Photo: Supplied
This week in Dunstan Horse Feeds Meet the Breeder, we catch up with Eva Heron of Highline Thoroughbreds, who had group success over the Christmas carnival with Proisir mare, Bourbon Empress.
Tell us the story of Bourbon Empress and provide a short overview of Highline Thoroughbreds?
Located in Cambridge in very close proximity to the racetrack, Cam and I brought the property in 2017 and set about refencing it in Magnum rail to make it as safe as we could. The services we provide are spelling and agistment with a little bit of rehabilitation, along with Yearling and Weanling Prep. On our property we have 20 stables and a horse walker along with 26 individual paddocks for colts and larger spelling paddocks.
Bourbon Empress was born here at Highline Thoroughbreds and quickly became Cam’s favourite foal, she was a strong filly right from the start and as tough as nails! Cam and I have always liked the cross with Proisir and Bourbon Empress is the fourth Proisir foal from Amiga Mia. The other full siblings are Pimlico who only race in NZ 8 times and was 3rd in the Waikato Guineas G2 before being sold up to Hong Kong, Sulabella 5 wins and Chica Bonita 1 win.
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
Cam and I attended the National Broodmare and Weanling Sale with no intention of buying a Broodmare and came home with two! Amiga Mia and Nightingale Island both have turned out to be great Broodmares with both producing black type progeny - Amiga Mia producing Bourbon Empress, Pimlico and Nightingale Island producing Beavertown Boy, in fact both mares’ foals have been able to produce winners, but it certainly is the pinnacle to get that black type!
How many mares do you breed from?
We have 3 mares and lease another.
What else do you have in your bloodstock portfolio? (foals, racehorses, stallion shares etc)
We currently have 3 foals on the ground, a half share in Proisir, we lease a mare for racing and have a small share in another. Having small pockets, it hard to keep a little something in your horses, as much as you would like too!
Do you breed to race or breed to sell? If sell, how do you decide on what to retain and what to sell?
We breed racehorses that we can sell. We try to breed good horses that don’t just look pretty, but can do the job on the racetrack!
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Cam and I make our own decision, based on the pedigree and mare/stallion match. Often on pedigree the mating looks fantastic, but the physical type of mare and stallion don’t match.
Best breeding advice you have received?
Always back yourself!
What do you love about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
The people! It’s a fantastic industry to be involved in, there are so many people that will lend a hand at a drop of a hat!
What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Always learn, never stop! You’ll never get it right the first time, no matter what you do! Take advice, people in the industry have generations of experience, you will gleam some sound advice from very experienced people. Most importantly dare to dream!
Proudest moment as a breeder
Bourbon Empress is our proudest moment, and we are ever grateful to Marsh Racing stables for taking the time with her!
Finish this sentence: The best part of being a thoroughbred breeder is… watching something you bred go on to win!
