Cover image courtesy of Inglis
The Inglis Internship has helped launch the careers of several successful industry participants, including James Price, Will Gardner, Peter Twomey and James Mitchell. For Perth-born and bred Tom Johnston, he is hoping his appointment can be the springbaoard to a life within the industry.
With a passion for racing that began long before he had any formal involvement in the industry, Johnston arrives with a clear idea of where his interests lie, but an appreciation that there is still plenty to learn. From working alongside Perth trainer Michael Lane to spotting bids at sales in Western Australia and on the Gold Coast, he has already gained an introduction to several sides of the industry.
Now, with the backing of mentors and the opportunity to work across the Inglis organisation, he is taking the next step towards a long-term career in racing.
Tom Johnston with James Price and Nicky Wong | Image courtesy of Inglis
An opportunity to learn from the best
The Inglis Internship is designed to provide an in-depth understanding of the racing and breeding industries, with the successful candidate spending time across the major divisions of the business.
Predominantly focused on bloodstock, the 12-month programme also offers exposure to marketing, Inglis Digital and Inglis Rural Property, with opportunities to work across the Sydney and Melbourne offices.
It is a broad introduction to an industry where relationships, commercial understanding and an eye for a horse can all play an important role in shaping a career.
For Johnston, he is keen to build on his practical knowledge while understanding how the different parts of the business connect, from the early stages of preparing a catalogue through to delivering a successful sale.
A passion that started early
Johnston's interest in racing began early, despite having no family connection to the industry. Growing up in Perth, he was hooked after watching the Melbourne Cup as a young boy, and by his early teens, he knew he wanted to turn that interest into something more.
“I’ve had a strong passion for thoroughbred racing for as long as I can remember and over time it has grown into a real desire to build a career in the industry. I couldn’t tell you exactly where it came from. My family has no connection to racing at all but something about watching the Melbourne Cup on TV as a 6-year-old had me hooked.
“From my early teens I knew I wanted to be involved in the industry in some way. Through a friend, I was introduced to trainer Michael Lane in Perth, where I grew up, and over the past few years I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside him, helping with yearling selection and with managing the programs of a few horses in the stable.
Michael Lane | Image courtesy of Michael Lane Racing
“At the same time, I worked as a bid spotter at sales in Perth and on the Gold Coast. I loved it, because it gave me a small look behind the curtain of the sales world.”
“I worked as a bid spotter at sales in Perth and on the Gold Coast. I loved it, because it gave me a small look behind the curtain of the sales world.” - Tom Johnston
His time with Lane provided a practical introduction to the industry, allowing him to assist with yearling selection and gain experience helping manage horses within the stable. Working as a bid spotter added another dimension, giving him a close-up view of the auction process and the activity that takes place around the sales ring.
Those experiences have helped build a foundation, but they have also reinforced how much there is to learn. For Johnston, the appeal lies partly in that ongoing challenge: every horse presents a different set of considerations, and experience is built through observation, discussion and making decisions over time.
Taking the next step from Perth
Securing the internship was an exciting moment for Johnston, particularly given Inglis' reputation and the opportunity to work alongside people who have spent years developing their knowledge of the industry.
It also meant making the move from Perth to the east coast, a significant step that he was more than happy to take in pursuit of his ambitions. Mentor and friend Grant Burns encouraged him to apply, helping give him the confidence to put himself forward for the role.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I’d been successful for the Inglis Intern role. It’s an opportunity I’ve been really excited about, particularly given the reputation of Inglis and the opportunities the internship provides.
“I was absolutely thrilled when I found out I’d been successful for the Inglis Intern role.” - Tom Johnston
“One of the biggest reasons I applied was the chance to gain experience across different areas of the business and develop a broader understanding of the bloodstock industry. I’ve been lucky enough to call Grant Burns a mentor and friend, and he really encouraged me to give it a crack and throw my hat in the ring. Obviously being from Perth, it was a big move over to the east coast but one I’m so glad I’ve taken.
Grant Burns | Image courtesy of Federation of Bloodstock Agents Australia
“I’ve been fortunate to gain some valuable experience through my involvement with Michael Lane, but I also recognise there’s still an enormous amount to learn. The opportunity to work alongside industry professionals, build relationships and continue developing my knowledge was something that really appealed to me.
“Ultimately, I see the internship as a fantastic opportunity to establish a strong foundation for a long-term career in the industry.”
