This week in Dunstan Horse Feeds’ Meet the Breeder, we spoke with Josie and Graeme Reid, who, together with their daughter Kim — the trainer of Hi Yo Sass Bomb— celebrated her impressive victory in last Saturday’s Gr.3 Grangewilliam Stud Breeders’ Stakes.
Tell us the story of Hi Yo Sass Bomb
Kim made the choice of Complacent as the stallion after attending the Mapperley Stud Stallion Parade, and we’ve had wonderful success with that decision. When Hi Yo Sass Bomb (Complacent) won the Group 3 Grangewilliam Breeders’ Stakes at Hawera last weekend, it was a very special thrill — particularly to win such a race on home territory and with Grangewilliam as the sponsors.
We had also enjoyed success when she won the “Cuddle Stakes” in Wellington, sponsored by Wentwood Grange — who have long been our preferred agistment lodge. Several of our foals have been born there, which makes those wins even more meaningful.
We had recently sold her dam, but still have Wassup, our foundation mare, and Hi Yo Coco, a Shocking filly we rate very highly. Unfortunately, Coco had an accident and never raced, but she’s now at Grangewilliam to foal and will return to Hilal for a second time.
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
When I think back, I actually went to Karaka as a total greenhorn — just to have a look — and came home having bought a yearling filly! A friend of Kim’s came along, and funnily enough, the underbidder was Kevin Myers from Waverley, who I’d met just weeks earlier when selling heifers. I also knew the Filly was from Waverley, so he likely knew something about her.
Kim’s reaction when I brought her home was, “I hope she can run — you wouldn’t buy her on looks!” Luckily, that filly turned out to be Wassup, who became our foundation mare and the start of our breeding journey.
How many mares do you breed from?
We’ve found that one broodmare is enough for us. Over the years we’ve bought a few others, but Wassup and her daughters have kept us plenty busy.
What else do you have in your bloodstock portfolio?
At the moment, we have our mares, a few foals, and racehorses — all within the same family line. We like keeping things close and manageable.
Do you breed to race or breed to sell?
We mainly breed to race, though from time to time we sell. We made the decision to sell Hi Yo Soo, the dam of Hi Yo Sass Bomb, as we already had Wassup and Coco.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Yes, we do seek advice — and we’ve always found the team at Mapperley and Wentwood Grange helpful and knowledgeable. We were once told that the Al Akbar / Mr Illusion cross in our mares was quite a powerful one, and it has certainly proven true.
What’s the best breeding advice you’ve received?
That it’s not an industry to enter if you can’t afford to lose a dollar — but the joy the horses bring makes it all worthwhile.
What do you love about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
The joy we get is simply from having these beautiful animals in the paddock. To my eye, Hi Yo Sass Bomb has a real beauty about her. She’s been a trouble-free athlete from day one. Kim broke her in and nicknamed her “Sass” — it’s stuck ever since!
Kim now has her own property and paddock trains our horses there, which makes it a real family effort.
What advice would you give to someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Start small, learn as you go, and enjoy the horses. It’s a tough industry, but incredibly rewarding if you love the animals and the people around it.
Proudest moment as a breeder so far?
Saturday’s Group 3 win at Hawera would have to be right up there, alongside our first big Canterbury win years ago. I remember being treated like royalty that day — it was such a special event. Wins like that remind you why you do it!
