“What are you doing? She’s your favourite mare”: Kate Nivison on fate, family, and the special $1.7m colt

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Kate Nivison has a deep affiliation with the industry; her family has had a lot of success, and outstanding horses have surrounded her throughout her life. She is also proud of what she has achieved under her name, and she won't rest easy until she has fulfilled her goals as an owner and breeder.

Racing in her blood

The phrase 'bred into the racing game' can often feel like a cliché — but for Kate Nivison, it couldn't be more fitting. With deep racing roots on both sides of her family, her involvement in the sport seems that it was not just likely, but inevitable. Racing has been a lifelong passion, fostered from an early age through a rich lineage of both family participation and success.

The Nivison name is synonymous with excellence in both breeding and racing. The family has been behind a string of notable performers including Tar Girl (Damtar {Fr}) and At Sea (Aurealis), while also contributing significantly to New South Wales racing administration.

Kate’s maternal lineage is just as steeped in racing prestige. Her family were responsible for breeding and racing some of Australia’s most iconic names, such as Dark Jewel (Star Kingdom {Ire}), Baguette, Whisked (Whiskey Road {USA}) and Vionnet (Prego {Ire}).

Her mother, Jill, bred 1984 G1 Golden Slipper Stakes winner Inspired (Vain), and her success continued with horses like Tie the Knot (Nassipour {USA}), Spinning Hill (Dolphin Street {Fr}) and Fashion News (Snippets), the latter bred and raced in partnership with her brother, Sandy Tait.

“My grandfather was on the inaugural board of the TAB, so we have always been in racing on that side of the family,” Nivison said. “They wanted to knight him, but he wasn’t interested in that.

“The main thing that mattered to him was the AJC (Australian Jockey Club), as they were known then, and the members. My Dad and my brother were also presidents of the Jockey Club — they have always been involved in racing administration.

“My mum’s side — obviously (there's) Daisy and Griff Tait, who bought Dark Jewel, and Oui Oui Oui, our latest winner, goes back to her.”

When asked whether the sales process came naturally to her, Nivison admitted, “we were always breeding to race, so when I first went to the sales, I didn’t really look at horses like a salesperson would; you just watched them move and stuff like that.

“I remember Colm Santry wanted a mare and I was with him, I said to him, ‘It’s too short’, and he said, ‘For f**k’s sake, Katie, you’ll get eaten alive using terminology like that'!

“I just didn’t know any better. We didn’t go around the paddock talking about off-set knees and scope, and length of rein and stuff like that — we were more like, that horse is nice, it can go to the breaker in two years.”

Built by experience, guided by mentors

Nivison is the first to admit she doesn’t always get it right. Whether it’s picking the wrong stallion, taking the wrong turn, or heading off on what others might see as a tangent, she’s open about her journey being far from linear.

But when asked about the people who’ve helped shape her path in the racing and breeding industry, she doesn’t hesitate. With deep appreciation, she reflects on the mentors who’ve had a lasting impact — both professionally and personally.

“Tim Martin, an incredible horseman, Vin Cox, Phil Wells, Garry Cuddy — I have been really lucky. (I've had) some wonderful friends as well as mentors, and Jason Attard is an incredible horseman.

“Guy Walter was a wonderful mentor, he would tell me something and it would take me a while to figure it out, talking in parables. I have always believed that the greatest gift anyone can give you is their time, and he did that.”

Trial and error has been the other major shaper of Nivison's career.

“You have to make mistakes to learn. I have gone off on tangents, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t, but it’s getting harder and harder for a small breeder to do that, as you can’t get them into a sale.

“The market has changed so much due to syndication — that part that can be shady at times, no one wants to talk about it, and you have to breed a horse commercially, which is something I am reluctant to do sometimes and don’t believe in.

“But you have to adapt. That’s where my mentors have played a huge part in my success.”

Despite the evolving nature of the industry and its growing commercial pressures, Nivison remains focused on producing quality horses and staying true to her values.

“A good horse will sell, but it’s getting harder and harder, especially for the smaller breeders.”

Standing on her own

Nivison has always been proud of her family’s deep roots in racing and breeding, but when it came time to carve out her own path, she has done it with a personal twist.

