Tom Moore - Coolmore Australia
TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
Tom Moore: I was lucky enough to grow up in Scone, surrounded by racing and breeding from a very young age. My father (Kieran Moore) was a bloodstock agent for many years, so I remember shadowing him at farms and stables across the country to inspect yearlings, mares and stallions while I was growing up.
A very vivid memory was watching Amalfi (NZ) (Carnegie {Ire}), a horse Dad purchased for Ron Wanless as a yearling, win the Victoria Derby from home in 2001. That was hugely exciting and I think that is where I really caught the racing bug.
TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?
TM: It is hard to pick out a favourite, but I always had a soft spot for So You Think (NZ). He was an immensely talented and versatile horse and now I am lucky enough to work with him at Coolmore where he has become one of the best stallions in Australia.
Tom Moore | Image courtesy of Inglis
TDN AusNZ: Do you have a favourite day on a racecourse? Why?
TM: Growing up in Scone with the racecourse virtually in our backyard, it is hard to go past Scone Cup Day. It’s at a great time of the year, between the yearling sales and breeding stock sales, and it's a perfect opportunity for everyone to get together and enjoy each other’s company in a relaxed environment. The racing is usually pretty good too.
TDN AusNZ: Could you tell us how you got into this industry, about your job now and what you love most about it?
TM: As previously mentioned, I was exposed to the industry from a very young age as it was Dad’s business. I was always fascinated by pedigrees, sire tables and statistics and I loved analysing catalogues and form guides as a kid. When I finished school I went to work for Gai Waterhouse for a couple of years and while I was at university I worked on a number of smaller farms and assisted dad at the sales.
Upon the completion of my university studies (Bachelor of Business at UTS) I was fortunate to get a job at Coolmore in Ireland, where I worked for two years despite initially intending to be there for a short stint. I have now been at Coolmore Australia for more than three years, working in nominations and marketing, where my main job is to promote our incredible roster of stallions.
Working with some of the best stallions and stallion prospects in the world is what I love most about working here.
Justify (USA) | Standing at Coolmore Australia
TDN AusNZ: Who do you believe to be a value sire for the upcoming breeding season? Why?
TM: I believe Justify (USA) has to be considered great value at $66,000 (inc GST) in his second season. He’s one of only 13 Triple Crown winners in history, and the only one to retire to stud with an unbeaten record. He is undoubtedly the best son of Scat Daddy (USA) who is an unbelievable turf influence and the support he received here in his first season was unprecedented.
Our industry is more internationalised each and every year and Justify is a name that is recognised throughout the racing world. We have already seen how well the progeny of fellow Triple Crown winner, American Pharoah (USA) sold at the yearling sales this year and it will be no different for Justify when it is his turn.
TDN AusNZ: Is there a stallion that you consider to be under the radar?
TM: I think Vancouver is a stallion who will continue to go from strength to strength and he could be on a similar path to fellow Golden Slipper winner Pierro. He’s already produced five stakes performed 2-year-olds, including Group 2 winner Mount Pleasant, and has the likes of Vangelic, Postcode, Dunbar, Armatree, Montia and Exhibition to run for him in the spring, as well as a number of highly regarded progeny. His yearlings have sold for up to $950,000 and I’m confident that it won’t be possible to access him at a fee of $30,250 (inc GST) again.
TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?
TM: American Pharoah is the best looking horse I’ve ever seen. In my opinion he is faultless.
American Pharoah (USA) | Standing at Coolmore Australia
TDN AusNZ: Which first-season sire do you believe is most exciting?
TM: Calyx (GB).
TDN AusNZ: What was your favourite weanling, yearling or mare purchase this year?
TM: From a Coolmore perspective it is hard to go past Sunlight (Zoustar). A mare with her impeccable credentials are extremely rare and we very much look forward to offering her progeny at the sales in the future. She will be mated with Justify this season.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (Person not horse).
TM: The industry in Australia is blessed with an abundance of talented young people, a number of whom I work with here at Coolmore. It isn’t fair to single out one specifically, but I am sure that the future is bright.
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
TM: A blanket solution to the issue of re-homing all retired racehorses.
TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?
TM: I never seriously contemplated anything else.
TDN AusNZ: How did you keep busy in isolation?
TM: Online sales take more time to prepare for than live ones. They've kept us all fairly busy.
