This week we catch up with Peter and Barbara Smith who bred the well-named Town Cryer who took out the Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Taranaki Breeders' Stakes.
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
It was through Peter’s father, he had a mare called ‘Left’ who was no good as a racehorse but produced numerous Cup winners including a Melbourne Cup winner Wotan in 1936. It was Peter’s father and two uncles that had the family but the uncles weren’t so keen on the breeding side so when Peter was old enough, he took over.
All of our stock and all the horses on our property have descended from Left.
How many mares do you breed from?
It varies. Sometimes three, sometimes up to six.
Tell us about Town Cryer?
When naming our horses, we always like to incorporate the sire and dams name in it, and our clever granddaughter came up with Town Cryer (Tavistock x The Speaker). The trainer (Royden Bergerson) has always had a high opinion of her so it was great for everyone to get the winner on Saturday. I don’t think the smiles have left their faces yet.
Do you breed to race or breed to trade?
Both. We normally always have something in the sales but I think this will be the first year we won’t.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Not really.
We aren’t committed to any stallions, so we breed to what we like. It is ourselves and two sons, and after lengthy discussions we come up with the matings. We don’t have a particular formula that we use.
Best Breeding advice you have received?
Try and go to proven sires.
Who do you admire in the thoroughbred breeding industry?
Definitely the late Sir Patrick and also the Chittick family.
If you could own any broodmare (past or present), who would it be?
It would have to be Eight Carat.
What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Send your best mare to the best stallion (that you can afford).
Proudest moment as a breeder?
Most recently, it would be Fay-Fay (Falkirk) when he won the Hong Kong Derby.
Finish this sentence: The best part of being a thoroughbred breeder is…
Breeding a Group One winner. We have had Willy Smith who won the Gr.1 Wellington Cup. We have had Hunza, who we sold, the dam of Courtza who won the Gr.1 Golden Slipper – they are all our family, all descend from ‘Left’.
