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Paul Willets, a well-known face at the Australian and New Zealand Thoroughbred sales particularly when it comes to Broodmares and Weanlings, was once again among the top buyers at the recent Magic Millions sales.
Maintaining an ever- expanding database of more than 300,000 thoroughbreds in New Zealand and Australia gives Paul the edge over other bloodstock agents and trainers. Updated daily for the past 21 years, the database provides instant access to key information on the dam's side including a detailed breakdown of physical characteristics of horses seen as yearlings or weanlings.
The Impact speaks to the consummate industry professional about his top purchases and his strategy.
Q: You were one of the leading buyers at the recent weanling sales. You purchased 15 weanlings for a total of A$850,500. Has this been a consistent sales trend in-terms of the weanling numbers? If yes, were you hoping to buy more?
A: Yes, I can normally buy up to 20 weanlings in any one year. I could have bought a few more if the price was right.
Q: And similarly, did you expect to pay an average of A$56,000 per weanling?
A: I generally try and buy value at the sale as most of the purchases will be pin hooked onto a sale next year.
Q: Do you anticipate any more private weanling purchases or purchases at the Southern sale later?
A: I do not buy privately but do expect to buy some weanlings at the upcoming Great Southern Sale.
Q: What is special about your top 3 highest-value lots at the Gold Coast Sale - Lot 81 (A$200,000:, Lot 344 (A$170,000: and Lot 397 (A$100,000:? Could you tell us more about where they are headed?
A: All 3 were lovely types and hopefully were bought at value, no decisions have been made as to where they will sell next year.
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Q: Similarly, you bought Wawail (AUS: for A$425,000 from the Shadwell Stud dispersal draft. Where is she headed and what makes her special?
A: She was a dual Group winning Lonhro mare and out of a lovely mare El Daana who I remember well as a very highly rated yearling of her year. No decision has been made regarding a consort this coming season.
Q: In terms of numbers buying 17 horses for A$2.35 million a consistent annual trend for you?
A: It’s a few more than I would normally buy I do to a few new clients.
Q: Did you face challenges due to strength of the market?
A: It was very strong all year but if you do the homework there are holes in almost all sales.
Q: What is your earliest racing memory? Who inspires you?
A: I have no racing heritage so to speak but can remember Silver Knight winning the Melbourne Cup in the early 70s for some reason. I really admire fellow bloodstock agent John Foote for his work ethic, his success and his humbleness.