Skip to main content
TDN AusNZ Podcast

TDN AusNZ Podcast

By Thoroughbred Daily News AusNZ

Thoroughbred Daily News Australia and New Zealand bring you Connections Cast. Weekly conversations, discussions and entertainment on the bloodstock, racing and breeding industries hosted by Gus Roland.
Available on
Apple Podcasts Logo
Castbox Logo
Google Podcasts Logo
Pocket Casts Logo
RadioPublic Logo
Spotify Logo
Currently playing episode

Episode 29: Mike de Kock

TDN AusNZ PodcastApr 10, 2022

00:00
49:41
Annuals: Episode 9 - 1997/98, Might and Millions

Annuals: Episode 9 - 1997/98, Might and Millions

New season, new champions, new owners. 1997/98 was a watershed in many ways, as the Danehill juggernaut hit a speed bump, the Cups King went international and an upstart sales company got a new start. Cambridge Stud finally found an heir to its iconic breed shaper, Sir Tristram and Inglis finally had a legitimate threat to its hegemony in Australia.

Aug 07, 202253:05
Annuals: Episode 8 - 1993/94, Breed shapers and botulism

Annuals: Episode 8 - 1993/94, Breed shapers and botulism

TDN Australia and New Zealand’s look back at the 1993/94 season takes in the emergence of the first crop of inarguably the world’s greatest ever shuttle stallion. The results of these first runners helped put an industry back on its feet after the financial crash and survive a mystery ailment that almost derailed the season’s biggest yearling sale.

Jul 30, 202246:38
Annuals: Episode 7 - 1993/94, They've arrived

Annuals: Episode 7 - 1993/94, They've arrived

A new season, more history. 1993/94 finds a racing and breeding industry clawing its way back. The first, and so far only, crop of a highly touted shuttle stallion have just turned three. Meanwhile, the Victoria Racing Club is racing the clock to execute a bold new strategy for Australasia’s premier thoroughbred contest.

Jul 24, 202248:52
Annuals: Episode 6 - 1989/90, The shuttle takes flight

Annuals: Episode 6 - 1989/90, The shuttle takes flight

In the final part of a retrospective of racing and breeding season 1989/90, there are more tectonic shifts to an industry in transition. As the industry battles with a looming recession, shrewd investors take a punt on a relatively new concept - dual hemisphere stallion duties.

Jul 17, 202249:56
Annuals: Episode 5 - 1989/90, The Night of the Stars

Annuals: Episode 5 - 1989/90, The Night of the Stars

The 1989/90 racing and breeding season takes an incredible twist, as Inglis and Wrightson's join forces for a unique ‘fire sale’. Plus, an Australasian Champion Sire graces the track and an all-time great trainer announces he will retire.

Jul 10, 202243:21
Annuals: Episode 4 - 1989/90, The Crash

Annuals: Episode 4 - 1989/90, The Crash

Season 1989/90 opens with an industry under a cloud. A number of leading training and breeding operations are close to oblivion and it is only through extraordinary measures that they can be rescued. What led to the catastrophic downturn in the Australian bloodstock market at the end of the eighties?

Jul 03, 202245:39
Annuals: Episode 3 - 2007/08, The Darley Deal

Annuals: Episode 3 - 2007/08, The Darley Deal

Racing and breeding season 2007/08 takes another turn as a global force ‘supersizes’ its involvement in Australian racing, in one grand move. As Easter gets underway, Nathan Tinkler has company at the top of the buyers list, for the first time since he burst onto the scene in early 2008.

Jun 26, 202252:39
Annuals: Episode 2 - 2007/08, Patinack Rising

Annuals: Episode 2 - 2007/08, Patinack Rising

The extraordinary 2007/08 racing and breeding season continues as Equine Influenza moves the goalposts for the nations best horses. Plus, yearling sales season makes a belated start and a new force joins the buying bench with a flourish unlike any seen before, or since.