“I set up Etak Thoroughbreds — which is Kate backwards. I did it because of Oprah and Harpo, and she’s pretty successful.

“The brand… all my friends call me Princess and it’s a bit of a joke.”

Etak quickly became more than just a name. With bright pink and orange colours, the brand reflects her individuality and determination to forge her own identity in a tradition-rich industry.

“I selected pink and orange as my colours, because I wanted to stand on my own. I’m very proud of my family’s involvement in racing and breeding, but I wanted to be on my own.

“All I really want to achieve is to breed good racehorses.”

While she’s experienced the highs of racing through her family’s success, there’s something uniquely fulfilling about chasing that success under her own name.

“I’ve been up the top with Mum and Sandy, but they haven’t been my horse. I really am committed to reach those scales under my own name."

When the stars align

When a share in Extreme Choice was purchased for $200,000 at the 2021 Inglis Chairman’s Sale by Mitchell Bloodstock Pty Ltd on behalf of Nivison — and, shortly after, the same agent duo of Bill and James secured Nivison a Medaglia D’Oro (USA) mare named Shadow for $140,000 from Godolphin's 2021 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale draft — the pairing seemed destined to happen.

But even with the plans in place, nobody could have predicted the incredible result they would go on to achieve.

“We had her (Shadow) picked out and I didn’t think we would be able to afford her, but we got her and I’m glad we did,” Nivison shared.

Initially, Nivison had thoughts of on-selling Shadow, entering her in the Inglis Chairman’s Sale — but fate had other plans.

“We got her and I did put her in the Chairman’s, and John Kennedy went up to me and said, ‘What are you doing? She’s your favourite mare, why are you selling her?'.

“I couldn’t find anything I liked better. I did like a General Nediym mare of Debbie Kepitis’, but she went for more money than I was confident spending.

“I passed her in, and the rest is history. I said recently to John, ‘I have to thank you.’ He replied, ‘I forgot about that'.”

From that point, things began to unfold in remarkable fashion. The Extreme Choice colt she bred from Shadow blossomed into a stunning yearling, and the Coolmore’s team were instrumental in that development.

“He was a beautiful colt — he wasn’t as a weanling, but he just blossomed. I can’t thank Niall Power, (Coolmore's) current broodmare manager, and the team on the farm at Coolmore enough.

“The stars aligned for me selling the colt.”

The colt sold for a jaw-dropping $1.7 million - and while that might seem like the fairytale ending, the story didn’t stop there. The full sister a year earlier was sold for $400,000 and is already showing promise under the care of Michael Freedman as Apocalyptic (Extreme Choice); she ran a great second behind the talented Gallo Nero (Wootton Bassett {GB}) on debut late last year.

“I really loved her — she’s a powerful sprinter type,” Nivison said. “Michael Freedman bought her and I bought back in, and Dean Fleming bought 5 per cent for his wife, we are having a bit of fun.

“Michael is a really good trainer. She’ll be back for the spring after placing on debut and then having a little issue.

“With the colt, I’m staying in for 10 per cent with Ricky Surace, and I know the colt is going to Chris Waller.”

Nivison was quietly obsessed with the colt.

“I just couldn’t stop looking at him. I sat in the Coolmore marquee in the corner with my cap on and watched him all day — I was mesmerised.

“‘You have bred a beautiful athlete', a lot of people told me. I cry whether I sell them or don’t — horses seem to bring out the worst of my emotions no matter what.

“Coolmore are pretty good — they know how to manage me,” she laughingly mentioned. “I don’t normally like being the centre of attention, but I was just so overwhelmed.

“I didn’t think they would use the (Mic'd Up) video!”

Looking ahead, Shadow is in foal to Pierro — a mating Nivison is excited about.

“I love that line and would love a filly, I think she (Shadow) matches well with him. Love a bit of Eight Carat in there.”

Even now, the scale of the achievement still feels surreal.

“I never thought that someone like me could produce a $1.7 million yearling off a mare that we bought for $140,000. And to think I nearly sold her.

“I don’t even know what I was thinking that day — and when John said, ‘what are you thinking?’, he was right.”

