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.
Bryce Tankard was always a short-priced favourite to follow in the family footsteps and pursue a career in the thoroughbred world.
Father Ginger successfully owned and operated Waikato Bloodstock for many years and it was inevitable he would join him at the respected agency, but not before gaining a thorough grounding in other facets of the industry.
“I’m Cambridge born and bred and was schooled there and when I was about 12, I was going over to work at Highview Stud on weekends and in school holidays,” Bryce Tankard said.
“As soon as I left school, I was straight into the racing game and worked for Alan Jones out at Kaipaki.
“I was a general stable hand and rode a few in work and did that for a couple of years.”
Tankard subsequently headed across the Tasman to Melbourne to further his experience.
“I went over and had a stint at Flemington with John Meagher and then came back to New Zealand and worked at Roger Lang’s stable and after a while went into a training partnership with him,” he said.
Tankard enjoyed the 1994-95 season with the former top-class jockey before flying solo at Cambridge.
“I went out on my own and had quite a bit of success,” he said.
Among his more notable wins were the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) with Velasco, the Gr.3 Marton Metric Mile (1600m) with Dollars ‘N’ Gold and prepared Shatin Heights to claim the Listed Duke Of Norfolk Stakes (3200m) at Flemington.
Tankard handed in his licence after the 2007-08 season, having mixed training with Waikato Bloodstock since 2000.
“My Dad was working very closely then with Geoff Lane in Hong Kong,” he said.
“We were selling a lot of horses, and it got to the point where I had to concentrate on doing one or the other, I like to give anything I do 100 per cent.
“I had to decide whether I carried on training or move into bloodstock and at that stage my wife was pregnant, and we had some people interested in our property.
“I thought if ever there was a good time to get into the bloodstock side of things it was then, so we sold the farm and I started full-time.”
Tankard subsequently took over Waikato Bloodstock on his father’s retirement in 2010.
“Probably, 99 per cent of my clients are from Hong Kong and a lot of them I’ve been dealing with for many, many years and have become good friends,” he said.
“I also manage a lot of horses for overseas people who buy to race in New Zealand and Australia.”
From his Cambridge base, Tankard has been associated with multiple Group One victories in Hong Kong as well as on the domestic front and in Australia.
They include successes in the HK International Mile, Queen's Silver Jubilee HK Cup, Stewards’ Cup, Champions’ Mile, Hong Kong Derby, New Zealand Derby, Waikato Draught Sprint, Auckland Classic, NZ 2000 Guineas, Sires’ Produce Stakes, VRC Oaks, Diamond Stakes, Vinery Stud Stakes, Australian Derby, Caulfield Stakes and Caulfield Cup.
“I have been very fortunate and managed to buy some wonderful horses, very proud of the results achieved and always looking for the next good one,” Tankard said.
Q & A
Do you remember the first horse you bought?
“He was by Gold Brose and he had two trials in New Zealand and won one by 10 lengths. He was sold to Hong Kong and went from a rating of 52 to 110 in his first six starts up there, he won five of them and was a very smart horse called Super Brose.” He was a $27,000 purchase at Karaka.
Do you have any sale day superstitions?
“I do always try to park in the same spot at Karaka and have done since I first started going up there.”
Best horse you’ve ever bought or being associated with?
“Internationally, it would be Glorious Days (Hong Kong Mile) and locally it would be Mongolian Khan (Caulfield Cup, New Zealand Derby, Australian Derby).”
Best value for money purchase?
“Mongolian Khan was a $140,000 buy so he turned out to be very good value.”
Do you have a favourite nick/cross when sourcing yearlings?
“Not really, I take note of them and mark them on the catalogue page, but I am more looking for an athlete.”
Favourite current sire and of yesteryear?
“Per Incanto, you always have a good chance with one of his. Gold Brose was an exciting sire, and I used to like Cape Cross as well.”
Most memorable day at the races?
“It would be when Shatin Heights won the Duke Of Norfolk at Flemington. My Mum and Dad were involved in the ownership of the horse so that was a very special day.”
