Scott and Kathy Robertson on right track

Even though Saturday's Australian Pacing Gold Sale at Sydney was a disappointment to many harness racing vendors with the drop in the average price especially amongst the colts, leading commercial vendors Scott and Kathy Robertson weren't amongst them.

In the context of a sale that went backwards overall, Scott and Kathy made a big statement with a lovely draft of well bred, beautifully prepared yearlings that were keenly sought after by the buyer's bench. 

Harnesslink sat down with Scott at the end of the Sydney sale on Saturday to learn more about the couple who have had such an impact on the breeding scene in Sydney.

Harnesslink – When did you first get involved in the breeding industry in New South Wales.

Scott – We only got into the breeding industry five or six years ago to be honest.

We invested in a lovely property and thought we knew what we were doing but it has been a steep learning curve from then to where we are today.

In the early days we had our butt handed to us a few times at the sales but you soon learn that it is not what you think is important, it what the market thinks that is critical.

Once we got that sorted, we started to make a lot of progress.

Harnesslink – You are very focussed on the feeding regimes for all your yearlings

Scott – We firmly believe that the feeding regime that we use with our yearlings is what separates them from the competition.

We sold nine at the sales last year and seven have made it to the track at either races or trials at two and we are convinced our feeding regime is a big part of that success.

We spare no expense in growing that yearling through to the yearling sales and are convinced that our feeding programme is the key to how our yearlings perform and their longevity as racehorses.

We believe it is the most important part of the jigsaw of what makes a successful racehorse.

Harnesslink – What are things you look for in a mare for your broodmare band.

Scott – Our aim long term is for all mares to be black print mares both on the track and in the breeding barn if possible.

It is not always achievable but it remains the aim for mares we buy

If you are targeting the top end of the market like we are then the mares need to be of the highest quality.

We are aiming at this stage to keep the number around ten for the foreseeable future.

We have both Northern Velocity 1:58.9 ($149,449) and Classical Art 1:54.5 ($91,578) set to join our broodmare band in the future and they are both high quality well performed mares that would be a welcome addition to anyone's broodmare band.

Harnesslink – What stallions did you use in the last breeding season

Scott – We covered nine mares last season and six of those went to the champion sire in Bettor's Delight with one each to Art Major, Mach Three and American Ideal.

If you want to sell at the top end of the market, the stallions you use need to be the best available.

Harnesslink  –  Do you take many home from the sales?

Scott – No, that is the last thing we want to do.

Our yearlings are here to be sold and the buyers need to have the confidence that you a genuine seller.

I am always open to negotiation on any of our yearlings that are passed in below their reserve price on the day and can usually get a deal done.

Harnesslink – No thoughts of expansion down the track

Scott – The five year plan which we have just started has us buying more land at the end of that period and expanding our broodmare band towards twenty.

My son is very keen on the industry and that long term expansion is to accommodate him joining the operation on a full time basis.

Harnesslink – Thanks for your time Scott and we will touch base in the future to see how things are going.

Harnesslink Media