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After a spell in Asia, bloodstock agent Peter Twomey, originally from Cootamundra (NSW) relocated back to NSW to start Wattle Bloodstock in 2017. Twomey’s Wattle has already savoured early successes. The Wagga Wagga-based bloodstock agent has been surrounded with Thoroughbreds since his childhood. The 1968 Bong Bong Cup won by his grandfather Frank Twomey was a prized position for Peter from an early age.
Twomey speaks to The Impact about his late-season purchases and talks about his ambitions for his client’s horses.
Q: Could you please tell us about your plans for those horses you purchased at the Scone Yearling Sale?
A: I ended up with three colts from this year’s Scone Sale, all with different aims for three separate clients. The Bobby’s Kitten x Ocean Spray colt (Lot 202) was purchased for country NSW trainer Trevor Sutherland to race here in Australia, the Flying Artie X Zulekha colt (Lot 255) headed straight over to New Zealand where he’ll be prepared for resale at the NZB Ready to Run Sale of 2YOs in November, while my third and final buy the Vancouver X Dirty colt (Lot 292) was bought to be raced in Singapore.
Q: In the past, what has been the most successful horse you've purchased at this sale? Please tell us more?
A: My happy association with Scone goes a long way back to my time working with Inglis and racing A$12,000 Scone buy Fill The Page with colleagues. She won the Listed Canberra Cup and over A$200,000 giving us plenty of joy. We sold her at the end of her breeding to Edinburgh Park Stud where she’s produced Group 3 winner Fun Fact and been a good money-spinner in the ring with her progeny.
Buying at Inglis Sales has also been successful for Wattle Bloodstock with the best horse currently BOLD THRUSTER. I purchased him for my good client the Tivic Stable (Singapore) out of Book 2 at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale for AA$82,000 and he’s already won over SA$800,000 and five times at stakes level as arguably the best sprinter in Singapore in 2020.
Q: What was your experience like with digital sales programs this year? How many other sales have you bought this year?
A: The number of thoroughbred auctions has certainly increased with the advent of online sales, so finding sufficient time between sales to study and research the pedigrees and form lines has been a challenge. Physical auctions, online auctions or digital auctions, I’ve participated in all of them this year. I’ve found being prepared and flexible the key to finding suitable opportunities in all segments of the bloodstock market in 2020.
Q: As a top bloodstock agent, what do you look for when you buy horses? How do you shortlist the horses you are looking at buying? Typically how many horses do you buy in a year? Do you have a price range you don't exceed - come what may? What sales are a 'must-attend' for you every year?
A: I take slightly different approaches when buying a yearling to race compared to a broodmare for commercial breeding, but an overall conformation, pedigree and attitude are the three cornerstones I’m looking for.
Having lived in Asia and worked in that market for over 10 years now I have a solid base of knowledge of what sorts of horses do and don’t work in the tough racing jurisdictions of Hong Kong and Singapore, so heading into a yearling sale I have a good idea what I’m looking for. Usually, I shortlist by pedigree first, physical attributes, behavioural aspects and the like before getting my vet’s opinion. I’ve compiled a lot of data and knowledge on Sires, nicks, dam race records and the like that allows me to spend more valuable time on looking at a targeted group of yearlings in a sale, rather than rushing through the whole catalogue.
Wattle Bloodstock secured 12 yearlings for A$1,700,000 this year for a range of clients. Individual budgets depend a lot on the aims of the client and their appetite for risk. It’s a challenge to find the horses to match the individual demands, but one that I relish and enjoy.
The Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January and Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in April are the Top two must-attend events of the year down here in Australia. All the top breeders want their stock in those sales and year after year they unearth the racetrack stars of the future like Winx, Sunlight, Zoustar, Pierro, All Too Hard, Fastnet Rock etc.
Q: What is on your bucket list for Wattle Bloodstock over the next decade?
A: The list of races I’d love clients to win with Wattle Bloodstock purchases is pretty long, and getting longer; The Everest, WS Cox Plate, Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Golden Slipper, Caulfield Guineas, VRC Oaks, Hong Kong Derby, Singapore Gold Cup.
At the top of the list is to buy a horse good enough to travel the world at the highest level. Money can’t buy experience.
Q: Name your most favourite horse and why?
A: The racehorse that captured my imagination and love for racing from a young age was Shogun Lodge. He had it all; class, character and longevity, winning 13 times from 58 starts. He won the Canonbury Stakes on debut in October of his 2YO year then raced at the top level all the way to 7YO, claiming three Group 1s and over AA$4.5m. He’s my most favourite horse.
That said Bold Thruster is catching him like the rocket he is!!!