Jun 19, 202245:11
Annuals: Episode 1 Pilot - 2007/08 Part 1, Equine Influenza

Annuals: Episode 1 Pilot - 2007/08 Part 1, Equine Influenza

A look back on the spring of 2007 and the virus that brought the Australian racing and breeding industry to the brink of ruin. Featuring recollections from those on the front lines and an exploration of the ongoing ripple effects of the outbreak.

Jun 12, 202251:12
Episode 36: Stuart Ramsey

Episode 36: Stuart Ramsey

In the final episode of Season 1 of Connections Cast, Gus Roland is joined by beef baron and ex-auctioneer Stuart Ramsey, who has achieved a wealth of success in the breeding and racing caper through his renowned Hunter Valley-based Turangga Farm operation.

May 29, 202252:10
Episode 35: Georges Rimaud

Episode 35: Georges Rimaud

International bloodstock manager Georges Rimaud, who manages the Aga Khan Stud's Haras de Bonneval in France where Siyouni stands, shares his learnings on thoroughbred breeding on this week's episode of Connections Cast.

May 22, 202201:01:20
Episode 34: John North

Episode 34: John North

Practical and pragmatic, highly respected studmaster John North chats with Gus Roland about old fashioned management techniques, the excitement of standing D'Argento and the evolution of Bowness Stud.

May 15, 202249:45
Episode 33: Rodney Schick

Episode 33: Rodney Schick

Lessons on stallion management from Star Way, the relationship with Coolmore and excitement for the future of Windsor Park, are the topics covered in the latest Connection’s Cast with Rodney Schick.

May 08, 202254:30
Episode 32: Angus Gold

Episode 32: Angus Gold

A familar and popular figure to the Australian bloodstock community, Shadwell’s long-serving Racing Manager Angus Gold is featured in an extended and wide-ranging discussion.

May 01, 202201:13:56
Episode 31: Paul Moroney

Episode 31: Paul Moroney

As well as being of one of Australasia's most respected bloodstock agents, Paul Moroney is a five-time Group 1-winning trainer, racing presenter and journalist and data pioneer who has experienced a rich racing life.

Apr 24, 202201:00:40
Episode 30: John Kelly

Episode 30: John Kelly

This week's Connections Cast is John Kelly, the fourth generation of his family on Newhaven Park. In a wide-ranging chat with Angus Roland, John shares his insight on Newhaven's current stallion strategy after the purchase of Mo'unga, the history of the property and the Kelly family's involvement, the great horses to have emerged off the farm and the plans for the future.

Apr 17, 202246:30
Episode 29: Mike de Kock

Episode 29: Mike de Kock

In this week's episode of Connections Cast, host Angus Roland chats to Champion South African trainer Mike de Kock about his extraordinary global success, the stars that catapulted him to that glory, the progress of his son Mathew in Australian training ranks and the challenges facing South African and Australian racing.

Apr 10, 202249:41
Episode 28: Easter Panel - Paul Messara, Hubie de Burgh & Mark Newnham

Episode 28: Easter Panel - Paul Messara, Hubie de Burgh & Mark Newnham

In an Inglis Easter Yearling Sale special, Gus Roland is joined by bloodstock agent Hubie de Burgh, Arrowfield Stud's Paul Messara and Randwick trainer Mark Newnham to discuss the sales market, yearling buying and conformation lessons.

Apr 03, 202253:02
Episode 27: Terry Henderson

Episode 27: Terry Henderson

The recent G1 Golden Slipper S. saw OTI have its first-ever G1 Golden Slipper S. runner, Lady Laguna (Overshare), something that spoke more to Terry Henderson's eye for an opportunity than it did to a sudden change of strategy. In this week's episode of Connections Cast, host Angus Roland speaks to OTI Racing's Henderson, who has built a successful business out of sourcing star horses from all over the world and racing them in the best races. 

Mar 27, 202201:01:37
Episode 26: Lance O'Sullivan

Episode 26: Lance O'Sullivan

Champion jockey, now top trainer, charismatic kiwi Lance O’Sullivan relives some of the top moments of his career, from Surfer’s Paradise to Horlicks and some of his best wins, from Cox Plates to Treasure Island.

