Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
In today's Q & A, we feature a quick-fire round with Bevan Smith, owner of Bevan Smith Bloodstock.
Favourite moment - racing, sales or breeding-related - for the 2022/23 season?
Bevan Smith: Being at the Inglis Great Southern Weanling Sale and we are looking at a filly with a big head, small eyes and huge 'Dumbo the Elephant' ears getting mocked by Andy Williams so she cow-kicked him, getting his thigh. Andy hits the deck and so do those of us watching, but we fell down in laughter! For those concerned, Andy was fine. We decided we had to buy the filly, so we did for $60,000, named her Lily after Andy’s wife and sold her at the Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling sale for $170,000. Getting kicked brought a $110,000 profit!
Which sire do you consider a value sire? Fee <$50k and not a first-season sire.
BS: I think that is easy – All Too Hard. He has one of the best horses in the land in Alligator Blood, he has done a great job in Hong Kong and they are just tough, honest racehorses that win races every week.
All Too Hard | Standing at Vinery Stud
What young sire (less than three crops) do you think will one day be Champion Sire?
BS: Trapeze Artist. They showed good ability as 2-year-olds and have improved as 3-year-olds. He already has a Group 1 winner and I think he will keep on an upward trajectory.
Which yearling purchase in 2023 are you most excited about?
BS: All of them! Right now, the dream is alive for all of them. If I had to single one out it would be the Written Tycoon x Villa Rosa filly, she is showing all the right signs early.
The Written Tycoon x Villa Rosa (filly) purchased for $560,000 by Liam Howley Racing, Andrew Williams Bloodstock (FBAA) and Bevan Smith Bloodstock at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
What, if any, is your greatest current-industry concern?
BS: Attracting staff, in particular new, young people. It is a huge problem for trainers, farms, etc., and the effect is being passed on to owners.
Name an emerging human talent in the industry, and say why?
BS: Kelly Van Dyk of Prima Park. She has pivoted her business to include educating and pre-training and is doing a fantastic job of it. She has a great team of staff with her and she is doing an excellent job leading them. This was the first year Prima Park have breezed the horses themselves and every horse they prepared breezed professionally and fast. Her horses always look great, and no doubt will continue to at every sale she prepares them for. She has also just got her trainer’s licence so watch that space.
If you had $10 million to invest in an industry initiative, what would it be and why?
BS: I would incentivise new participants to the industry by offering a ‘first job bonus’ to new entrants to the industry. Getting new people in the door is the first step, we have a great industry and no doubt plenty will fall in love and stay, we just must make it attractive enough to give it a go.
