Cover image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
As the breeders of three horses to have won seven stakes races this season, Woppitt are right in the thick of things with operations who breed with much larger groups of mares - Debbie Kepitis and her family only ever breeding with “a neat group of four or five.”
Leading the way this season for the family is Australia's best Classic 3-year-old, the horse who did the job in the spring and the autumn - the G1 VRC Derby and G1 ATC Derby hero Riff Rocket (American Pharaoh {USA}).
He is the second foal for Missile Coda (Smart Missile) who Woppitt secured as a yearling for $400,000 at the Gold Coast Magic Millions. Racing 13 times, she won five races, earning black-type at her final start when second in Listed company at Doomben.
Riff Rocket | Image courtesy of Racing Photos
Making his debut as a late season 2-year-old last year, the horse affectionately referred to as “Riffy” was not pushed, Debbie noting that “the American Pharoah breed just need that bit of time.”
Which, she added is one of the advantages of breeding to race... she is in no rush to get her home-bred babies to the track.
Emotional attachment
Babies is a good way to describe Debbie's horses - all who tuned into the recent Easter sales remembering when she referred to the Pierro-Winx (Street Cry {Ire}} filly as her "granddaughter."
In his early days Riff Rocket was, his owner recalled “a bit of a naughty boy” but gelding set his mind straight and he is already the winner of over $3.5 million in stakes having found the line on seven occasions from his 11 starts.
Each horse is special for a different - and not always obvious - reason (Debbie citing Canny Lad's Listed winning daughter Seances her favourite of “the cerise horses”... “I don't know why really, she just resonated with me”) but it is pretty clear-cut why Lindermann (Lonhro) means so much to her.
Debbie's Pierro x Winx filly | Image courtesy of Inglis
Last year's G1 Rosehill Guineas winner lost his way for a little while but since being gelded has “had his mind back on the job.”
So much so that he was able to record a dominant three 3.75l victory in the G3 Sky High S. in mid-March.
Not having much luck in the G1 Doncaster H., Lindermann is in the paddock in preparation for a spring campaign - one which Debbie is very much looking forward to.
“Babies is a good way to describe Debbie's horses - all who tuned into the recent Easter sales remembering when she referred to the Pierro-Winx filly as her 'granddaughter.'”
“He is a gorgeous horse,” he enthused. “Though not quite as beautiful as Lonhro!”
The best of the cerise horses - Lonhro and Octagonal
It was a simple but emotional Twitter post from Debbie when that great horse passed away last week.
“He was such a dude of a horse,” Debbie said, noting that his sire Octagonal (NZ) was similar of character.
“I think if they'd been human they would've been quite humble but also pretty cocky! They knew they were good.”
Debbie remains proud of the fan base for both horses, especially considering the eras they raced in.
“There was no social media in those days, it was just radio, newspapers and word of mouth.
“I am very proud to have been part of all that,” she said, fully appreciative of how hard it is to get horses to race such longevity at the highest level.
Gallery: Remembering legendary stallions Lonhro and Octagonal (NZ), images courtesy of Darley
“Dad had lots of high class horses, but not many of them could go on with it over a number of seasons like Lonhro and Octagonal did.”
Of course she also raced a horse who managed a career like that!
Konasana the latest group winner
Konasana (Dundeel {NZ}) is another recent success for Woppitt, the up-and-coming filly relishing the heavy conditions when racing away to an easy win in the G3 James HB Carr S. at Randwick last weekend.
A three times winner from her first eight starts, she is the third foal - and third winner - for the imported mare Posing (USA) (Medicean {GB}) who caught Debbie's eye at the 2018 Inglis Chairman's Sale.
“We had missed out on a few mares we liked and then saw this one in foal to Frankel {GB})."
Konasana | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Thinking that she would "dearly love to have a Frankel,” the hand went up and for $500,000 Posing became a member of the Woppitt broodmare band.
Excited by the arrival of a Frankel colt in September 2018, Debbie had to deal with one of the many letdowns all breeders experience when that horse was injured when just a couple of months old.
Named Phosphene, he did make it to the track, winning a Wyong maiden from his three starts.
“Konasana is another recent success for Woppitt, the up-and-coming filly relishing the heavy conditions when racing away to an easy win in the G3 James HB Carr S. at Randwick last weekend.”
Konasana is the third foal produced by Posing who is on the list to be sold on, Woppitt becoming more of a professional breeding outfit whilst still remaining boutique.
“We have only really been trading over the last few years,” Debbie said, noting that they have been selling a yearling and weanling here and there, keen to be involved in all aspects of the breeding industry - "we are doing it all!”
To that end they have also been involved in Coolmore's colt partnerships - and with good success; part-owners of the Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, the dual Group 1 winning sprinter Home Affairs and the recently retired G1 Golden Slipper winner Shinzo.
Konasana and Debbie Kepitis | Image courtesy of Ashlea Brennan
Whilst breeding is a serious business, Debbie and her family still have emotion and attachment at the core of what they do... they simply love their horses. And they love sharing the experience.
“My husband Paul and I think alike when it comes to horses and our daughters are enjoying it as well. We didn't push them into it, they are a part of it because they want to be.”
And now with the grandchildren are also showing signs of interest, it seems sure that Woppitt Bloodstock will have an enduring legacy - something no doubt Bob Ingham would've been very proud of.
The Kepitis family | Image courtesy of Inglis
Whilst Debbie enjoyed the cerise horses, it is the ones she has had her own involvement with that have given her the most satisfaction.
The special mare - Woppitt
Such as the horse their breeding venture is named after. The Listed winner Woppitt. The first horse Debbie and Paul purchased on their own, making her rather special in their memories.
“She was only small but she was a lot of fun. Unfortunately she did not do much at stud - we really tried with her but each of her foals seemed to get smaller!” Whilst not making their mark on the track, Woppitt does have a daughter doing well in another sphere - in the hands of well known eventer Tim Boland.
“Woppitt was a very special horse for us. She was a key turning point in regards to what we wanted to do as a couple.”
“Woppitt was a very special horse for us. She was a key turning point in regards to what we wanted to do as a couple.” - Debbie Kepitis
Which is, to breed nice horses and have a great time doing it.
And they are certainly doing just that, Debbie describing the thrill of cheering on a home-bred Group 1 winner being "the same adrenaline rush" as any winner.
“But once that adrenaline calms down, it is the satisfaction of breeding a winner that really kicks in, when you realise that you have been a party to bringing that horse into the world; there is a lot of emotional excitement involved with that.”