We caught up with both James O'Brien and Peter Murray to find out what the future has in store for TBV.
“I am honoured to take on the role of president and to continue the incredible work done by James (O'Brien),” Peter Murray said, describing Victoria as “a world-class breeding destination.”
“I am honoured to take on the role of president and to continue the incredible work done by James (O'Brien).” - Peter Murray
“I look forward to working closely with our members and industry participants,” he said, adding that “our focus will remain on promoting the Victorian breeding industry, supporting breeders, and collaborating with the stakeholders.”
James O'Brien remains a member of the TBV committee, happy that during his time as president there was growth in investment, increased race day success by Victorian bred horses and the expansion of VOBIS.
“I thoroughly enjoyed my time with TBV in the presidential capacity and in developing the association’s relationship with key industry stakeholders,” O'Brien said.
James O'Brien | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
“I look forward to continuing my service to the Victorian breeding industry as a member of the TBV committee.”
An exceptional choice
“Peter Murray is an exceptional choice to lead TBV into the future, his experience and vision will undoubtedly strengthen the Victorian breeding industry,” O'Brien said.
“Peter Murray is an exceptional choice to lead TBV into the future, his experience and vision will undoubtedly strengthen the Victorian breeding industry.” - James O'Brien
Murray joined the TBV board in June, his experience in the business world (founder of the popular clothing brand Blazer) coupled with his love of the thoroughbred placing him in good stead.
Murray first headed to the races as a 10-year-old, remembering that “my father's sister lived in Caulfield and that's where we'd all get together. My father liked to spend his birthday at the Boxing Day meeting and once he took me my interest grew.”
Murray's father was Rear Admiral Sir Brian Stewart Murray, KCMG, AO; the Governor Of Victoria, a man who liked his racing and who, having established a winery at Murrumbateman, became neighbours (well just down the road) to Hardwicke Stud.
Peter Murray | Image courtesy of Thoroughbred Breeders Victoria
And so, a friendship with Tony Freedman ensued, Sir Brian helpful in the early career of Tony's son Lee in getting him stables at Flemington.
Little wonder then that Peter Murray ended up being so interested in racing and it seemed inevitable that a venture into ownership would ensue, especially as the family had already enjoyed big race success; Murray's uncle cheering home the 1982 G1 Goodwood H. winner Heavenly Time (Star Of Heaven).
Beginner's luck
It was a case of beginner's luck for Murray who took a small share in a Barathea (Ire) filly purchased by Danny O'Brien for $70,000 at the 1998 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale; that filly racing as Porto Roca winning her first start at Kilmore enroute to a successful career that saw her win another four races including the G1 Coolmore Classic at Rosehill and the G3 Winter S. at Eagle Farm.
Porto Roca after winning the G1 Coolmore Classic in 2001 | Image courtesy of Sportpix
Subsequently sold to Darley, she produced four foals in Australia. Two of those were fillies, both of whom went on to produce stakes winners; Seven Stars (King's Best {USA}) dam of the G2 Expressway S. winner Happy Galaxy (Nadeem) and Fiorentina (Dubai Destination {USA}), dam of the G1 William Reid S. winner Silent Sedition (War Chant {USA}).
It was overseas where Porta Roca was able to produce her best, her high-class son Monterosso (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) winning seven of his 17 starts including the 2012 G1 Dubai World Cup.
Murray also raced the O'Brien-trained Juste Momente (Giant's Causeway {USA}), the 2008 G1 Robert Sangster S. winner who sadly died from colic before going to stud.
Juste Momente | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
Such success with mares is going to spark anyone's interest in the breeding world and fast forward to 2024 and Peter Murray has expanded his thoroughbred interest to the point of having broodmares both locally (with the Liston family's Three Bridges Thoroughbreds at Eddington) and in the United States (Stone Farm).
Amongst Murray's broodmare band are a couple of nice purchases from this year's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale; Avebury (NZ) (Savabeel), winner of the Listed Canberra Guineas who is due to be served by I Am Invincible and the Group 3 and Listed placegetter Empress Of Wonder (Choisir) who will continue her racing career under the care of Anthony and Sam Freedman.
He has enjoyed success as a breeder including the dual Group-winning sprinter Star Turn (bred in partnership with Widden Stud and Danny O'Brien), the Listed Paris Lane H. winner Pure Pride (NZ) (Shocking) and the R. Listed Inglis Nursery winner El Padrino (Street Boss {USA}) as well as last season's twice Group-placed juvenile Matisse (Microphone).
Star Turn | Standing at Vinery Stud
Murray races that promising Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained filly who, having proven competitive with the best of Melbourne's 2-year-olds, broke her maiden at Doomben in late June.
And New York Hurricane (Manhattan Rain) who was in easy winning form at Morphettville on Saturday; that tough campaigner recording his sixth win from 32 starts.
Murray is also a successful seller, at this year's Inglis Great Southern Sale parting with an I Am Invincible colt and a Bivouac filly. The former, a son of the imported stakes winner Diablotine (Ire) (Kodi Bear {Ire}), sold particularly well; purchased by New Zealand's Kaha Nui Farm for $300,000. And he has a couple of yearlings going through the Keeneland ring in September.
A fantastic climate for breeding
Murray is a big fan of Victoria in regards to breeding, noting that the state “has the best racing and a fantastic climate for breeding.”
“The number of stallions has significantly increased and big farms are making substantial investments. The VOBIS program offers great incentives, making it an attractive place for breeders.
“We are striving to be the best," he said, declaring himself to be "really excited" to be part of the TBV's contribution to the local industry.
“We are striving to be the best.” - Peter Murray
“The TBV has got some great people already and the people that we work with; all the other associations, participants, stakeholders and racing clubs, they're all fantastic. We get on well, and we're all trying to improve what we can here in Victoria.
“The committee is a group of people with lots of experience in different areas so the job is to harness their collected skills and represent Victorian breeders as well as we can.
“Our aim is to keep improving on what we've already done, to do even more with VOBIS, to build bridges with other racing participants and to help small breeders, especially in these difficult times.
“Our aim is to keep improving on what we've already done, to do even more with VOBIS, to build bridges with other racing participants and to help small breeders, especially in these difficult times.” - Peter Murray
“I think if we combine with other racing groups, such as TROA, the VJA (Victorian Jockeys Association), the VTA (the Victorian Trainers Association), we will have more strength which leads to a more meaningful say in things.”
Reaching out
“We'd also like to reach out to breeding associations in other states, I think that we should be sharing our ideas for the good of the whole breeding industry."
One idea Murray is excited about is bringing smaller breeders together; in a co-operative type fashion, buying mares as a group and upgrading their bloodstock.
“There is strength in numbers,” Murray said.
“There is strength in numbers.” - Peter Murray
Murray loves the human aspect to the racing and breeding industries, grateful for the advice he has been given and the friendships he has made.
“I enjoy all the associations I have made through racing,” Murray said, happy now to be giving a bit back.
“I've been lucky enough now to have the time to devote to this position.”
