An unconventional path to the bloodstock world enabled Dylan Johnson to turn his passion into a career.
A forthright approach led to his first professional role in the breeding industry, and he subsequently landed a trusted position with one of country’s leading stables.
Johnson gained a start when he secured a role at Gerry Harvey’s Westbury Stud and that led to his current association with multiple Group 1-winning Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh.
“I was born and bred and grew up in Wellington and my story is probably a bit unique compared to most, as I wasn’t born into a racing family as such,” he said.
“My brother Nick and I would go out to Trentham, Grandad was a huge fan and Dad always had a small share in a horse. We loved going to the races.”
After finishing his schooling in the capital, Johnson took full-time employment with a large technology company.
“I got into ownership when I was working in Wellington with group of five guys and bought a number of horses and raced them in the Central Districts,” he said.
“I made the decision that this is what I wanted to do so I went about trying to find a job that suited my skills.”
Johnson’s first move was a bold one when he contacted three industry identities out of the blue.
“I just rang up Andrew Seabrook, Steve Davis and Michael Wallace, I didn’t know them at the time and sought them out,” he said.
“Andrew was running New Zealand Bloodstock, Steve obviously had a high profile in his role and Michael was a major agent in New Zealand at the time.
“I introduced myself and what I wanted to do, I met them and they were really helpful, especially Andrew who put me in touch with Russell Warwick and fortunately there was a position available.
“I started at Westbury Stud about 10 years ago as the Sales Manager and that involved assisting Russell at the yearling sales and promoting all the stallions and selling shares and nominations.
“For four years that proved to be a brilliant way to learn about the business and the horses, I met a lot of people.”
During his time at Westbury, Dylan Johnson Bloodstock was established.
“I launched my bloodstock agency and off the back of that I got to meet Stephen Marsh and he took me on board as the stable’s bloodstock consultant,” he said.
“It’s grown from there and Stephen is my main client and the first person to give me a break as an agent.
“It’s grown quickly and we’ve had great success, Stephen has been a great asset to me and so has his father Bruce, I’d credit most of my knowledge about horses and conformation to Bruce.
“Stephen is a pretty easy going and open to ideas and I probably brought more intensity to the operation and really ramped it up. He was receptive to that, and it’s been a relationship that works very well for both of us.”
Q & A
Do you remember the first horse you bought?
“It was a horse called Encierro ($110,000) and he was bought when I was still at Westbury and I put a lot good friends into him, he was the first horse that got Stephen and I going. He had a tendon issue, but we got him back and he won five in pretty quick succession.”
Are you superstitious?
“Not really, although I always put on my right shoe before the left. I have lucky ties and bits of clothing. I’m trying to say I’m not and Stephen will tell you I’m the worst.”
Best horse(s) you’ve ever bought or being associated with?
“Well Written ($80,000), Magic Carpet ($320,000) and Bourbon Empress ($80,000) are all Group winners and Glamour Tycoon ($220,000) is a dual stakes winner.”
Best value for money purchase?
“Probably Hitabell, I found her on the NZB Online Sale and paid $10,000 and she won the Eight Carat Classic. She was a real bargain buy.”
Do you have a favourite nick/cross when sourcing yearlings?
“I love Written Tycoon as a stallion and More Than Ready as a broodmare sire, he’s been phenomenal.”
Favourite current sire and of yesteryear?
“Written Tycoon is my favourite and Cape Cross, because if it wasn’t for him there would have been no Seachange and she’s my favourite ever horse.”
Most memorable day at the races?
“It would be Champions’ Day at Ellerslie when we won Group 1s with El Vencedor and Provence and won a third on the card with Tardelli.”
