Photo: Trish Dunell
This week on Dunstan Horsefeeds’ ‘Meet the Breeder’, we caught up with Graham Bax, who bred and races Coniston with his wife Helen-Gaye under their Blandford Lodge banner. Following his Gr.2 James & Annie Sarten Memorial (1400m) victory, Coniston now heads towards the Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) as favourite.
1. Tell us the story of Coniston.
Coniston is in my racing portfolio because I have always wanted to breed and race a colt who could one day be good enough to become a stallion prospect. Obviously, this is a big dream, but it keeps me focused and involved in an industry I have been part of for 40 years.
I loved Wootton Bassett as a sire, and Coniston’s dam, Le Gai Soleil, comes from my foundation broodmare line, which has been a huge part of my breeding operation.
2. Tell us about your foundation mare and her influence on your breeding operation.
Polly Soleil is the reason I am still in the breeding business. She was my foundation mare and has provided many stakes-winning horses, which continue to come through year after year. If you look through her pedigree, you will see what I mean.
3. How many mares do you currently breed from?
Currently, I am breeding from 30 mares.
4. What else is included in your bloodstock portfolio (foals, racehorses, stallion shares, etc.)?
Most of my progeny are sold at the yearling sales, but I keep some for various reasons, including as replacements or because they have X-ray issues that prevent them from going to a sale.
Helen, Gaye and I had stallion shares in Savabeel, who was amazing, and Tavistock, whom I rate highly. I also retain interests in racehorses, including Coniston and Mr Miller.
5. Do you seek advice on your breeding decisions?
All mating decisions are discussed with my family, taking into account commercial appeal and, of course, the cost of the stallion we select.
6. What is the best breeding advice you have received?
[Not directly answered. Follow up for a specific piece of advice he has received.]
7. What do you love most about the thoroughbred breeding industry?
I love the industry because every day is different. There are plenty of lows, but when you get a high like Coniston, it makes everything worthwhile.
You also meet a lot of nice people. Blandford is a family operation, which keeps us involved together in an industry we all love.
8. What advice would you give someone entering the industry as a breeder?
There are ups and downs, but as a breeder, you have to be patient, work hard and have a passion for the game.
Seek advice from someone who is an outstanding breeder in the industry and take note.
9. Your proudest moment as a breeder so far?
My proudest moment would be seeing Lucia Valentina, whom my wife and I bred, win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a major Group One race in Australia.
There have been other special moments as well. I am looking forward to this weekend, when Mr Miller, a horse I bred and still part-own, competes in the Golden Eagle, a $10 million race in Australia.
10. Which mares would you love to have back in your broodmare band?
I would love to still have Polly Soleil and Staryn Glenn in my broodmare band, but their time has now passed.
