Cover image courtesy of Northmore Thoroughbreds
The Murchison North Victoria-based Northmore Thoroughbreds, operated by husband and wife Rodney and Tammy Notman, has returned to Inglis’ Oaklands venue for the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale set to commence on Sunday, March 3.
Northmore Thoroughbreds has been a proud supporter of the Victorian sale since commencing under the 'Northmore' banner in 2019.
The Notmans will offer 15 yearlings by a diverse selection of stallions, including lots by the Victorian-based sires Fierce Impact (Lot 770), Rubick (Lot 293), Toronado (Ire) (Lot 484), Nicconi (Lot 162), Brazen Beau (Lot 214), Pierata (Lot 439) and Street Boss (USA) (Lot 542).
Gallery: Some of Victorian-based sires represented in the Northmore Thoroughbreds' draft
Sensational results in 2023
Northmore Thoroughbreds enjoyed sensational results at the 2023 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale last year. It achieved a 100 per cent clearance rate with a top price of $200,000 for a filly, by Written By, from the Stravinsky (USA) mare Satinka (NZ).
The daughter of Written By, now named Odissi, was purchased by Dalziel Bloodstock and Peter Moody Racing.
Overall, Northmore Thoroughbreds achieved an average price of $104,750 for their 12 yearlings sold.
Speaking to The Thoroughbred Report, Tammy Notman, is hopeful a similar result can be obtained this year. However, Notman is also realistic to the market challenges this year.
“I’m hopeful we can have another good sale on the back of last year. We have a few little concerns regarding the market but we’re also very realistic because that’s your guide.
“I think we have brought the right horses to the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale as it’s the only sale we target. The aim is for these horses to be in the top end of the market.
“Of course, you have the reality that not every horse will be a $200,000-plus horse but we will be happy if a few are. Our goal is to present quality horses.
“Of course, you have the reality that not every horse will be a $200,000-plus horse but we will be happy if a few are. Our goal is to present quality horses.” - Tammy Notman
Inspections for the 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale kicked off on Tuesday, February 27, and so far, Tammy Notman has been pleased with the traffic and early indicators.
“We’ve had a very busy morning so far with the team in full swing since 8.30am this morning.
“So, it’s been a great start.”
Type to the fore
Notman shared some insight into how Northmore Thoroughbreds puts together its Inglis Premier Yearling Sale drafts.
Predominantly breeding themselves, and picking up a few clients along the way, with the emphasis being on presenting a ‘good type’ that is indicative of a quality racehorse.
The Northmore Thoroughbreds mares are mated to stallions that will complement their physical attributes and produce a horse that physically ticks the boxes.
As experienced and passionate horse people the Notmans are also across all aspects of presenting their draft. With much of the work done themselves and a strong focus on treating each yearling as an individual.
Tammy Notman | Image courtesy of Northmore Thoroughbreds
“Most of the horses we’ve bred ourselves. We’ve had a couple of people bring their horses to us, but we only do 12 or 13 at home.
“We try to keep our draft on the boutique side as it’s important for Rodney and I to be able to do it ourselves. Every horse under our care is treated individually and their needs adjusted accordingly.
“Any little extra bit we can do to ensure we are presenting an athlete, we do. It’s important that Rodney and I are able to recognise how a horse is handling their preparation.
“It does make a difference to the finished product.”
Decades of experience
It comes as no surprise the Notmans' emphasis on small differences making a big impact.
The couple are experienced horse people, Rodney, being a farrier and practically been around racing and horses his whole life, while Tammy Notman has a background in showing off-the-track-thoroughbreds since the age of 13.
As what could be seen as the natural progression, the couple combined and using their wealth of experience created Northmore Thoroughbreds and haven’t looked back.
Tammy Notman judging the off-the-track thoroughbreds | Image courtesy of Northmore Thoroughbreds
“I’ve always shown thoroughbreds, since I was 13. My first Royal Show winner was a thoroughbred that was off the track. While Rodney has been a farrier and spent many years in the thoroughbred racing industry.
“I stopped showing horses and Rodney is trying to wind down a little bit. So, it was an easy transition to do what we do. Alan Harvey gave us the opportunity to prepare his horses and we just loved it.
“It’s only the two of us and we work well together; it’s just second nature really and you are rewarded when you get a great result.”
Potential highlights
Notman shared some potential highlights in this year’s 2024 Inglis Premier Yearling draft.
Among the highlights is Lot 514, a colt, by the outstanding Justify (USA). The colt is the first foal from the Sebring mare Shahzade, who won three races.
Shahzade is a daughter of the Listed winner Maloose (Redoute’s Choice), who is the dam of Listed Debutant S. victress Kiki Express (Sepoy).
Lot 514 - Justify (USA) x Shahzade (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
Another highlight is Lot 399, a colt, by the much missed Magnus; a prolific sire of winners.
Lot 399 is the third foal from Moet Rose, a daughter of Bel Esprit, who was raced by Notman and friends under the ‘Golden Girls Syndicate’.
Northmore Thoroughbreds presented the full sister to Lot 399 last year as Lot 810. The filly was well-received making $120,000 to the bid of Nick Ryan Racing and has now been named Vain Champagne.
Lot 399 - Magnus x Moet Rose (colt) | Image courtesy of Inglis
“We have a really nice colt by Justify. We are also offering a Magnus colt, who is a full brother to a filly (Lot 810) we sold last year, that my friends and I bred.
“That filly sold in Book 2 for $120,000 last year, and I think this guy (Lot 399) is a much nicer horse than her. So, I’m hopeful he will be well-received.
“Some people may discount because he’s by Magnus, but he’s an absolutely magnificent horse. I think if people look at what is in front of them, he’ll be popular because he’s just lovely.”
“Some people may discount because he’s (Lot 399) by Magnus, but he’s an absolutely magnificent horse. I think if people look at what is in front of them, he’ll be popular because he’s just lovely.” - Tammy Notman
Notman has also been happy with Lot 545, a colt, by Written By, who sired Saturday’s G2 Silver Slipper victor Straight Charge.
The strongly built bay colt is from the Snitzel mare Stay Positive, who is closely related to the G1 Stradbroke H. winner Tyzone (Written Tycoon), a winner of 17 races overall.
“The Written By is a pretty special colt but across the board they’re all nice horses, we wouldn’t bring them here if they wouldn’t.”
Graduates making their mark
It is early days for Northmore Thoroughbreds, but the Victorian operation is already making their mark and forging a reputation for producing winners.
Recent graduates from the farm include the Group 3-placed Elkington Road (All Too Hard), who was sold by Northmore Thoroughbreds for $240,000 to Paul Moroney Bloodstock and Mike Moroney at the 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
Another is the metropolitan-winning juvenile Eros (Capitalist). He was sold to Hong Kong and raced under the name Seasons Wit.
Elkington Road as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
The son of Capitalist was picked up for $340,000 by James Harron Bloodstock from Northmore Thoroughbreds' 2021 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft.
“We’ve already had a couple of pretty handy horses emerge from earlier drafts. We sold Elkington Road and Eros, who is over in Hong Kong now.
“Northmore Thoroughbreds have had quite a number of winners. Elkington Road, Seasons Wit (Eros) and Super Friendship to name a few.
“We have also had a couple of nice winners recently that look very promising.”
