News

Quick Questions - Adam Sangster

22nd Mar 2009

Stallions - Graeme Kelly - Sunday, 22nd March 2009

The late Robert Sangster was in the late 1970s and early 1980s one of the prime movers behind the internationalisation of the world of racing. His son Adam, who is now a naturalised Australian, is continuing the family name and tradition through his Swettenham Stud in Victoria.

Stallions, Graeme Kelly, spoke to Adam about the future of the stud and other matters.

Q.: Last year Swettenham Stud had a change of direction when you sold broodmares and young stock. Has everything gone according to plan since.

A.: I would have to say I was a touch disappointed at the way the 2008 season finished off. We restricted the books going to the stallions to increase their appeal but the numbers just dropped away at the end, so we did not reach what we felt were conservative targets. Generally Victorian breeders seemed to be feeling the effects of the equine influenza epidemic (remembering they got no compensation); the lack of September and October rain really dried up people’s confidence; while the economic cash crisis was starting to hit and be talked about more and more, with the result that breeders opted to be very conservative and not serve later foaling mares across the board.

Q.: Do you intend to add to the Swettenham Stud stallion roster in the near future

A.: Yes we will be adding Kaphero to complement a very balanced stallion line-up. A son of Golden Slipper winner Danzero from the Group 1-winning mare Kapchat he was bred and sold by Swettenham at the Gold Coast Magic Millions. He was purchased because he fills the criteria we are after. He is a well conformed, beautifully muscled stallion with quality bone and a powerful backend. He was a speed horse, who as a two-year-old won three races including a Blue Diamond Preview and S.A. Magic Millions before leading the Golden Slipper field until well into the straight. His losing time was still the equal of Marauding and Marscay. Even more importantly has been the display of resilience he has shown by returning to be a Group 1-placed winner of a further seven metropolitan sprints.

Q.: You are obviously looking in a specific direction when seeking stallions

A.: Yes. We are after really good types of stallions with speed and a pedigree. In the back of my mind is the need to keep a lookout for a stallion with Group 1 performances that may just add some depth to the roster by providing a stallion with a leaning to middle distance and staying races. In that case the stallion will need to be well bred and to have shown a good finishing sprint in his races.

Q.: How are your broodmare numbers shaping up

A.: I have been developing the broodmare band slowly and have taken advantage of buying some mares in the U.S., when the Australian dollar was most favourable. In Australia I picked up three mares from the family dispersal with a strategic partner and purchased Hidden Energy, who is a half-sister to Kaphero, as a breeding proposition.

Q.: Could you name the most valuable of your broodmares

A.: Hard question. Maybe of most interest are five of the mares I have in-foal to Soldier’s Tale. These are Subtle Breeze, a Storm Cat sister to Irish Derby and Epsom Oaks winner Ballanchine, Anna Dana, who is a stakes-placed Chester House mare from a Danzig half-sister to Street Cry, Leica Smile, a Group 1 winner by At Talaq from Leica Western, Kensington Gardens, who is the dam of Blackfriars, Larrocha, Manton and son on, and Great Tradition, who is a daughter of Kensington Gardens.

Q.: How is the racing side Swettenham Stud progressing

A.: Adam Sangster Bloodstock is building its racing team slowly and strategically. We race in Australia in the traditonal Swettenham colours.

Q.: What are the most promising of your racehorses

A.: Tigresque, Hidden Energy (who finished runner-up in the Group I Robert Sangster stakes at Morphettville on Saturday) and Speech Room.

Q.: You have been a driving force behind the promotion of the north-east of Victoria as thoroughbred country. How is that progressing.

A.: With Bob Scarborough as chairman and stakeholder principals acting with Regional Development of Victoria the north-east corridor continues to flourish.

Q.: What objectives do you have in mind for the north-east.

A.: The equine annual economic benefit across the five shires was $675 million last year, with 4,732 people employed in the associated equine businesses. We recently conducted our second size and scope study of the north-east and with that in hand the continuing objective is further growth and stability.

Q.: How have you coped with the long dry spell.

A.: We have coped very well. This year we received the most accolades ever from mare owners on the condition of their mares, returning after the season. In the last six years we have spent a lot on pasture management and we are reaping the benefits of that now. With our yearling sales almost complete, the property is not under any pressure at the moment. Also it is worth noting we have 900 acres with 3.5km of Goulburn River frontage and barely 80 horses on the property in the off season, so it gets a great opportunity to rebound.

Q.: How valuable is the contribution you receive from marketing manager Ian Rimington.

A.: Ian has brought with him some very specific strengths that complement the total management team. Together with chairman David Coles and stud manager Alan Morton plus a very pro-active accountant in Adam Kirkwood-Scott I have a strong board around me, which I lean on considerably. The recent board minutes passed the proposals for fees and procedures for the stud in the 2009 season and they are an excellent example of the talent I have on the board. An announcement will be made soon and breeders can look forward to this information as it will be revolutionary in many respects.

Q.: How is your young family coming along.

A.: Thankfully everyone is healthy and we are all enjoying the fruits of living at the stud.

Q.: Do you have any time for activities outside the thoroughbred industry.

A.: Yes. However, I am particularly looking forward to my May-and-June trip back to Manton in the U.K. to be with my brothers and sister and their families.