Mar 20, 202257:40
Episode 25: Neville Begg

Episode 25: Neville Begg

Australian Racing Hall of Famer Neville Begg, a man with more than 75 years’ immersed in the racing industry which means he not only knows of the industry legends, both horse and human, but was alongside so many of them.

Mar 13, 202249:11
Episode 24: Sir Peter Vela

Episode 24: Sir Peter Vela

Born in Croatia, settled in New Zealand, the life of fisherman, horse breeder and sale company owner, Sir Peter Vela, has been varied in scope while consistently successful, from Ethereal to Darci Brahma.

Mar 06, 202247:45
Episode 23: Duncan Grimley

Episode 23: Duncan Grimley

An interest in racing as a punter in his late teens and evolved to develop some of Australia’s greatest bloodstock enterprises, Gus talks a walk through the commercial bloodstock history of Australia, and discusses the host of key senior roles occupied by Grimley throughout his career.

Feb 27, 202201:04:05
Episode 22: Denise Martin

Episode 22: Denise Martin

With Star Thoroughbreds nearing 30 years since establishment, Gus caught up with the leading lady of syndications, Denise Martin, to hear about growing up in Tasmania, how the brand is powered by an elite standard of customer service, and the stories behind Star’s best horses.

Feb 20, 202201:04:10
Episode 21: David Ellis

Episode 21: David Ellis

A pioneer in syndications, David Ellis has made his mark on the New Zealand racing scene like few others. David talks to Gus about his path to Te Akau and what it takes to achieve dominant success year after year.

Feb 13, 202247:11
Episode 20: Bryan Guy

Episode 20: Bryan Guy

This week's episode of Connections Cast features legendary trainer Bryan Guy, as he reflects on a glittering career after retiring on Saturday. Guy talks us through the decision to step away after 30 years of running his own stable.  

Feb 06, 202253:50
Episode 19: Antony Thompson

Episode 19: Antony Thompson

In a wide-ranging chat, Antony Thompson talks about the pressure of running a business with such a remarkable history, the many star stallions he has worked with at Widden, and the deals that were done, as well as a couple of the ones that got away.

Jan 30, 202201:05:12
Episode 18: Bill Mitchell

Episode 18: Bill Mitchell

In this week's Connections Cast, Angus Roland talks to Bill Mitchell about his amazing career. Emerging from one of the most revered families in the Australian thoroughbred industry, he became one of the country's most respected trainers, before embarking on a stellar career as a bloodstock agent, including his current tenure with Mitchell Bloodstock.

Jan 10, 202251:23
Special Edition: 2021 end of year Quizcast

Special Edition: 2021 end of year Quizcast

Test your international racing knowledge with a Connections Quizcast! 

Special guests include: Tubba Williams, Jonathan D’Arcy, Emma Berry & Joe Bianca.

Dec 30, 202151:45
Episode 17: Steve Davis

Episode 17: Steve Davis

Not for the first time in his career, popular auctioneer and media personality Steve Davis takes centre stage. In this week’s episode of Connections Cast, the Kiwi takes us through his unorthodox journey from teachers' college to the sale ring.

Dec 19, 202158:04
Episode 16: Peter Orton

Episode 16: Peter Orton

This week's episode of Connections Cast features an extended chat with Peter Orton, the General Manager at Vinery Stud, talking through his thoroughbred career, from a youth growing up on horseback, to his time with John Messara at Middlebrook Park and Arrowfield, to his long tenure at Vinery, which he has developed into one of Australia's most successful thoroughbred operations.

Dec 12, 202101:01:36
Episode 15: Justin Bahen

Episode 15: Justin Bahen

This week we catch up with Justin Bahen, an accomplished bloodstock agent who packed his bags for Hong Kong in 2008, returning this year to base himself out of Melbourne. Bahen talks about the nuances of the Asian market, finding stars in many places and life as an agent on the road. 

