Cover image courtesy of Magic Millions
Currently on the market, the stunning Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm is a picturesque breeding operation on the outskirts of the quaint coastal town of Coronet Bay.
James O’Brien, who runs Lauriston simultaneously to his role as Director of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia (TBA), caught up with The Thoroughbred Report on Thursday to discuss the property, and the legacy it has built.
Optimal location
James O’Brien has continued on the work of his father Kevin, who passed away in 2020.
When discussing his fortune to work at such an idyllic location, O'Brien said, “It’s tremendous, it’s a great part of the world, fantastic pasture.
“I know that parts of Australia have been suffering from drought over the years, but this is real horse country, with regards to the right grass.
“I know that parts of Australia have been suffering from drought over the years, but this is real horse country, with regards to the right grass.” - James O'Brien
“It’s really good land and a nice part of the world.”
Perfectly located on the edge of the peaceful coastal town of Coronet Bay, the property has access to local beaches, which have been graced by the likes of Incentivise (Shamus Award) and Nature Strip (Nicconi), as well as sub-90 minute travel times to the Melbourne CBD, Mornington Peninsula, Pakenham and Cranbourne.
Gallery: Lauriston Thoroughbred Farm is located on the edge of the coastal town of Coronet Bay, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Transitional period
Well-positioned within the industry to understand contemporary challenges faced by participants, O’Brien said on the subject of staffing, “I think staff in the industry right now is a big issue.
“Nowadays a lot less people grow up around horses when compared to years gone by. So having people with expertise around horses is always a problem.”
Asked if the primary motivator for downsizing was labour-related complications, O’Brien told The Thoroughbred Report, “It hasn’t been the main driver, it’s a decision to consolidate the mares, with a focus on quality rather than quantity. It’s an economy of scale.”
James O'Brien | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
The property has served its purpose for the operation, which no longer needs the facilities to operate under the future direction of the business.
Discussing what comes next, O’Brien said, “On a separate farm we are operating pre-training facilities, we have three uphill tracks, and I think that’s a great competitive advantage, along with access to the beach.
“We’re quite busy in that area.”
Beach access for working horses is believed to be a competitive advantage | Image courtesy of Magic Millions
Glamorous legacy
With almost two decades of providing young horses into the sales ecosystem, Lauriston have been able to produce some elite-level prospects that would train on to do great things on the track. Asked if there was a particular standout, O’Brien said, “I think the one that really put us on the map was Global Glamour, she was purchased by a syndicate of ladies all around the world.
“I think the one that really put us on the map was Global Glamour.” - James O'Brien
“There were a number of high-profile industry people, I think there were 40 women, led by Elaine (Lawlor). We had people from Arqana in France, from Kentucky, all around the world, as well as locally.
“It was just amazing, she won two Group 1s, she beat the best fillies in Sydney in the (G1) Flight Stakes and then a week later backed up into Melbourne and beat the best fillies here in the (G1) Thousand Guineas. Back to back Group 1s, it was just outstanding.
“Congratulations to Gai Waterhouse, and Adrian Bott, I think she gave him his first Group 1 winner as a trainer, so just the profile around that horse was great, it was tremendous.”
Winning five of her 19 starts, Global Glamour (Star Witness) accrued over $1,500,000 in prizemoney for her all-ladies syndicate, before going on to sell for $1,550,000 at the 2019 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale.
Gallery: Global Glamour selling for $1,550,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale in 2019, images courtesy of Magic Millions
Post-retirement, she has been served by a number of top-class stallions, with her first foal Scientist - Amazing Run (Zoustar) a winner. She has also visited Justify (USA), I Am Invincible and Snitzel. Her engagement for the 2023 breeding season was to shuttle stallion St Mark’s Basilica (Fr).
The sale campaign is being managed by real estate agency Donovan + Co, in collaboration with Magic Millions.
