Cover image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbreds
1. Best value stallion in the country?
Harry Angel.
Harry Angel (Ire) | Standing at Darley
2. Most exciting new stallion for 2025?
Switzerland.
Switzerland | Standing at Coolmore Stud
3. Breeding more, less, or the same as last year?
About the same number as last year.
4. Best breeder in the country?
Two answers to that.
First, among the big operations Peter O’Brien and Bryan Carlson set the standard without a doubt.
Gallery: Best breeders in the country for Andrew Ferguson
Secondly, the breeders doing it on tight budgets for a living off the land, they’re the real craftsmen of the game. Goodwood Farm and Redbank North punch well above their weight.
5. Best judge of a weanling/yearling?
John Foote, Paul Willetts and Dean Hawthorne.
Gallery: Best judge of a weanling and yearling for Anderson Ferguson
6. Best pound-for-pound trainer?
Anthony Freedman.
Anthony Freedman | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
7. Most talented young person you’ve come across recently?
Angus Roberston.
Angus Roberston | Image courtesy of Godolphin Flying Start
8. Redistribute prizemoney across races, or happy as is?
The current structure is too top heavy. To keep participants engaged, everyone needs a fair chance of some sort of return. $50,000 maiden races would be a good starting point.
9. Tariff on imported horses - great idea or misguided protectionism?
Above my pay grade!.
10. Your best mate in the business?
My boys, James and Jock
James, Andrew and Jock Ferguson | Image courtesy of Bell River Thoroughbred
