This week on Dunstan Horsefeeds Meet the Breeder, we caught up with Patricia Buckingham, who bred Enchantment, the winner of the Listed Property Brokers Welcome Stakes (1000m) last weekend at Riccarton Park.
Tell us the story of Enchantment
Clyde and I purchased Belle Fascino through Gavelhouse while she was still in work with Stephen Marsh. After buying her, we decided to continue racing her, and she went on to win the South Island Breeders’ Stakes, which was a fantastic result for us.
Following her racing career, we sent her to Hello Youmzain, and she has since produced three fillies. Enchantment is one of those, and it’s been very rewarding to see her go on and achieve success on the track.
How did you get into thoroughbred breeding?
My late husband Clyde and I got into breeding after the mare we raced with Kit Davison, Fanny Black, finished her racing career. That’s really where it all began for us, transitioning from racing into breeding.
How many mares do you currently breed from?
I currently breed from just one mare, Belle Fascino. Since Clyde passed away in August 2021, I’ve cut things right back. At that time, I had around 15 horses to manage, including mares in foal and racehorses, so it was a big adjustment. The support from the industry during that period was huge and made a real difference.
What else is included in your bloodstock portfolio (foals, racehorses, stallion shares, etc.)?
I hold shares in the stallions Almanzor and Hello Youmzain, which has been a great way to stay involved on the breeding side.
I’m also part of a racing partnership that started around 30 years ago. Currently, we have horses like Churchillian and Acesandspaces racing, and I also have a small share in Acapelago through Haunui Farm.
Over the years, we’ve had more than 140 horses, including mares, racehorses, and young stock, we also bred Sangster and Yearn a few of many so we’ve been very fortunate to have such a long and varied involvement in the industry.
Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
Yes, I do. I regularly consult with Mark at Haunui Farm and Scott at Cambridge Stud. Their guidance and experience are very valuable when making breeding decisions.
What is the best breeding advice you have received?
The best advice I’ve received is not to be afraid to ask questions. People in the industry are very willing to help, so it’s important to listen and learn.
Breeding also requires a lot of patience — it’s not something where you see immediate results, so you have to be prepared for that.
What do you love most about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
The people are what I love most. They come from all walks of life, and it’s a very inclusive industry in that sense. Anyone can breed a winner, which is part of what makes it so special.
What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
Start small. Breeding takes time, and it can be a long journey to get a horse from conception to the racetrack. Not many horses win at two, so patience is key — they often need time to develop and mature.
Your proudest moment as a breeder so far?
One of my proudest moments was breeding Lasarla. Clyde and I imported her dam, Imco Main, who had only won one race and Moira Murdock put a nomination in for the breeders, we were number seventeen on the ballot and got in on a scratching. Wow what a day that was!
It turned into an incredible day and one I’ll always remember.
