woodside Park Stud making the trip convenient for O’Meara.

“The parades were really good. The stallions were in excellent condition,” O’Meara told TTR AusNZ.

“I was very impressed with the way they’ve got them looking; they all looked healthy and ready to start a busy season. So, you know kudos to the team at Woodside Park Stud to have them looking good for the start of the season.

“I think the whole roster has a bit going for them. Our first foal that was born two nights ago is by Rich Enuff. He was a 56kg, correct, strong colt. The foal is exactly what the breeder was looking and aiming to achieve as the breeder is looking to produce a trade horse. So, it is the type of horse that I imagine is going to really fit the bill for that job,” O’Meara shared.

“We were so impressed with the foal that we’re actually sending two of our own mares to Rich Enuff this year hoping to get the same thing this guy got the other night.”

O’Meara shares several close contacts in Hong Kong who enjoyed the parade with two clients from the jurisdiction.

“I actually took two Hong Kong clients with me and they were impressed with the stud itself and how professional the whole set-up is and the quality of the stallions on offer.

“We do a lot of walk-ons especially to Woodside and Widden. Quite a lot of clients send mares to us (Miranda Park) to foal down and walk on to those studs.

“Woodside Park Stud has a roster of proven options for example we had a runner at Bairnsdale (Monday) by Foxwedge named Vienna Vixen. She was ridden by the young Luke Cartwright, a 4kg claiming apprentice and the mare and Luke got beaten a short head.

“So, to produce a horse like her at a very accessible fee that Foxwedge stands at actually gives the breeder a chance to get something back,” O’Meara explained.

“We aren’t chasing those huge service fees and there’s quite a few studs, Woodside, Widden, Rosemont and Blue Gum that have stallions standing at very attractive prices.

“Then Darley on the little higher end has Blue Point and Street Boss.”

Bruckner and Sejardan finds another fan

O’Meara shared that Bruckner and Sejardan standing their first seasons at Widden Stud and Blue Gum Farm respectively has also caught his eye.

“Bruckner and Sejardan are very well-credentialled young stallions. We have been getting involved and will be sending mares and taking some breeding rights in Sejardan.

“We’ve got a couple of clients who have already booked mares to Sejardan and I can see why. He was a very talented juvenile that is well-bred and a good type. You would say their progeny will be sellable and worthwhile to breed from.”

Like many others who have visited Yulong this week, O'Meara is blown away by the investment made by Yuesheng Zhang.

“The investment made by Yulong is just quite extraordinary and bringing Pierata down adds another sort of middle level commercial stallion to Victoria. We’ve got a nice mare called Black Boots in foal to him (Pierata).

“Miranda Park and the whole Victorian industry is getting to capitalise off the investment by Yulong a little bit. Because we have a lot of Chinese clients at our farm and we’ve had a connection with China over the years,” O’Meara explained.

“And those clients have been quite keen to use Mr Zhang’s stallions.

“Swettenham Stud and Leneva Park are another two farms that have got some great options for breeders.

“Fierce Impact is a great prospect. One of the better yearlings on the farm is a colt by him. I just think a Group 1-winning son of Deep Impact who is producing good types, like why wouldn’t he be successful?

“Toronado is a stallion we used a lot in the early days and we’ve had success with him at the sales, a couple of six-figure results.

“He’s a really good stallion and we have a filly we passed in by Toronado who is now in training with Symon Wilde. She was a magnificent filly therefore it might prove to be a blessing in disguise.

“Toronado is a real standout amongst the higher end of the Victorian stallion ranks.

“I think a horse like Puissance De Lune goes under the radar a little bit. He’s an underrated horse, I’m sure he can pull out a real top liner at some stage because he was an outstanding horse himself. We actually bred him last season. Plus he’s a son of Shamardal, who is a bit of the flavour of the month.

“Shamus Award is another one we will be using. We are sending him a mare by General Nediym who has produced an Oaks winner. He is a great proven option as he’s shown he can produce Group 1 horses.

“We have also bred to Hanseatic and were very impressed by him. You would the quality and quantity of mares that he has served in his first 2-years he is an enormous chance.

“Chopping and changing a bit with stallions Kermadec is one we are quite bullish on and one of our best young mares is due to foal to him. I’ve got an eye on her as she’s some beads of wax there.

“And Kermadec is just incredible value for a horse that’s already produced two stars and he’s an outstanding type.

“Yeah, that's right. Given he’s produced Group 1-winning colts/geldings and fillies, you wouldn’t mind if you get either.

“Shalaa really impressed me at Woodside Park. We have a lovely filly by Shalaa that we bought with a mare as a foal at foot.

“And it’s been good fortune as the stallion has gone from strength to strength. There might have been a perception Arrowfeld is moving him on but we saw with Shamus Award when he moved from Widden to Rosemont there is still plenty of life. I think it’s a real boost as a breeder in Victoria to have access to them.

“Shalaa has a touch of class. Foxwedge is a good consistent sire and I think the fact that we are breeding to Rich Enuff based on what we saw at the parade and the foal we’ve had really puts that stallion up there.

“It’s hard to narrow in on one as there are some very, very good options across the board in Victoria and the stallion parades always highlight that when you attend the parades.”

Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything

In today's Q & A, we feature a quick-fire round with Duncan Ramage, owner of DGR Thoroughbred Services Pty Ltd (FBAA).

Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding related - for the 2022/23 season?

Duncan Ramage: As the former yearling purchaser of and still the manager for a significant portion of the So You Think Stallion Partnership with Coolmore, to see the horse become runner-up for a second year in a row of the Australian General Sires' Table is an obvious highlight. Long will the highlight repeat.

Which sire do you consider a value sire? Fee <$50k and not a first-season sire.

DR: $50,000 is not an insignificant service fee in itself, but in the parameters of the question, Smart Missile at an advertised fee of $13,200 (inc GST) to get a young mare on the scoreboard as a dam of winners is a value bet.

What young sire (less than three crops) do you think will one day be Champion Sire?

DR: They all have to get in the queue. With some oldies still very much in the game and the cohort of middle-aged sires likely to fill that mantel the young sires might be in the far queue.

What, if any, is your greatest current-industry concern?

DR: Lack of junior-aged staff particularly riders in racing stables aside from stud farm staff.

Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?

DR: Corey Brown in his new role as a racing commentator gives very succinct and insightful analysis of what is occurring to the viewer.

If you had $10 million to invest in an industry initiative, what would it be and why?

DR: A Jockeys Academy in the model of the South African Academy including on-site accommodation (vital to keep the little blighters focused). Not all will become successful jockeys, but they will feed through into various industry roles, not just the hands-on workforce but over time commentators, stewards, educators themselves.