Cover image courtesy of Rosemont Stud
It was a conversation four years ago with his coach, Travis Robinson, at the Geelong St. Mary’s Football Club that would set Charlie Sprague on the path to being a part of the Rosemont Stud team. When Robinson asked what he wanted to do with his life on completion of his university studies, Sprague could only focus on one thing.
“My passion for the industry began when I was as young as I can remember,” Sprague told The Thoroughbred Report. Trips to the races were common, as his father owned shares in a number of horses, and Sprague vividly remembers seeing the form guide on the kitchen bench and being intrigued. While he had no hands-on experience with horses, the passion simmered away in the background, nonetheless.
Most of his sporting energy growing up was devoted to football, and Sprague worked his way up to VFL level, playing for the Geelong Falcons and drew significant interest from AFL recruiters in 2018. His local club, Geelong St Mary’s, was the catalyst for the fateful conversation with Robinson, who offered to lend Sprague a hand with his growing interest in the thoroughbred industry and put him in touch with an old friend, Rosemont’s stud principal Anthony Mithen.
Charlie Sprague playing AFL | Image courtesy of St Mary's Sporting Club Geelong
Foot in the door
After an interview with Mithen and a tour of the farm, Sprague was offered a summer role on the yearling team.
“Anthony was kind enough to take me on as part of the Rosemont yearling team and to send me to Magic Millions, even though I didn't have one bit of experience,” said Sprague. “Karen Sinclair (then-yearling manager) took me under her wing and taught me everything, from putting a headcollar on a horse to hand walking them around the farm, and everything in between.
“That three-month period really sparked my passion even more.”
“Anthony (Mithen) was kind enough to take me on as part of the Rosemont yearling team... That three-month period really sparked my passion even more.” - Charlie Sprague
The 2021 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale was a fruitful one for Rosemont Stud, presenting a draft of 22 yearlings with the top-priced lot being Counttheheadlights (I Am Invincible), a colt out of Tahni Dancer (Sebring) who was purchased by Ciaron Maher for $800,000, and was a debut winner as a 2-year-old before running fourth in the G3 Blue Diamond Prelude (Colts And Geldings).
A pair of yearlings still stand out in Sprague’s mind; a Deep Field colt out of Sarong (NZ) (Exceed And Excel) that would go on to be G3 Vo Rogue Plate winner Fashion Legend, and the filly North Star Lass (Zoustar) out of Sheila’s Star (Snitzel), who won the G2 Furious S.
“We also had a lovely Frankel colt,” Sprague recalled Rampant Lion (Frankel {GB}), who passed in and was raced by Rosemont as part of a large syndicate. “I believe he was the first stakes-placed 2-year-old over five furlongs for his sire.” The son of Furnival (USA) (Street Cry {Ire}) was third on debut in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial and followed it up with second in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview (Colts And Geldings).
Further studies
After the Gold Coast sale, Sprague returned to his studies, although he would head to Rosemont on his “odd days off” to work with the yearlings and on the spelling farm. It wouldn’t be long before he had the opportunity to return full-time, as the International Business degree he studied at Monash University required a six-month industry placement - and Sprague knew right where he wanted to go.
“They (Monash University) were pretty happy for students to source their own placements,” he said, who immediately approached Rosemont and was able to secure a placement working under their bloodstock manager, Ryan McEvoy.
“I undertook a range of projects including mating analysis for clients, a bit of pedigree research for upcoming sales, and getting to inspect our yearlings and do that at sales as well,” Sprague said. “That side of the business always intrigued me and it really opened my eyes. It was something I really enjoyed, and it helped lead me to where I am today.”
Come the end of his studies in mid 2022, Rosemont would come calling again.
“It worked out that when I completed my degree, with Rosemont continuing to grow and acquire new stallions, there was a job there that Anthony offered me in nominations and client relations,” Sprague said. “Which I obviously jumped at - what a fantastic opportunity. I must have made a good impression, and he was happy to invest in me!”
“It worked out that when I completed my degree there was a job there that Anthony offered me in nominations and client relations. Which I obviously jumped at - what a fantastic opportunity.” - Charlie Sprague
Now in his third breeding season with Rosemont, Sprague has grown increasingly comfortable in his nominations role but is always looking out for opportunities to develop his skills and knowledge further.
