Cover image courtesy of Inglis
Leading into the 2026 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, we asked some of the industry's leading figures a new question each day. Here's how they answered.
After a long day at the races or sales, who tells the best stories?
Byron Rogers - Stable Analytics: Merrick Staunton is pretty good at the stories unless he's had a Bacardi and Coke, then he is unbearable.
Matthew Ennis - G1 Goldmine and Stallion Match: That's a dangerous one, because the best storytellers are usually also the most creative with the truth by the end of the night (especially with early drinks involved).
Adam White - Vinery Stud: Mick Malone.
Paul Moroney - Paul Moroney Bloodstock: James Bester's stories and logic are always entertaining, insightful and sometimes out of left field.
Mick Malone | Image courtesy of Inglis
Sheamus Mills - Sheamus Mills Bloodstock: Juzzy Bahen is always good for a story.
Dave Mee - Pinhook Bloodstock International: There are some very good raconteurs out there.... James Bester is right up there. Cam Bennett from Flying Start Syndications has some very good ones on repeat dial from the Brisbane racing scene and Sam Hayes gets a worthy mention, with or without the GST!
Albert Bosma - Go Racing: Donncha McCarthy.
Craig 'Boomer' Rounsefell - Boomer Bloodstock: Mr Hancock from Stone Farm.
Alison Hush - Davali Thoroughbreds: The owners who didn't win tell the best stories at the end of race day. How their horse was beaten by the barrier, the jockey or any bad luck going around and it should have won.
Also owners at the end of sale day. My horse should have made more money because I bred it!
Sean Driver - Kurrinda Bloodstock: Hopefully no one, as it is time for a vodka by then.
Suman Hedge - Suman Hedge Bloodstock: I worked quite closely with John Sadler at Caulfield for a few years. John is a real character, very funny and tells a good story as well as being a great horseman.
Jimmy Unwala - Avesta Bloodstock: The 'supposed' underbidders are the best. They have apparently been underbidders on all those champions but never owned or bought one!
Will Larkin - Malua Racing: Sheamus Mills, Dean Harvey, and Troy Corstens together always provides some laughs.
Scott Darby - Darby Racing: Hubie De Burgh tells the best stories - Legend.
Hubie De Burgh | Image courtesy of De Burgh Equine
Jason Micallef - Monarch Racing Syndications: Paul Moroney or Catheryne Bruggeman after a few red wines.
Peter O’Brien - Segenhoe Stud: Paddy Oman.
Will Johnson - William Johnson Bloodstock: Julian Blaxland - his impersonations are hilarious.
Manny Gelagotis - Gelagotis Racing: After the races the best stories are based on results because after the wins the stories flow nice and fast based on the result and winnings.
James Bester | Image courtesy of The Image Is Everything
After yearling sales I've always enjoyed talking and listening to James Bester - we reminisce a lot in the good horses we have bought especially Levendi winning the Australian Derby which was a clean up.