“Ultimately, I see the internship as a fantastic opportunity to establish a strong foundation for a long-term career in the industry.” - Tom Johnston
Getting a feel for the Inglis operation
Johnston has already had an initial taste of life at Inglis, spending time with the team during the Ready2Race sale. Having previously experienced sales from a bloodstock and bid-spotting perspective, it was an opportunity to see the operation from the auction company's side.
“My first experience with Inglis during the Ready2Race sale was extremely positive. It was great to see the level of organisation and professionalism that goes into running a major bloodstock sale, particularly the amount of work that happens behind the scenes.
"To be able to be a very minor part of that for the first time was really exciting and something I’m looking forward to heading into the yearling sales next year.
Tom Johnston | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Having previously been involved in sales from a bloodstock and bid-spotting perspective, it was interesting to experience things from the sales company’s side and gain a better appreciation of everything involved in delivering a successful sale.”
The experience offered a glimpse of the work that takes place well before buyers and horses come together in the ring. From coordinating the sale to managing the many moving parts behind the scenes, Johnston gained a better appreciation of what is required to bring the different elements together.
He is particularly keen to build on that experience during the yearling sales, where he can become more involved in inspections, catalogue preparation and the process of bringing horses to market.
The opportunity to visit farms and inspect yearlings alongside Sebastian Hutch, Chris Russell, James Price and Harry Bailey has already given him a taste of the learning available through the programme.
For someone at the beginning of his career, spending time with experienced bloodstock professionals provides an opportunity to understand not only what they look for in a horse, but how they interpret what they see and arrive at their assessments.
Developing an eye for bloodstock
Bloodstock remains a particular interest for Johnston, who enjoys the analytical side of the industry, from studying pedigrees and assessing conformation to identifying potential value in the sales ring.
“I’ve always enjoyed the analytical side of bloodstock, whether that’s studying pedigrees, assessing conformation or trying to identify value in the sales ring. Being able to develop those skills further while gaining experience across the broader business is something I’m really looking forward to.
"I see this as an opportunity to challenge myself, learn as much as possible and hopefully follow in the footsteps of some of the successful people who have come through the program.”
"I see this as an opportunity to challenge myself, learn as much as possible and hopefully follow in the footsteps of some of the successful people who have come through the program.” - Tom Johnston
The chance to learn from experienced professionals is particularly valuable in a field where there is rarely one definitive answer. Pedigree, physical attributes and movement all contribute to an assessment, but each horse must ultimately be considered on its own merits.
Understanding how experienced people weigh up those details, what they prioritise and how they reach their conclusions is an important part of developing both knowledge and judgement. It is also an opportunity to learn different approaches and refine his own eye over time.
For Johnston, the combination of practical exposure and guidance from established industry figures is a major attraction. He wants to develop his bloodstock skills while remaining open to new ideas and learning more about the wider business.
The success of former interns also provides an encouraging example of the opportunities that can follow. Will Gardner and James Price are close at hand within the Inglis team, offering a reminder of how the programme can provide a foundation for a career in bloodstock.
A competitive industry built on relationships
For all the technical knowledge involved, Johnston sees the competitive nature of racing and the relationships built along the way as central to its appeal.
“I love the competitive nature of the industry. There’s always something new to learn, and no matter how much experience you gain, you’re constantly being challenged to improve your knowledge and judgement. There’s no shortage of opinions on what a horse should look like or how it should move, but there’s rarely one right answer, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting.
“There’s no shortage of opinions on what a horse should look like or how it should move, but there’s rarely one right answer, and that’s part of what makes it so interesting.” - Tom Johnston
“The relationships you build are another big part of what makes the industry special. It’s an industry filled with passionate people and I’ve been fortunate to meet and learn from some fantastic individuals throughout my involvement. For me, racing is much more than just a job. It’s something I’m genuinely passionate about and I can’t imagine a more exciting industry to build a long-term career in.”
Johnston's early experiences have already introduced him to some of those connections, from his time with Lane and Burns to the people he has met through sales and his first days at Inglis. The internship will provide further opportunities to build those relationships while exploring the different career paths available.
For now, his focus is on making the most of the opportunity, absorbing as much knowledge as possible and developing a clearer understanding of where his interests and strengths might take him.
His fascination with racing began while watching the Melbourne Cup as a 6-year-old. Now, with practical experience behind him and a new opportunity ahead, Johnston is taking the next step towards turning that childhood passion into a career with the help of Inglis.
