In this week's Dunstan Horsefeeds Meet the Breeder, we catch up with Robyn and Chris, breeders of Gr.2 Auckland Cup winner Platinum Invador (Redwood x Atomic Dancer). Both Robyn and Chris now work for Haunui Farming with Chris managing the stallion barn and Robyn holding a vital role in the broodmare and foaling unit.
How many mares do you breed from?
We have had up to four or five but when Platinum Invador was born we had two.
Do you make your own breeding decisions or seek advice from others?
We make our own decisions. When Atomic Dancer came over and we saw her in the flesh we thought that if we put her to Redwood we'd get a lovely black type of horse. And that is what happened. Platinum Invador was always precocious, he had a lovely nature and would always come up to you. Most of our mating decisions is based on type.
What is the best breeding advice you have received?
Because we work in the industry we are learning all the time. We get to see a lot of foals by certain stallions and that means we get swayed towards what type of mare suits what stallions. We've learnt there are no rules and it is not an easy industry.
Who do you admire in the breeding industry?
Everyone. It is a process, from getting the mare in foal to raising the horses let alone getting them to the sale ring or races. We admire everyone working in the industry who look after the horses. We treat them like our own kids and we're doing it for the love of it and the welfare of the horses.
Proudest moment as a breeder?
Saturday's win definitely. I wished we'd taped us, we were yelling at the tv so loudly!
Finish this sentence: The best thing about being a thoroughbred breeder is:
Seeing what the mare produces and what they do on the track.