Perhaps it was destiny — inspired by a childhood love of one of Australia's greatest mares.

“Emancipation was my favourite horse growing up and she's the fourth dam of Shadow.

“I still have the keyring I purchased when at the Slipper one year with my family. I got Emancipation and my brother got Sir Dapper. It was great racing back then.”

Chasing that Slipper high

Regarding ambition in the thoroughbred world, Kate Nivison is crystal clear about her ultimate goal; to breed and race a Golden Slipper winner. Despite having already been exposed to elite-level success through her family's extensive racing achievements, it's the Slipper that burns brightest in her sights.

“I want to own and breed a Golden Slipper winner,” she said. “I have been around a lot of good horses. My uncle Sandy and my mum raced Tie The Knot, who I named. He came along just after my dad died suddenly. We had Spinning Hill, Fashion News - he was always my favourite, he would just be out in front - and Cheverny.”

Nivison has no illusions about the scale of the challenge, but her determination is unwavering.

“I breed racehorses. I need to win a Slipper. My mum and uncle and my grandparents have had success (already).”

There is already Slipper history in her bloodline, with a powerful family story behind their 1984 victory.

“We won a Slipper with Inspired. He had a bone taken out by a surgeon — Norm League, I think it was — eight days before the Slipper, and he won the Slipper. They were tough back then.”

The tale only gets richer, linking family, romance, and legacy in a uniquely Australian way.

“He was out of a Todman mare. My dad had gifted the dam to my mum as a wedding present. Todman was at Widden. I remember dad driving home after winning the Slipper to shear sheep with my grandfather.”

She smiles, recalling the family celebration in true Sydney style.

“Sandy, Kathy, and mum took us all to the Easter Show and (we) celebrated there.”

For Nivison, the dream is personal. It's about legacy, honouring history, and carrying forward a passion that has been passed down through generations.

“I have to breed a Slipper winner. I want to breed it and follow in the likes of Baguette and Inspired.”

Oui Oui Oui – Yes Yes Yes

After the high of recent sales success, Nivison enjoyed a different kind of thrill — this time as a winning owner at Kembla Grange.

Trained by Jason Attard and Lucy Keegan-Attard, the cleverly named 3-year-old filly Oui Oui Oui (Yes Yes Yes) broke through for her first win in impressive fashion. Bred by Nivison and passed in shy of her $150,000 reserve at the 2023 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale, she was retained to race in partnership with close friends, the Watsons — and she delivered in style.

Having finished fourth on debut at Kembla Grange behind the talented Shangri La Spring (Castelvecchio) last November, Oui Oui Oui returned first-up over 1200 metres, with a recent trial win under her belt and Tom Sherry booked to ride. Settling back in the field, she unleashed a powerful late surge, flying home to defeat Me Me (Showtime) by a long neck.

“I watched the race at Jo’s (Jo Watson, the co-owner) house and we sacked Tommy Sherry at the start, at the 600, and at the 200 before cheering her home and celebrating!

“I just want to have fun with my friends, otherwise it’s not enjoyable. Racing should be fun when you breed your own, and it’s more fun when you do it with friends.

“We knew she (Oui Oui Oui) had talent; she ran a good fourth on debut, on Tuesday she was fantastic.

“After the race, Oui Oui Oui wouldn’t go wee wee wee in the swab box, and they had to do a blood test. She is in immaculate health, she is just glowing from within, she is a happy horse.”

When asked about potential plans for the exciting filly; “She may go to the Dark Jewel next or a race at the stand alone Hawkesbury meeting. Jas (Jason Attard) will work it out, or I will send suggestions, but he will do his own thing — rightfully so, as he trains the horse.”

Oui Oui Oui is the fourth winner from five foals to race from Buon Auspicio, a metropolitan-winning daughter of Bernardini (USA). She hails from one of the great old female families that has been carefully nurtured and developed by the Nivison family for generations.

The deep tail-female line stretches back to the legendary blue hen Dark Jewel (Star Kingdom {Ire}) — a foundation mare who continues to influence generations of elite performers. Maybe this filly can be the latest member of this elite and long-lasting family to leave an indelible mark on racing history.