Cover image courtesy of Dylan Johnson Bloodstock
Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding related - for 2025?
When Well Written shot clear by seven lengths to win the G2 Soliloquy Stakes, that was pretty surreal moment.
Well Written winning the G2 Soliloquy Stakes | Image courtesy of New Zealand Bloodstock
Which first-season sires are you most excited to see at the 2026 yearling sales?
I like what we have seen by Anamoe and In The Congo from Australia, and locally Profondo has created a good impression.
Gallery: First season sires Dylan Johnson is excited to see at the 2026 yearling sales
Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?
I maybe bias, but Nick Johnson! Incredibly passionate about racing, is one of the most intelligent thinkers I have ever met and has a deep desire to see our industry succeed. It’s a pretty powerful mix!
Nick Johnson | Image courtesy of New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“If it is to be it’s up to me” and “If you can’t change the people.. change the people”
What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
A more considered use of funds to maximise every dollar the industry has at its discretion, along with a continued upgrade of on-course facilities to deliver a world-class entertainment experience for both new and existing fans on race day.
Swap jobs with anyone, who, and what would you do?
Stephen Marsh and I’d listen to Dylan Johnson more often! Haha. Seriously, any top 10 professional golfer would be the dream job.
What’s been the most challenging moment in your career, and how did it shape you?
At the time starting out on my own as a bloodstock consultant and telling Stephen Marsh what grand plans I had didn’t seem that challenging! On reflection it was borderline madness, but naivety won out and it was the best decision I have ever made.
Is there a particular horse you think about often? Why?
Seachange. She raced in an era when I really started to fall in love with racing. The 2006 Stonebridge Stakes is some race, and any dinner party at mine will invariably end with that on the TV - volume up.
Seachange | Image courtesy of Sportpix
What has been your favourite day at a racecourse?
Champions day 2025, It was NZ’s biggest race day ever, the NZB Kiwi created a huge impression and it was a day where we won two Group 1 races.
If you could change one thing about the perception of horse racing, what would it be?
That our athletes, equine and human, aren’t elite sports people and coaches. This would go a long way to secure our position as a mainstream sport which I think is hugely important.
