In this month's BetaVet NZ Under The Radar we talk to Matt Mowbray, New Zealand Bloodstock's Property Manager.
What is your role and how did you get to it?
I’m the property manager at NZB. I heard about the job through a good friend who was an executive chef at the Hilton so I approached Andrew and James. I got the job and I have been loving it ever since.
I’m a builder by trade, have also worked in horticulture, concrete, swimming pools and management. This is a job where I can use all my skills. I used to have 45 staff and over 500 clients so dealing with people is something I'm used to and enjoy. Here it is the horses first and people next.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The plan for the day work backwards from our event dates, usually sales. Each day is varied and we can be doing anything from lawns and gardens to looking after the barns and the chip that come out. It is a big process.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Working with the vendors and the horses. I’ve started to develop some great relationships, we’ve been changing a few things here with new innovations and it’s good being able to pass that on to the vendors. It’s about setting a happy and calm environment for the people and the horses. There is a lot of stress on them when they arrive so it is about setting it right from the start. I love working here and there are some great people.
What part of your job would you delegate if you could?
Nothing really. It is all pretty enjoyable and I like to do everything I ask the guys to do. I think you have to.
Favourite thoroughbred of all time?
I haven’t come from a horse background so to me all of them are special. Last week, before the standardbred sale, was the first week I got to lead horses and help look after them. I got huge learning out of that and what we can do to improve things ahead of the next sale.
If you could shadow someone in the thoroughbred breeding industry for a day who would it be?
A good horseman like Brent Taylor from Trelawney or Gordon Cunningham from Curraghmore. I’ve spent a day with Leon at Pencarrow which was pretty cool to see the process coming right through to the sales.
Finish this sentence - The best thing about the thoroughbred breeding industry is… The horses and the people.
