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.
Marcus Corban was a spectator when the first chapters of the rich Cambridge Stud story were written before becoming a central character in the nursery’s rise to domination.
He was to spend four decades working alongside Sir Patrick Hogan with the last 30 years as Stud Manager at the home of the champion father and son stallion duo of Sir Tristram and Zabeel.
“It was great and taught me an awful lot and met so many fantastic people,” Corban said.
“I will always be incredibly grateful to Sir Patrick Hogan, I worked with some amazing horses and people during my time there and formed friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Corban is currently enjoying his latest role as Bloodstock Manager for the powerful Te Akau operation, but it was in education that he first considered a professional career.
“I lived in Hamilton and in my teenage years I got into horses through my uncle Harry Skinner, who was an owner-trainer at Avondale, and I used to go and help him out, that’s how I got started,” he said.
“I had finished school and was going to go to Teachers’ College and then at my uncle’s funeral I met a guy who knew Jim Shannon and ended up getting a job at Waikato Stud.”
Shannon was a prominent Melbourne-based bloodstock agent and consultant who introduced Nelson Bunker Hunt to racing and breeding in Australasia, the Texas oilman who established Waikato Stud in the mid-1960s.
“I spent two and a-half years there and at that time they had Decies, Diagramatic, Brigand, Barcus and Kevin Old was the trainer, and Bert Sweeney was the stud manager,” said Corban, who subsequently travelled overseas.
“I went to Ireland to work for (studmaster) Captain Rogers and came back and did a yearling prep for David Benjamin and watched Patrick (Hogan) at the sales with the first crop of Sir Tristram and the rest is history.”
Corban joined Cambridge Stud in 1981 and during his tenure the farm dominated the National Yearling Sales, including the sale of a son of Zabeel at Karaka for $3.6 million and as Don Eduardo the colt won the G1 AJC Derby.
The late Sir Patrick sold the world-renowned stud in 2017 Corban stayed on for a period to assist the new owners.
“I did a two-year-old transition with Brendan and Jo (Lindsay), helping to build the stables, service area and foaling unit etc and enjoyed that,” he said.
“I went out on my own after that as a bloodstock agent and also did six months with Yulong, in the middle of COVID, doing projects and finishing off the farms. It was a good experience.”
In 2022, the Cambridge-based Corban joined David Ellis’ Te Akau team.
“I’ve done four sales series with them so far, DC is the boss and Mark Walker has a big input along with Reece Trumper, Joe Walls helps with pedigrees and the vets are very important,” he said.
“It’s a big team effort and I pass on a lot of information to DC and he makes all the calls. We see every horse and it’s a great experience.
“I give breeding advice to lots of people and help select stallions, it’s all part of the package with Te Akau and clients.
“It’s great to be part of the Te Akau set-up, it’s a very well-run operation and the results speak for themselves.”
Q & A
Do you remember the first horse you bought?
“Gene (Tsoi) bought Seascay (for $50,000) with Rob McAnulty and I was instrumental in that.” He was a subsequent multiple Group 1 winner and million-dollar earner for Hong Kong doctor Tsoi, whose bloodstock portfolio was managed by Corban.
Do you have any sale day superstitions?
“I like to do all the homework and never show our (Te Akau) hand. If DC leaves me to buy a horse I go and hide behind a pillar. It’s different at Karaka where he sits, it’s a fortress for him.”
Best horse you’ve ever bought or being associated with?
“Elegant Fashion (A$95,000) would be the best.”
Best value for money purchase(s)?
“I bought a mare off Dave Smith called Committee Decision for Gene for about $6000 and inside was a $480,000 Rodgrigo De Triano. There was also a mare I bought for Patrick called La Quinta Gold for $30,000 and she had also a couple of million dollars’ worth of yearlings.”
Do you have a favourite nick/cross when sourcing yearlings?
“I love to have double ups of Zabeel, Sir Ivor and Sadlers Wells. They have to have the physical, but I do love the proven crosses like O’Reilly and Tavistock’s a younger one and I think Medaglia D’Oro will be a great broodmare sire.”
Favourite current sire and of yesteryear?
“I’m really a big fan of Super Seth, I think he can be the real deal and obviously Zabeel.”
Most memorable day(s) at the races?
“When Elegant Fashion won the Triple Crown at Moonee Valley.”
