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Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
Growing up on a sheep and beef farm in Tauranga, Jeffries’ father Warwick Jeffries delved into breeding on a small scale and was rewarded in a big way, breeding glamour mare Legarto out of his mare Geordie Girl.
Before she was a three-time Group One winner and $2 million earner, much of Legarto’s handling and early education was conducted by Jeffries, who took her through the sales ring at Karaka in 2021 where she was knocked down to Ancroft Stud for $90,000.
“Legarto was one of the first horses I took through from a baby to the sales, I did all of the handling with her and took her through the ring,” Jeffries said. “She was one of the first horses to really grab my attention in getting into the industry.”
Through that period, Jeffries was attending Lincoln University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce and Agriculture. Having had experience working in studs and at the yearling sales, she decided to apply for the Keith and Faith Taylor Family Trust Equine Scholarship, which led her to a six-month stint in Ireland.
“Dad has a few broodmares as a bit of a hobby so I had breeding in my background, but I didn’t think I would be working full-time in the industry until after uni,” she said.
“I did a Bachelor of Commerce and Agriculture at Lincoln, but following that, I didn’t see myself in any of the roles that it directly leads to, so I applied for the Keith and Faith Taylor Family Trust Equine Scholarship to go to the Irish National Stud.
“The scholarship gave me a really good foundation, I would recommend it to anyone wanting to go overseas and learn more about the breeding industry over there, while having a great time doing so.”
Just shy of a year ago, Jeffries entered her new role at Cambridge Stud, where she has been able to apply that knowledge with their large selection of young stock. She was recognised for her passion and contribution to the nursery when nominated for the Newcomer Award, and was grateful to be announced the winner, receiving the $10,000 prize from Entain.
“It was very rewarding because you put in a lot of effort, so it was really nice to be recognised at an industry level,” she said.
“The love of the horse is the main reason why I’m in this industry, and also, you’re able to do a lot, you can travel the world, meet lots of new people, and no two days are the same.
“Day to day at the moment, we are weanling handling, so mobs are coming in every week for handling, with things like having the farrier done. We’ll start to bring them on to grooming and getting them ready for that final yearling prep come the end of October to January.”
Cambridge Stud have committed to selling their yearlings solely at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale at Karaka next year, where Jeffries had a memorable experience this year, taking the farm’s draft-topping lot through the ring.
The colt, lot 628, by resident sire Sword Of State out of a stakes-winning I Am Invincible mare Fuld’s Bet was secured by Mulberry Racing for $540,000.
“The colt this year was our highest-priced yearling, and he was such a dude through his yearling prep and at the sales, so it was great to take him through the ring,” Jeffries said.
