Cover image courtesy of Inglis
In today's Q & A, we feature a quick-fire round with Jonathan D'Arcy, general manager bloodstock operations at Inglis.
Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding related - for the 2022/23 season?
Jonathan D’Arcy: The Chairman’s Sale at Riverside was just an amazing night. Seeing those wonderful race mares like Nimalee ($3.6 million), Montefilia ($3.4 million) and Icebath ($2.3 million) sell so well just made for great theatre.
Which sire do you consider a value sire? Fee <$50k and not a first-season sire.
JD: I think Supido has shown the ability to upgrade his mares. With the likes of Buenos Noches and What You Need he has produced two of the better up-and-coming sprinters in the country from limited opportunities. At under $20,000 he looks good value.
Supido | Standing at Widden Stud
What young sire (less than three crops) do you think will one day be Champion Sire?
JD: I think Maurice is producing horses that can compete from 1000 to 2400 metres. His strike rate of producing elite horses is also very encouraging. The support he is receiving from breeders with quality mares will ensure his opportunity will come to win a premiership.
Which yearling purchase in 2023 are you most excited about?
JD: Can’t wait to see the Snitzel x Snogging colt that Vic Bates purchased from Inglis Easter. It would be ironic if all the stallion syndicates missed him and Rob and Luke Price along with Vic could win a big 2-year-old race with him.
The Snitzel x Snogging (colt) purchased by Roughwood Park for $900,000 from the draft of Silverdale Farm at the 2023 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Inglis
What, if any, is your greatest current-industry concern?
JD: The lack of a constructive national body to oversee our racing and breeding industry leaves us without a united voice to combat criticism from lobby groups wanting to disrupt and bring our industry down. Internal politics are weakening our position in the community and the respect of our peers overseas. We are just as much a people and agricultural industry as we are a gambling and leisure industry. We need to tell our story better to ensure the general community sees an important group of people delivering positive returns for Australia.
Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?
JD: I am completely biased, but I feel very fortunate to work with an outstanding team of young people at Inglis who I am confident will forge great careers in our industry for years to come. Their passion to help our clients will not only benefit Inglis but will assist our clients to achieve their goals in what is a tough industry.
If you had $10 million to invest in an industry initiative, what would it be and why?
JD: It would be great to see a structured approach to education and training young people to work in our industry. This needs to start from a young age, career days at schools, thoroughbred exhibitions and information outlets at pony clubs and other equestrian events. Levels of certification that can be used to advance their position in the industry. We need to compete with all the other industries that attract young people as they leave school. We have so many different roles that people can aspire to in our workforce and a multitude of farms, stables and experienced people that would be prepared to support them. The career path for young people in our industry has never been brighter. It just needs structure and funding to be able to promote to our younger generations the opportunities that exist with thoroughbreds.
