In this month's BetaVet Under The Radar, we catch up with NZB Marketing Manager, Natalie Jamieson.
Explain your role and the company you work for.
I’m the Marketing Manager at New Zealand Bloodstock, which probably doesn’t need any introduction! An incredible company owned by Sir Peter Vela, and my boss Andrew Seabrook at the helm. I’ve been at NZB for about six years and manage a small but awesome team of four.
What is a typical day for you?
We never have the same day in the office, or out and about. From an auction house perspective, the work certainly peaks over sales season when we have our headline National Yearling Sales Series in January, which is a quick turnaround from the Ready to Run Sale. However, it really is a 12 month process as work on the catalogue for the next year starts as soon as the Sale ends. Being our core business, marketing of our various sales takes up majority of the day. However, we are busy in between with airfreight, insurance, finance and other needs, not to mention all of the sponsorships we manage.
What is your favourite part of your job?
Love the atmosphere and working during all of the sales, particularly when we’ve had good results and all the work has paid off for the vendors. But equally enjoy our TAB Karaka Millions night which has grown to be the best raceday in the country.
What, if any, are the difficulties your role can or does face?
It is certainly a challenge to navigate tough economic or market conditions with creative marketing, and ensuring we are always ahead of new developments or technologies. It’s always rewarding to be innovative and industry-leading in that respect. The workload can increase dramatically from August to February, but I love that time of year and the energy and atmosphere, it is what we work all year round to achieve the best results possible.
Are you involved with any racehorses (breeding or racing)?
I’ve been fortunate enough to be involved on several levels, as a breeder, owner and (very amateur) jockey. My partner Brad and I bred our first thoroughbred a few years ago and ended up winning only one race, thankfully an Entain – NZB Insurance Pearl Series race so the bonus made up for her only winning one! She has just had her first foal by Vadamos and is back in foal to Ace High.
A long time ago I also competed for a season in the Amateur Jockey Series, I got my win aboard Top Choice for Shaun & Emma Clotworthy and retired straight after on a high! I still ride the occasional trackwork at Pukekohe Park. Great to have that experience from all facets of the industry and appreciate the huge amount of work that goes into a thoroughbred from conception to getting to the races.
Finish this sentence - The best thing about the thoroughbred breeding industry is…
Probably cliché but the incredible athletes that thoroughbreds are, and what a sporting spectacle it can be – just look at the Cox Plate coverage last weekend and how many were on course there. I also love the stories I get to hear at the sales, about the backgrounds, success stories and history people have with some of these horses as weanlings, yearlings or two-year-olds. We certainly have some incredible horsepeople in the industry too
