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The iconic Westbury Stud’s Russell Warwick, whose career graph includes at stint with Sir Patrick Hogan at Cambridge Stud, chats to The Impact about what defines breeding success and tells us more about their top weanlings that will be presented at the next Karaka sales in 2020.
One of New Zealand’s top studs, its recent track success include
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Miami Bound |
2019 VRC Oaks |
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Julius |
2020 Railway Stakes |
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Bonneval |
2017 & 2018 Horse of the Year |
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Sofia Rosa |
2016 ATC Oaks |
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Music Magnate |
2016 Doomben 10,000 |
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Lord Arthur |
Championship Stakes |
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Night’s Watch |
2020 Neville Sellwood Stakes |
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Platinum Invader |
2020 City of Auckland Cup |
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Ho Khan (HK) |
2019 Queen Mother Memorial Cup |
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Inferno (Sing) |
2018 Golden Horseshoe |
“We have an exciting bunch of yearlings for 2021, Mr Harvey is sending forty new mares to us from Australia this year to supplement the broodmare band. These mares are in foal to high-profile Australian stallions including Exceed and Excel, Zoustar, Lonhro, Spirit of Boom, Brazen Beau, Harry Angel, The Autumn Sun, So You Think, Pierro, Vancouver, Trapeze Artist, Rubick and company.”
Westbury Stud is spread over two picturesque properties, one in Auckland, ten minutes from New Zealand Bloodstock’s Sales complex, and the other in the heart of the thoroughbred country in New Zealand in Matamata. Between the two propertiesWestbury has consistently provided elite horses on a regular basis across Asia and Australasia.
Looking forward to 2021, Warwick said, “We have a number of nice horses booked in for the 2021 Sales Series, including a So You Think-Our Squeezer colt (who is a half-brother to last year’s $900,000 sale topper by Pierro) and out of a half-sister to dual Horse of the Year Bonneval, in addition to a close relation, a colt by Dundeel-Lady Cumquat are just two top yearlings expected to be unveiled at the next Karaka sales.”
Resident sire Reliable Man who comes from a Derby producing sire line with five generations of Derby winners has made an instant impact with his progeny in the Southern Hemisphere and boasts two Oaks winners from his first three crops and his stock being well sought after in the market place.
A son of Dalakhani, Reliable Man was a Group One winner in both hemispheres and has sired the likes of Gr.1 VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound, Gr.1 New Zealand Oaks winner Sentimental Miss, Gr.1 VRC Victoria Derby runner-up Sully, as well as Gr. 1 placed Belle du Nord, Hypnos, Aalaalune and the highly promising Kinane for whom an offer of A$2.8 million was rejected.
The quality of weanlings aiming for 2021 is widespread and currently being raised on the Westbury Stud paddocks include:
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Reliable Man-Arapaho Miss colt |
Brother to VRC Oaks winner Miami Bound |
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Reliable Man-Concert Girl filly |
Sister to G1 winner Music Magnate |
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Reliable Man-Fashions Afield filly |
Daughter of Champion filly Fashions Afield |
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Reliable Man-Gold Water colt |
Out of stakes winner and G1 placed mare |
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Reliable Man-Lady Paget filly |
Half-sister to Australian G1 winner Prince Fawaz |
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Reliable Man-Veva Girl colt |
Brother to G1 placed 2YO Aalaalune |
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Telperion-Chinchilla Rose colt |
Out of G2 winner, closely related to Star Witness |
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Swiss Ace-Derrydane colt |
Brother to G3 winner Passing Shot |
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Swiss Ace-Military Rose colt |
Out of Gold Coast Magic Million winner |
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Deep Field-Progression filly |
Granddaughter of Golden Slipper runner-up Headway |
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El Roca-Joiya colt |
A brother G1 placed Bella Mente, & half G1 Bella Giaoa |
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Lonhro-Remind Me filly |
Out of Dansili |
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Savabeel-Eau de Parfum colt |
Out of a well-bred Redoute’s Choice mare |
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Savabeel-Kittens filly |
Out of a stakes winner, family of Octagonal |
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Savabeel-Love and Kisses colt |
Out of G1 placed Encosta de Lago mare |
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Star Turn-Dubleanny filly |
Out of stakes-winning Australian sprinter |
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So You Think-Evolve colt |
Family of Holy Roman Emperor |
“New Zealand has lost a couple of good stallions recently (Tavistock and Sacred Falls) and hopefully Reliable Man will fill the void behind leading sire Savabeel,” said Warwick
His approach to breeding the best horses is quite simply, “time and dedication.”
“I believe you have to get the pedigree compatibility and the physical side of matings right in the first place.”
“I go through three drafts pedigree selections before they go to Mr Harvey who will then go over them carefully and provide his feedback.”
“The whole process can take about three to six months before we settle on our final choices.”
“Although most of our mares go to our own stallions, we also have shares in Savabeel, and previously in Tavistock, who we support with some of our top mares.”
“The pedigree selection is the first process, and once born, it’s about the attention to detail in all aspects of raising the foal into a commercial yearling prospect, and ultimately a successful racehorse.
“At every stage, with every yearling, it is about getting the basics right, and concentrating on raising the horses with a day by day approach. Concentrating on the little things like feeding them well, providing good education and lots of space to develop in ensures the weanlings have the best opportunities to become successful racehorses” said Warwick.
The sizeable operation currently has about 180 weanlings, of which 10 – 20 will be retained by Mr Harvey while the rest will be sold at a yearling or two-year-old sales.
Like any good operation, Westbury is a testament to the passion and dedication of its staff, “Working on studs is a way of life and our operation is dependent on the commitment of a large number of talented staff, which we are extremely fortunate to have across our farms.”
Westbury is owned by Australian retailer and successful breeder, Gerry Harvey, who also owns Australia's Baramul Stud. With more than 1000 horses under his ownership in Australia, Harvey is also a major shareholder in the Hunter Valley-based Vinery Stud, while the Harvey family own the Australian thoroughbred auction house Magic Millions.