Cover image courtesy of Inglis
Enjoying a long and successful career, one which kicked off not with thoroughbreds but with Dalgety in South Australia, selling livestock before a day in Perth in 1975 auctioneering standardbreds which he admitted to knowing very little about!
Freelancing (in one year auctioneering at every major sale in the country) until becoming a full time Inglis employee, Peter was the one with the gavel when Black Caviar (Bel Esprit) made her way through the Oaklands Junction ring in 2008.
A moment in which he made the fortuitous statement “just think what she will be worth when she wins a Group 1.”
“Just think what she (Black Caviar) will be worth when she wins a Group 1.” - Peter Heagney
What advice would you give to a 20-year-old just starting out in racing today?
“I am a great believer in gaining practical experience and learning from experienced people. There have been occasions where senior racing and bloodstock roles have been taken by people without that but I really think than when starting out it is a great help to a career to have that background of hands-on work with horses.”
Are there any figures in the racing industry who you feel deserve more recognition for their contribution?
“Historically it has been the case that those behind the scenes - the stud and stable workers - have not gained much serious recognition but it has been great to see this change in recent years. With the Godolphin awards - which are one of several of that sort of thing - those who were previously overlooked and being awarded for their contribution.
Godolphin's Stud and Stable Staff awards
“Unquestionably this is an area which is improving, even with the small things like prizes for the best presented horses at the races.”
What has been the biggest obstacle you have faced in the bloodstock world?
“Convincing people who are new to racing and breeding to take advice from the people with experience. I have seen so many people who have been successful in their own business launch into racing thinking it will work out just as well which is so often not the case.
“The same people who would put so much due diligence into everything they do in the business world don't do the same when they get into racing - it is weird!
“Of course there have been plenty who have been successful but there are probably even more who have not been which is a shame as when it doesn't work, sadly we lose them to racing.”
Can you share a story that had a lasting impact on you?
“I have been so lucky, I enjoyed every single minute of my work, I got to meet amazing people and travel to places I would never have got to otherwise.
Peter Heagney | Image courtesy of Inglis
“There have been so many highlights but there are three that stand out.
“The first time I was asked to sell at Easter, the first time I was asked to open the Easter sale and selling at Tattersalls at Newmarket.
“They are the three moments I treasure the most, though I also got to auction in China and Malaysia - and visiting Keeneland was another highlight.
“I am very appreciative of everything that I have been able to do.
“I am very appreciative of everything that I have been able to do.” - Peter Heagney
Peter visited Tattersalls at Newmarket last year - catching up with friends made over the years, laughing as he recalls heading away from the offices and out into the grounds and ‘getting quite emotional!’.
“There is such a great sense of history there.”
What person influenced your career the most?
“Initially my father - due to his great horsemanship skills and his work ethic.”
Peter is of course referring to the legendary Victorian born South Australian trainer Grahame Heagney, the Australia Racing Hall Of Fame member who prepared such wonderful gallopers as Tobin Bronze and Proud Miss (Orgoglio {GB}).
He also boasts G1 Melbourne Cup history - taking out the 1963 running with Gatum Gatum (Star Of Baroda {GB}) whilst preparing the 1968 and 1969 winner Rain Lover for his 1968 G1 Adelaide Cup win, handing the reins over to his foreman Mick Robins in order to travel to America with Tobin Bronze.
Grahame Heagney
It is another Hall Of Fame member who Peter is keen to acknowledge, David Coles OAM a major influence in his working life.
“To this day he is the person I revere most as a bloodstock auctioneer.
“He was an astute business man who knew his business so well and he led by example - he would never expect anyone to do anything he would not do himself.”
Such as, Peter recalls, filling up the back of the ute with food at the end of the day at the Adelaide sales - driving around to feed all the horses who had remained overnight.
“To this day he (David Coles OAM) is the person I revere most as a bloodstock auctioneer.” - Peter Heagney
“He did however have that worked out,” Peter laughed - “he'd be with us for the first half then he'd get an important phone call that he had to take!
“But he was always there, it was the same sitting in the office late at night working on pedigrees. Everyone had great respect for him and he was a wonderful mentor to so many.
Peter has fond memories of the pedigree work - “if you needed to know something, you had to research it manually and the knowledge became embedded in you. Now that information is just so easy to find, which is great, but there was something about that research that made it stick in your mind.”
