The Bloodstock Agents’ Federation of New Zealand (BAFNZ) is the leading professional body representing accredited bloodstock agents across the country.
This series takes an in-depth look at the varying backgrounds of BAFNZ members and their work within the thoroughbred industry.
Phill Cataldo survived a tough apprenticeship before establishing himself as a successful bloodstock agent.
The first decade was a financial struggle, but hard graft and perseverance have subsequently been rewarded with multiple Group 1 victories across New Zealand, Australia and Asia.
“I was broke for about the first 10 years of doing it and got a little bit of traction by chasing every lead and was then lucky enough to get an introduction to Terry Henderson through Lee Freedman around the late 1990s, early 2000s,” Cataldo said.
“At the same time, I managed to get into the Waterhouse camp and that was definitely my big break.
“I think the second or third horse that they bought through me was Coco Cabanna, who won the Oaks and the Metropolitan.
“That has continued to this day and this year we had the Brisbane Cup winner Campaldino.”
In between times, Cataldo has sourced top-flight winners including Descarado (Caulfield Cup, Caulfield Stakes) and Herculian Prince (Metropolitan) for the stable.
“It’s been a long, ongoing successful association, and it’s a pleasure working with Rob and Gai Waterhouse,” he said.
Cataldo grew up in Wellington with his interest in racing sparked at an early age.
“My Dad Johnny owned horses in partnership with the Muollo brothers, so I was a regular racegoer,” Cataldo said.
“In the school holidays I would go to the stables wherever the horses were trained and work there and do race day duties.
“My Dad was in the fishing business with the Muollos and they’ve gone on to bigger and greater things with their sons Luigi, who has Novara Park, and Tony is one of the biggest private owners in Australia.”
After finishing his education, Cataldo joined the family firm before changing career tack.
“I got an introduction to some guys from Hong Kong that were looking for horses in New Zealand, and it really went from there,” he said.
“I established my bloodstock business in 1995 and at that stage I was married and living on the Kapiti Coast. My father-in-law was Bill Wyllie and he was a big help in getting me started.”
In 2015, Cataldo made the decision to move north to Cambridge to further his imposing record of having, so far, bought 28 individual Group 1 winners of 45 Group 1 races.
“Normally, I would buy between 20 and 30 yearlings a year for clients, but the tried horse market through trials and racehorses, is my core business,” he said.
“It’s more difficult now, the tried horses are harder to find and much harder to buy. The people that own the horses now have been through the hard times, there was a period when the stake money was low and costs were high.
“There were less horses coming into the system, more syndicated horses which are harder to buy and the foal crop has dropped.
“When I was coming up to the Waikato 10 years ago to a big trial day at Cambridge or Te Aroha, there might be between five and 10 horses available to buy on the day and now you might be lucky if there’s one or two.”
Technology has also had a major effect on doing business in the tried horse market.
“On race day and trial day now, the races are on the internet within 15 minutes and there’s buyers from Australia and Asia on the websites and as soon as something puts its hand up, they are straight on the phone to the owner or trainer,” Cataldo said.
“Of course, when they’re doing that, they can’t see the horse in the flesh and that’s to my advantage.
“I’m Johnny on the spot and I’ve built up a lot of contacts and have a proven track record.”
Q & A
Do you remember the first horse you bought?
“It was called Superfluous off Allan Sharrock and he went to Hong Kong and won three or four races up there.”
Do you have any sale day superstitions?
“Not really, it’s all about the athlete for me and I buy on type rather than pedigree. When you look at the horse, you have to weigh up whether will they stand up to vigorous training and stay sound and have some longevity.”
Best horse you’ve ever bought or being associated with?
“Definitely it’s Mr Brightside with his record and I think I’m Thunderstruck was every bit as good as him, but he got cut down in his prime.”
Best value for money purchase?
“Probably Gingernuts, I paid $5000 for him as a weanling and Mr Brightside was $22,000 so I should have kept him for myself!”
Do you have a favourite nick/cross when sourcing yearlings?
“I love High Chaparral in a pedigree, whether it be the sire line or dam line, that’s something I tend to gravitate to.”
Favourite current sire and of yesteryear?
“At the moment I’m a fan of Ace High and I think the best is yet to come for him. Of the younger brigade, I think Circus Maximus is a really good chance.”
Most memorable day at the races?
“Probably the day that Vin DeDance won the New Zealand Derby. Jason Waddell’s family and mine have been lifelong friends and Terry Henderson was there as well.”
