News

Quick Questions - Alistair Pulford

19th Apr 2009

Stallions - Graeme Kelly - Sunday, 19 April 2009

With the takeover of the Woodlands Stud Syndicate last year, Darley Australia now has an unprecedented array of stallions on the operation’s roster. Stallions, Graeme Kelly, spoke to Darley Australia’s nominations manager Alistair Pulford about this and other matters.

Q.: How many stallions will be standing in Australia this year under the Darley banner.

A.: We should be standing close to 30, with the list from last season not altering much. Our roster will be decided by the end of this month.

Q.: Do you think around 30 is a maximum number or may Darley stand more stallions in the years to come.

A.: There is no set limit on the numbers we intend to stand. The availability of top stallion prospects is paramount and we will only stand horses we genuinely believe to be capable of making good stallions.

Q.: Which stallions will be heading Darley’s 2009 list.

A.: Exceed And Excel has pride of place at Kelvinside (Aberdeen), thanks to his tremendous season. Commands, Elusive Quality and Lonhro are right there behind him. We have moved the stallions previously at Woodlands – Lonhro, Commands and Canny Lad – to Kelvinside. At Northwood Park, in Victoria, Strategic joins Hard Spun, Reset and company. At Twin Hills in Cootamundra we will stand Octagonal, Domesday and Quest For Fame. We had the best group of first season sires last season that any stud could have wished for headed by Bernardini and Street Sense. They will again be a big focus for our clients in the coming season.

Q.: How have the stallions involved handled the moves.

A.: They have all settled into their new surroundings extremely well.

Q.: Do you have an indication of the breakdown of numbers at each of Darley’s stallion locations.

A.: There should be between 16 and 18 at Kelvinside, six to eight in Victoria and, at this stage, probably three at Cootamundra.

Q.: Has Darley, at Aberdeen, suffered from the extended dry spell which has impacted on much of Australia.

A.: We have had an amazing season. Just when it started drying off after a great spring and an early summer we received another seven inches of rain in late February. The days are becoming cooler now, we’ve had some follow up rain and the country has never looked better.

Q.: You are having an increased presence at the races these days. Do you enjoy that.

A.: I am there principally as a spectator and thoroughly enjoy barracking for our horses. We have some outstanding stallion prospects in training but I follow all our horses, naturally.

Q.: You have been developing your own property on the precincts of Darley, at Aberdeen. How is that progressing.

A.: We are lucky to own a small block next door – too big to mow, too small to stock. What we do is very much a hobby. However, we now have a lovely home, a nice garden and adequate horse facilities. There is, as we all know, always something to do.

Q.: Are you and your wife continuing your horse riding activities.

A.: I do not have a horse at present but my wife and son continue to participate. Most of Julie’s equine time these days seems to revolve around Paxton, our 11-year-old who is mad keen on Australian Stock Horses, campdrafting, polo and pretty much all other equine pursuits. I have not converted him fully to racing as yet.

Q.: How have you found living in the Scone area.

A.: Love it, especially when the country looks as good as it does at present. I spend most of my spare time mowing the lawns.

Q.: Do you have any pursuits outside the business.

A.: The horse business has always been my passion. I have only ever wanted to work in the industry. However, I take an interest in many other things – I love fishing and follow most sports. I like books, art, gardens many things. One should not become a slave to just one passion.

Q.: Is there a camaraderie among the people working on the studs in the Hunter.

A.: We have made many friends in the Hunter. We are so closely involved in the business that we share many of each other’s successes and tragedies. There is a bond between all of us up here, but at the same time there is a healthy sense of rivalry.