This week on Dunstan Horse Feeds’ Meet the Breeder, we also caught up with Karen Stewart, the breeder behind Noble Knight, who claimed victory in the Listed Positive Signs + Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m) last Saturday.
Tell us the story of Noble Knight
Growing up in Wingatui, my favourite horse in my father’s racing team was a liver chestnut mare called Tranquil Flight. She was one of a few horses Dad trained for the late Mr W.G. Jefferies, and I instantly became a fan of the Flight breed.
Fast forward a few years, and I didn’t need any convincing when my husband Wayne and I were offered a mare by Noble Bijou called Capital Flight. We bred eight foals from her and seven of them were winners, including the stakes performers Flight Captain and Royal Flight.
Flight Arrival was one of the seven we bred. We raced her and, once retired, bred her to Ghibellines. The resulting foal was Noble Knight.
How did you get into breeding?
You could say I was born in a stable. My father Brian Anderton was a jockey, a studmaster and, currently at the age of 89, is still a horse trainer.
He established White Robe Lodge 70 years ago and was ably assisted by my late mother Lorraine. My grandfather, the late Hector Anderton, was also a trainer and breeder, and growing up I spent a lot of time with him.
Between the two of them, they taught me a lot.
How many mares do you currently breed from?
Wayne and I have four mares of our own, along with another eight in partnership with our youngest son Jack and his wife Emma. We also have one mare in partnership with my oldest son Ricky, his partner Jo, and Jack and Emma.
In addition, we have two pony mares with foals at foot. They descend from a lovely pony named Blaze that I was lucky enough to own growing up.
What else is included in your bloodstock portfolio?
Over the last couple of years we have actively tried to upgrade our broodmare band.
We have purchased mares by Pride of Dubai, Redoute’s Choice, Zoffany, Deep Field, Savabeel and Ocean Park. This season we have also leased a Per Incanto mare who is in foal to Savabeel.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Mainly from my husband Wayne. We sound each other out on a lot of things. Obviously in an operation like ours, we bounce ideas off each other within the family.
What is the best breeding advice you’ve received?
I learnt a lot from my father and grandfather. They were always supportive and offered sound advice.
A good quote from my grandfather, said a little tongue-in-cheek but one that clearly sticks in my mind, was:
“Always shake their hand on the way up because no one will shake your hand on the way down.”
What do you love most about the Thoroughbred industry?
First and foremost, the horses. Without them we wouldn’t have an industry.
I also love the great people you meet and the places the industry takes you. New Zealand-bred horses — and people alike within our industry — hold their own on the world stage.
We live in an amazing country, and our environment gives us a head start in producing top-class horses and horse people.
What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Decide whether you want to be a commercial breeder or a hobby breeder. Do your homework and set realistic goals.
If needed, seek help — there is a lot of knowledge within our industry.
One thing I have learnt over the years regarding horses and life in general is that you never know everything. You need to have an open mind and you can always learn something new.
Your proudest moment as a breeder so far?
There have been a few. Sometimes minor success after some pretty big road bumps can be very rewarding and satisfying.
But on paper, Wayne and I breeding the Bev and Ken Kelso-trained Envoy to win the Wellington Cup when it was still a Group 1 was very special. Seeing him run in the Melbourne Cup was also an incredible experience.
If you could breed from any past or present mare and stallion, who would they be?
A foal by the legendary Sir Tristram out of my late grandmother’s Group 1-winning mare Powley would certainly fill my bucket.