“(There is) the mating analysis aspect of the job, responding to enquiries by email or talking to our clients with mares on the farm. It’s a big part of the job prior to and during the season. I also handle the stallion contracts. There's always a few challenges to selling nominations and promoting your stallions, and it’s been good to learn different routes you can take and (to) make sure you’re always thinking outside the box. That first to fourth year with a stallion can be make or break (them) depending on the support you give them.
“Then it’s time for yearling sales, and I will be getting in touch with clients and making sure they know where to best place their yearlings,” he said. “I’ll be present at the sales, mainly on the cards, getting to know people and having a chat, and trying to sell our horses the best we can as well. Being on the cards, it's a good way to build connections.”
The excitement of Hanseatic
Sprague particularly enjoyed being present for the yearling sales earlier this year, where G3 Blue Sapphire S. winner Hanseatic, the stallion close to his heart, saw his first yearlings go through the ring. Entering stud in 2021, Hanseatic covered 197 mares in his first season and his first foals were born during Sprague's first full season with Rosemont.
Hanseatic | Standing at Rosemont Stud
“He (Hanseatic) came to the farm at a similar time to me,” said Sprague. “His first crop are going to the races now, and we’re very excited that we were able to support the stallion really well. He was the most popular first season sire ever in Victoria and the reports that we're getting from trainers are super positive, so hopefully they’re like their sire. (Peter) Moody has certainly got a few that he’s pretty keen on.
“He’s such a beautiful horse, a striking chestnut. Being able to sell a few nominations for him and seeing his yearlings go through the sales earlier this year was awesome, and we sold a couple of beauties. I’m looking forward to following them through their careers.
“He (Hanseatic) came to the farm at a similar time to me. He was the most popular first season sire ever in Victoria and the reports that we're getting from trainers are super positive...” - Charlie Sprague
“There was a colt we took to Magics,” he added, referring to the as of yet unnamed colt out of Group 3 winner Cameo (Shamardal {USA}), who was knocked down to Myracehorse, Anthony Freedman Racing, and Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) for $375,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. “He was one of those horses that looked like he was ready to have a saddle on him when he went through the sales ring, so he’s one I’ll keep a close eye on.”
Hanseatic’s debut runner will hit the track this weekend, as his daughter Rohesia will line for the Listed Inglis Banner 2YO S. on Saturday at Flemington. The daughter of Vinni Rose (I Am Invincible) was sold through Rosemont’s Inglis Premier Yearling Sale draft for $150,000 to Lindsay Park Racing and showed total control of her last jump-out at the beginning of the month.
Rohesia as a yearling | Image courtesy of Inglis
“Very exciting to have Hanseatic’s first runner (Rohesia) on Saturday, hopefully she can win!” Sprague said, who remembers the filly on farm. “She was a super straight forward yearling. She was always strong, very forward, and she handled her yearling prep with ease. Not surprising to see her going as a pre-Christmas 2-year-old.
“The (Lindsay Park) stable really like her from what I’ve heard, so fingers crossed.”
No magic algorithm
Looking ahead, for Sprague, there’s plenty to look forward to as someone still so new to the industry.
“Breeding, that’s definitely something I’d like to do,” said Sprague, although he admitted it was a “little while away yet” before he would be ready to invest himself in a broodmare. “I can see the enjoyment Anthony and Nigel (Austin) get out of breeding one and sending it to the racetrack, and (being) successful. It looks very rewarding. That’s the best you can get in the game, breeding one that wins a big race.
Connections of Nanagui (including Charlie Sprague) after winning the Listed Cap D'Antibes | Image supplied
“There’s no better feeling than being on the racetrack with the team and having a winner and seeing the enjoyment it brings everyone.”
He added, “I’m still figuring it all out. There’s a lot of different avenues (to take) in the industry, and I do really enjoy the breeding aspect to it. It’s a funny industry where no one has the magic algorithm to get a winner, so I find that part of the industry quite fascinating.
“It’s a funny industry where no one has the magic algorithm to get a winner, so I find that part of the industry quite fascinating.” - Charlie Sprague
“I’m really enjoying what I’m doing at the moment and I’m trying to learn as much as I can off the people around me. The more knowledge I can gain, the better.”
Parting words for others looking to get their foot in the door in the industry: “If you've got a passion or interest, make it known, and you never know who people might know and what contacts they have. Send an email, make a phone call. Everyone has been so welcoming and happy to help someone like me with no experience. I made a passing comment and it has led to where I am now.”
