Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
After spending four years with Archibald Racing, from strapper and track rider through to Racing Manager, Tabitha Ridley-Thomas took an opportunity to move to Magic Millions in October as a bloodstock consultant.
At the time, Magic Millions Managing Director Barry Bowditch said, “We are delighted to welcome Tabitha to the Magic Millions team. Tabitha brings a wealth of experience, with strong industry knowledge both here in Australia and the UK. As Racing and Bloodstock Manager to Annabel and Rob, Tabitha most recently played a key role in the selection of quality horses for one of the fastest-growing stables in the country.”
Barry Bowditch | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Ridley-Thomas outlined the new role and explained how the transition has been smooth because it builds on her previous career experience. “The role entails a lot of things, but the main one is sourcing horses for catalogues, liaising with farms, as well as buyers, trainers, owners, and creating relationship in order for them to be active through Magic Millions. A lot of the job is relationship building, looking at horses, heading out to farms and inspecting horses for sales,” Ridley-Thomas said.
“You go from one sale to another and the nature of the sale is going to change based on what horses you are selling, be that yearlings, mares, weanlings, but the same processes apply heading into each sale.”
Learning the trade in a racing stable
Ridley-Thomas isn’t from a racing family, and has worked her up through different roles, from spending time on farms in the UK and Ireland to doing yearlings at Newgate Farm, then shifting to Annabel and Rob Archibald Racing. “My previous role was at Archibald Racing. I was there for four and a half years. I originally started on the ground, then became a foreman, so was working alongside the horses and doing trackwork,” Ridley-Thomas said.
“I slowly progressed into more of an office-based role. Initially I started doing all the (administration for the) pre-training horses, helping with updates, then transitioned into Racing Manager, where I oversaw the administration of every horse they had in training, what they were up to, their plans going forward, liaising with farms, pre-trainers, and so on as to what the horse’s plans were. When they were racing, I would be helping Annabel program and find races for them. The job was very hands on in terms of running the stable.”
Annabel Archibald, Rob Archibald & Tabitha Ridley-Thomas | Image courtesy of Inglis
The experience gained as Racing Manager has helped with the transition into bloodstock consultant. “It feels pretty natural. I used to talk to a lot of owners at Annabel’s when we went racing, so it feels like a smooth transition. The foundation in knowledge is the same, but the day-to-day tasks are quite different. At Annabel’s I was much more behind the scenes and helping that way but working for an auction company, it is very client facing and talking to people all the time.”
It is that background in horses, forged from a practical point of view that creates the foundation of knowledge across both roles. “The foundation of the role is quite similar in that you are still dealing with horses and owners, and trainers, so that’s helpful, and now I’ve worked for a trainer, I can see what works and what doesn’t and what people like. Now working for an auction house, you have that eye for what bloodstock works (in a stable).
“The foundation of the role is quite similar in that you are still dealing with horses and owners, and trainers, now I’ve worked for a trainer, I can see what works and what doesn’t and what people like.” - Tabitha Ridley-Thomas
“Knowing the end user brings a practical understanding of what people are trying to achieve on the racetrack. It helps when advising people when they are making decisions on what to buy, and (from the other side) to see what sale they should put their horse in.”
From Granny’s pony to the other side of the world
Before coming to Australia, Ridley-Thomas worked for the likes of Whitsbury Manor Stud and trainer Andrew Balding. “It started way back when! It was through my Granny in Ireland,” said Ridley-Thomas of her love of horses.
“She has always had horses, so I learned to ride over there, and also in Scotland. I actually learned to ride on the beach in Scotland which is pretty cool. I rode all my life, pony club, showjumping, eventing, and then when I went to university, I met a lot of friends on my course who were in racing already. I got bitten by the bug then! I became pretty obsessed, and on our course, we had a year placement, so I went out and worked on farms in the UK and Ireland.
Andrew Balding | Image courtesy of Andrew Balding
“I’ve got a lot of experience working with yearlings before I went to work for a trainer. My whole background gives me an overall exposure to the industry. I worked on stud farms in the UK and worked at Newgate when I first arrived in Australia. I’ve done yearlings, and a bit with mares, a bit of everything, a rounded experience.
“Obviously when it comes to sourcing horses, I’ve been watching race replays for a long time, and the lady who did all the form for Annabel, I’ve worked alongside her a lot, so you know the set ups of the races, the sectionals that horses should be running. It’s been easy to adapt (that knowledge) into identifying a horse with upside.”
It is this well-rounded experience that Magic Millions wanted when employing Ridley-Thomas, although a key part of her role involves relationship building, and this is a strength that comes through easily in the interview.
“Building relationships with people is something I really enjoy, getting out and talking to people.”
“Building relationships with people is something I really enjoy, getting out and talking to people.” - Tabitha Ridley-Thomas
Perfect timing with Gold Coast sale coming up
Beginning the role in October has given Ridley-Thomas time to adjust to the role, while jumping straight into on-farm yearling inspections, ahead of the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale which will see 1221 yearlings go through the ring over five days of selling.
“The timing of me starting at Magics literally couldn’t be better. Coming straight into the carnival, you get to see the business that it’s most flourishing time, and there’s a huge amount of energy around the sales,” said Ridley-Thomas.
“The timing of me starting at Magics literally couldn’t be better. Coming straight into the carnival, you get to see the business that it’s most flourishing time.” -Tabitha Ridley-Thomas
“I’m really keen to meet people and then see how it all works. I’ve been on the buying side, and it’ll be interesting to see how this side works. Meeting people and connecting with breeders and trainers, that’s what I’m most excited about.
“Going straight into it, you have a good opportunity to learn everything very quickly and build relationships from the start. It would’ve been more challenging to start in June and you have to wait half a year before the big sale. Meeting people face to face has so much merit over picking up the phone and cold calling. You get that initial connection when you meet in person, and that’s quite important.”
Tabitha Ridley-Thomas | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
A non-traditional pathway
Most people who work in racing have a racing background or go through one of the big training schemes such as the Darley Flying Start program. Ridley-Thomas’ career pathway demonstrates that there’s no one way to get into racing, and a lack of family background is no impediment.
“I’ve started out from loving racing at university, and I didn’t do any of the courses, although those look amazing. For people to see pathways (without that), I think working hard, and putting yourself into every aspect of the industry and giving yourself every opportunity is the main thing.
“The main thing I’d say to people is to build relationships and work hard. Be someone who shows an interest in things, with a willingness to learn outside your normal job. Be curious and ask questions, ask if you can do more. That’s how I progressed at Annabel’s, every time I’d ask her about stuff and do extra stuff, and I got noticed. People give you an opportunity if you are willing to work hard.”
The transition to the Gold Coast hasn’t been all smooth sailing. “Moving cities has been a challenge. I’ve been in Sydney for most of my time in Australia, and had a good foundation and friendship groups there, and taking the leap from that comfort zone to a whole brand new adventure (was challenging). However, the opportunity was much too big not do it just for that reason. Magic Millions is a pretty iconic place to come and work.
“Moving cities has been a challenge. However, the opportunity was much too big not do it just for that reason. Magic Millions is a pretty iconic place to come and work.” - Tabitha Ridley-Thomas
“I’ve been at Annabel’s since she started, and starting a new job, and learning all the roles can be daunting in the first part. It’s about finding your niche within that role where you can excel, and where I can be most effective.
“Everyone on the team has been very welcoming and helpful, it’s about carving out something that you find really interesting in that role, be that race fillies, or horses in training, and making that your thing so you can provide value.”
