Photo: Supplied
This week in Dunstan Horsefeeds Meet the Breeder, we have a quick chat with Brian Anderton, a name synonymous with breeding in the South Island and most recently had success in the Gr.3 South Island Breeders' Stakes with home-bred mare, Burgie.
Tell us the history of White Robe Lodge.
I was a jockey at 13, first winner at age 14, horse called White Robe therefore the business name!
So I started as a jockey, then stud master then trainer – I combined all three passions.
The business started in 1956 when I was aged 18 and I got my first stallion Harken when I was based at Wingatui.
We moved to the North Taieri block in 1981 where the current stud is. Since then we have added two other grazing blocks at Middlemarch and between Mosgiel and Outram.
White Robe Lodge has stood about 20 stallions over time.
We currently employ 18 staff across stud and training, stand 4 stallion and have about 40 horses currently in work.
I feel very lucky that I have a lot of my family working with me as I co-train with my son Shane, and my daughter Karen and her husband Wayne run the breeding side of the business. They are all interested in racing and it is very much a family affair as many also have shares in some of the racehorses, individually and as part of a syndicate.
What is about the South Island land that helps you produce a tough, sound, longevity in a thoroughbred - for example Hypnotize?
Good pastures, good bloodlines and they get the opportunity to grow out naturally on big paddocks. The harsher climate down here makes a tougher horse.
What made you interested in breeding horses and how did you get into it?
Always had an interest and a flair for breeding/bloodlines.
How many mares do you breed from?
Approximately 45 broodmares – mainly home bloodlines
Tell us about some of the breeding success you have had?
Bred some top performing Australasian horses with the help of sires like Noble Bijou, Mellay, Yamanin Vital.
Tell us about your stallions (past/present) and what you look for when sourcing a stallion.
In stallions, look for pedigree and a strong dam line. Noble Bijou is the only stallion to date, to have won both the Sire and Broodmare Sire Premiership in the same season in NZ.
What makes you so passionate about the NZ thoroughbred breeding industry?
It’s been my life.
Do you breed to trade or breed to race? How do you make your decisions on what to keep and what to sell?
Breed to race and sell. Some need to be sold to run the business. Those for sale are selected on suitability, type and market demand. We retain quite a few fillies who often race with syndicate and then go on to be broodmares.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
No
What advice would you give to someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Obtain the best stock for your money, decide whether wanting a breeding or racing prospect. Feed your mare and any progeny well. If racing, be patient!
Proudest moment as a breeder?
Any win a good win. Random Chance winning a group 1. Receiving the ONZM from the Governor General and also being inducted into the Racing Hall of Fame.
Finish this sentence…the best part about being a thoroughbred breeder is….Nothing better than watching a horse growing from being born, growing out as a youngster and then hopefully producing a successful racehorse. Even better if they go on to be a broodmare. Some of my mares go back six generations.
