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Australia’s leading bloodstock agent, Bevan Smith was one of the top purchasers at the Gold Coast National Yearling sale.
The third-generation horseman offers a technology-driven and comprehensive bloodstock services which greatly improve the chances of finding superior athletes. Although Smith’s boutique bloodstock agency is based in New Zealand he has the client’s across Australasia, Asia, Europe, and North America.
Smith chats to The Impact about his purchases which included three colts (by Teofilo, Maurice and Winning Rupert and a Not A Single Doubt filly, which was his top purchase for A$220,000.
Q: Could you please tell us about your plans for the horses you purchased recently? Where are we likely to see them?
A: These horses will race for Gillian Heinrich and be targeted for the lucrative Magic Millions Race Series.
Q: What do you look for when you buy horses? You have a very technical data-driven approach to identifying and buying horses. Could you tell us more?
A: For me, it is about trying to find horses that will give you the best chance of a good result. The more information, the better for me. I’m looking for a sound horse and one that is well proportioned. The hardest part is finding a horse with the x-factor, that horse that will not just win races but will win big races. With breeze ups, stride analysis gives a great insight into how a horse gallops and gives me greater confidence to buy. Heart scans also give a look inside a horse as to their staying potential. These things come together so we can make a more informed decision on what horses to buy.
Q: What was your experience like with digital sales programs this year?
A: In this part of the world we have had digital sales for a few years now, so it wasn’t a big jump. It was different having more horses and a greater quality of horse online, but it is the concept I was used to. The industry banned together and there was also someone to help if they had seen a horse I was interested in. I love the digital sales and think there will always be a place for them, even outside of the pandemic.
Q: What is on your bucket list for Bevan Smith Bloodstock over the next couple of years?
A: It is all about results for me. For the next couple of years, the focus will be on sourcing horses that will provide racetrack results. In the first 12 months, we have bought some nice young horses and I am excited to see the results they produce. I always want to expand and enter new markets. This year we bought in Argentina, we are currently looking at the sales in the US and I would like to get a foothold into Europe as well.
Q: What was probably the 3 key most valuable lessons you learned from Guy Mulcaster?
A: I learned a lot from Guy, it was like doing an apprenticeship. It is hard to narrow down to just three things but I will always take away with me to back my own judgment. He told me early on to have an opinion, it may not always be right but to make a stand and back myself. It applied to select horses. You may find a horse that has faults but if you can see the x-factor, the quality that outweighs its faults, to back yourself and go for it.
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Q: You are a third-generation horseman. Could you tell us a bit more about your family history?
A: My grandfather was a trainer in the 60s & 70s in NZ and had a few good horses. He passed that passion onto my father who trained a small team of his own horses for a couple of decades. They were both talented horsemen and I hope I have inherited some of their ability!
Q: Name your most favourite horse and why?
A: The horse that made me really fall in love with the animal was Sunline. She was such a warrior and raced for many seasons. Her toughness and determination to win are what I loved most. You can see the effort in her performance, you could tell she wanted to race and wanted to win. She could run extraordinary sectionals and still have a kick at the end of her races. Seeing a horse with her will to win shows how much horses can love racing and even in defeat you had to be proud of her.