Bill Bromley - British Horseracing Authority

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Classic winners: Erhaab, Sir Harry Lewis and Silver Patriarch. It might be worth recalling that Classic Cliché, who was sold to Kilbarry Lodge Stud (Ireland) in 2004 after standing at Wood Farm, was one of the first British jump stallions to cover over 100 mares, and that was in his first season here in 1997. To what extent has the Irish Derby winner Sir Harry Lewis made his mark Sir Harry Lewis is now 24 and his results speak for themselves. He is the sire of Mighty Man, champion staying hurdler of 2006 and 2007, Burntoakboy, the Coral Cup winner, and numerous others including the progressive Diamond Harry, Champagne Harry, Diamant Noir, Harringay, Cetti’s Warbler and Sir Harry Ormesher, who we bred ourselves. Your father Cecil established the stud in the 1950s. Do you consider National Hunt breeding in Britain to be stronger now than it was in those early years of Wood Farm Most definitely. My father started this stud initially as a pleasurable pastime, his main business being farming. His other pleasure was hunting, which he would have done eight days a week if he could. What were you doing before you took over the stud After leaving school in 1959 I went to my grandparents to learn dairy farming, initially for six months, but it lasted 20 years. I came back to the stud after my father had a brain haemorrhage and the following year (1981) Space King was the inaugural winner of the Whitbread Silver Salver (presented at the TBA awards)– a feat repeated in 2007 with Sir Harry Lewis. What does Wood Farm consist of, do you farm as well We used to be arable farmers until eight years ago, when we were lucky enough to purchase the stud (we had been tenants), and we relinquished the arable land tenancy in order to concentrate on the stud side of the business. Now, we own 150 acres and rent a further 60 acres and are always on the lookout for more land, but so far no suitable pasture land has come on the market locally; land seems to be the only thing that is going up in price at the moment. We own a dozen or so broodmares and our current policy is to sell the geldings as three or four-year-old stores. But the fillies are notoriously hard to sell so we try to lease them or race them ourselves for a maximum of two years; all of our stock is always on the market. We currently have four horses in training – two with Chris Down in Devon and two with Donald McCain in Cheshire. We have also leased a half-sister to Lough Derg to Lets Live Racing for two years. Is it tough competing with the Irish stallions Yes, extremely tough. But we have been fortunate to have a band of very loyal owners who regularly support us. Our son Anthony, and David Minton, who run Highflyer Bloodstock, are a big help in guiding owners in our direction if they think one of our stallions is a suitable match for one of their client’s mares. FAVOURITES Destination West Indies Book Anything by Wilbur Smith Drink Most drinks, but mainly beer Actress Amanda Burton Meal Sunday roast beef cooked by my wife at home Lucarno (right) joins Sir Harry Lewis, Erhaab, Silver Patriarch and Norse Dancer at Wood Farm
The likes of Oscar and Heron Island regularly cover massive books (in excess of 300). Is this healthy for the breed and would you ever allow your stallions to cover so many mares No, I don’t agree with such massive numbers and I don’t think it has helped the industry. It is not so many years ago that 40 mares was considered to be a full book. However, now you must have larger books in order to produce a champion sire because there is so much natural wastage with injuries, etc. I suppose between 80 and 100 mares per stallion would be ideal. We own Sir Harry Lewis and now limit him to a maximum of 50 mares. Would you ever set a limit for Lucarno That would be a decision for Mr Strawbridge and his advisors. How tough is it operating in the industry with a recession looming What recession The top end of the market is as strong as ever. I think it will be tough next season, but in the long run it will be good for the industry as we have all been guilty of covering moderate to useless mares. But we work in a very passionate industry and who am I to tell an owner that his ‘pride and joy’ is not good enough to breed from. What are the attractions of being a British breeder It must be pride as it certainly isn’t prizemoney. Is there one stallion you wish you could have stood at Wood Farm We ought not to dwell on the past, though it does bring me back to the aforementioned Kayf Tara, who is flying. But I don’t think I have much chance of standing him as Simon Sweeting at Overbury is doing a great job with him and Simon is much younger than I am! What stars have you bred Two ‘highflying’ sons – Anthony, of Highflyer Bloodstock, and Christopher, who is in senior management at Elsevier Scientific Publications. And proud of them we are, too. Do you hold a position on any of the TBA National Hunt committees or councils If so what are your responsibilities I have just completed my three years on the TBA National Hunt Committee and I am not standing for re-election due to business commitments. I enjoyed my stint and found it very interesting; I now appreciate how much the TBA put into supporting the industry. Where do you visualise British National Hunt breeding in ten years I cannot see a great change if we all continue to overproduce. However, I do think the recession will sort this out for us. We must try to retain the top sires here in the UK to prevent the best mares always going across the Irish Sea. Who in your view has done most for British NH breeding The late David Nicholson was an avid supporter of British breeding. He never failed to telephone a breeder after they had bred a winner and he also encouraged new breeders into the industry. His wife Dinah has continued this and is ever present at National Hunt sales and many race meetings spreading the gospel. Lucarno can help to challenge the domination of Irish-based National Hunt sires FINGERS ON THE BUZZERS Who would you most like to meet outside racing Shane Warne What irritates you Bad losers Your relaxation It used to be playing cricket. Now it is watching as a big supporter of Shropshire County Cricket What keeps you awake at night Nothing – except when England are playing cricket abroad Four guests for a dinner party Tina Turner, Sir Mark Prescott, Jeff Rowe (Jethro) and Sir Ian Botham Describe yourself in four words Always optimistic, Source: Thoroughbred Owner & Breeder January 2009
Page 1: Lucarno’s arrival at Wood Farm St

Bill Bromley - British Horseracing Authority

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