They say blood is thicker than water and that rings true for the Mitchells.
One of the Australian racing and breeding industry’s most prominent families, brothers Harry, Arthur and Bill have banded together in life and business for decades and that family loyalty has earned them tremendous success.
Valuing the importance of familial ties is a quality that’s been passed down the line and now we are seeing the next generation of Mitchell stock coming through and making a mark in the bloodstock world.
Two years ago, Bill and his 31-year-old son James teamed up to form Mitchell Bloodstock, a decision that’s proven fruitful.
Bill and James Mitchell
“James had been at Inglis for seven years and there came a time to move on and he was keen to do that.
“We essentially would have been doing the same thing and we decided that if we ran it together, we’d cover more ground. We have different contacts and it gives us a spread.
“We essentially would have been doing the same thing and we decided that if we ran it together, we’d cover more ground." - Bill Mitchell
“The business has grown five-fold since James came on board,” said Bill.
At this year’s yearling sales, they have been noticeably active so far purchasing four horses at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, four at the Karaka Yearling Sale and six at the recent Inglis Classic Sale.
Active buyers and traders
“We know our way through the yearling sales and we understand producing good horses. People come our way for assistance and advice and we have partners that we go into horses with.
“We are also becoming traders as well. We trade for people, with people and for ourselves.
“We will do more of that going forward, consult to people and keep an eye out for fillies and mares off the track. We look for any form of bloodstock consultancy work,” he said.
Bill Mitchell inspecting yearlings
A huge flag bearer for their business is Hong Kong’s champion sprinter Beat The Clock (Hinchinbrook), a horse that Bill purchased for $NZ200,000 from the Prima Park draft at the New Zealand Bloodstock Ready to Run Sale in 2015.
He selected the 2019 G1 Hong Kong Sprint (1200 metres) winner for longtime Hong Kong clients Kenneth and Merrick Chung.
“When he was a yearling, we looked at him a couple of times. He was lighter boned and framed than most Hinchinbrooks.
“He (Hinchinbrook) hadn't got rolling yet and for Hong Kong clients you can’t go outside the square. He breezed well and looked lovely and athletic and was a quiet, well-mannered horse. I just really liked him and bought him.
“It’s satisfying to see what he's doing. Kenneth and the whole Chung family have been clients of mine since I trained at Warwick Farm. They have been clients and friends for 36 years. Having a horse win a race on international day for Hong Kong people, that is the ultimate. I’m thrilled that they are thrilled.”
Bill Mitchell during his days as a trainer with General Nediym
Whilst Beat The Clock ticked all the fundamental boxes to warrant selection, Bill says finding a special horse is a bit of an art form.
An art form
“There’s the scientific, mechanical side of it and then there is the art side of it. It’s the art of understanding the animal.
“Some people will spend the rest of their lives trying to get it and they won’t. You can look at so much information now, everything is there now but there is an art to looking at horses. It’s an instinct. You look at a horse sometimes and there’s nothing wrong and then you look at it again and think no I don’t want to buy this horse. It’s their energy, attitude and whole demeanor that I look at.”
"You can look at so much information now, everything is there now but there is an art to looking at horses. It’s an instinct." - Bill Mitchell
As Bill shares these insights James listens intently to his father who has taught him so much about the thoroughbred.
“His eye for a horse is second to none. I’m learning as much as possible from him as far as the physical part of a horse goes.
James Mitchell
“The thing that I notice is a good hind leg and hindquarter, and a nice deep girth and I'm looking for an all-round athlete. We like to think we have an edge which is looking for the athlete,” said James.
A profound influence
Bill’s influence on James has been profound and he has fond memories of his childhood days when his father was one of Australia’s leading trainers with top horses such as General Nediym (Nediym) and Dignity Dancer (Zabeel NZ}) in the stable.
“Dad’s always been the sounding board. I was in the stables a lot as a young kid and enjoyed the glory days and now I'm looking forward to some more glory days in the future.”
A young James and Bill Mitchell
James’ respect for Bill is immense and since linking up together they have built up a strong business.
“Working with dad is very enjoyable. We seem to be able to bounce off each other well and having two sets of legs on the ground at the sales we can cover a lot more territory.”
He admits that working with family sometimes has its challenges.
"We seem to be able to bounce off each other well and having two sets of legs on the ground at the sales we can cover a lot more territory.” - James Mitchell
“It has its moments. Anyone that works with family knows that you can be harder on family than anyone else.
“We haven’t had a big blue yet but I’m looking forward to it,” he joked.
With a clear decision-making strategy in place, the chances of that ever happening does seem unlikely.
“When it comes to horses, we have the right of veto. If I say that’s not going to suit or James says that’s not going to work then we don’t do it," said Bill.
The timing of launching Mitchell Bloodstock couldn’t have been better with both Bill and James believing that the overall health of the bloodstock industry is stronger than ever as a result of extremely healthy prizemoney levels.
James Mitchell (centre) inspecting at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale
“The prizemoney is astronomical. We see it at yearling sales that everyone is better off with this prizemoney across Australia. It’s extraordinarily good and it’s bringing people in and a chance to make money out of racing horses.
“Compared to Europe and the US we are in such a good position in this country. NSW racing is leading the stage and the others have to keep up. It has been extraordinary for the benefit of racing,” said Bill.
And James believes the perception of racing amongst his generation is encouraging despite concerns that perhaps the sport is struggling for new fans.
“The younger generation sees it as a thriving sport. I do find that while everyone is looking to improve racing, we have to be more positive about it. We are the ones in it and we have to sell it,” said James.