Dec 05, 202159:10
Episode 14: Sam Fairgray

Episode 14: Sam Fairgray

This week's episode of Connections Cast features Yulong's Chief Operating Officer Sam Fairgray about his extraordinary career path which began at Hallmark and Ra Ora Studs in New Zealand and now sees him as the man charged with spearheading the Australian operations of Yuesheng Zhang's rising global powerhouse.

Nov 28, 202152:39
Episode 13: European Mares - Damon Gabbedy and Anthony Mithen

Episode 13: European Mares - Damon Gabbedy and Anthony Mithen

With breeding stock sales already underway in Europe and major mare sales taking place at Tattersalls and Arqana in the next few weeks, Connections Cast has brought together Australia's Arqana representative and respected bloodstock agent Damon Gabbedy as well as prolific European mare buyer Anthony Mithen of Rosemont Stud about the dos and don'ts about buying in England and Europe, what to look for in a prospective broodmare for the Australian market and the broodmare sires which they believe are worth banking on going forward.

Nov 21, 202156:41
Episode 12: Trailbazers - Gai Waterhouse & Annabel Neasham

Episode 12: Trailbazers - Gai Waterhouse & Annabel Neasham

This week's special episode of Connections Cast features two trainers who are at the opposite ends of their careers, but are major influencers in the Australian thoroughbred industry, Gai Waterhouse and Annabel Neasham. The two share their experiences of being trailblazers in their respective generations, what they have learned along the way and what they look for in a horse.

Nov 14, 202154:22
Episode 11: Olly Tait

Episode 11: Olly Tait

From Cootamundra to Sydney, Newmarket, Lexington, and back to Cootamundra, popular Twin Hills Stud owner Olly Tait takes us through valuable insights of a global life in the thoroughbred bloodstock industry.

Nov 07, 202101:03:60
Episode 10: Mate vs Mate - James Bester & Peter O'Brien

Episode 10: Mate vs Mate - James Bester & Peter O'Brien

This week's edition of Connections Cast pairs Segenhoe Stud General Manager Peter O'Brien and leading bloodstock agent James Bester in a much-anticipated version of our Mate vs Mate format. Both men began their careers on the other side of the world, O'Brien in Ireland and Bester in South Africa, but they have both played major roles in the success of the Australian bloodstock industry.

Oct 31, 202101:15:53
Episode 9: The US mares panel - Craig Rounsefell, Barry Bowditch, Jon Freyer & Andrew Williams

Episode 9: The US mares panel - Craig Rounsefell, Barry Bowditch, Jon Freyer & Andrew Williams

American-bred mares have become more and more influential in Australian racing in recent years, with eight per cent of Australian Group 1 winners since the start of last season being out of American-bred dams. In a special edition of the Connections Cast, host Angus Roland has assembled an expert panel to give their insights on buying mares out of the United States ahead of the upcoming sales in November at Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland, featuring Craig Rounsefell, Andrew Williams, Jon Freyer and Barry Bowditch.

Oct 24, 202143:36
Episode 8: The 2-year-old Sale Panel - Kim Waugh, Blake Ryan, Peter Twomey & Eoin Kemp

Episode 8: The 2-year-old Sale Panel - Kim Waugh, Blake Ryan, Peter Twomey & Eoin Kemp

With the opening breeze-up sale of the 2-year-old season, the Inglis Ready2Race Sale, a week away and the Magic Millions and New Zealand Bloodstock sales to follow in the next month, TDN AusNZ Connections Cast has brought together a panel of trainers, agent and vendors to discuss the secret to sourcing success.

Oct 17, 202143:52
Episode 7: Mark Chittick

Episode 7: Mark Chittick

This week's guest is Waikato Stud principal, Mark Chittick. Mark and Gus get into detail on the business of stallion deals, managing tricky-mannered  stallions, the journey of Waikato Stud, plus how racing prepared him for some of life’s greatest challenges.

Oct 10, 202101:04:49
Episode 6: Mate vs Mate - James Harron and Bruce Slade

Episode 6: Mate vs Mate - James Harron and Bruce Slade

Two high-achieving friends James Harron and Bruce Slade trade blows on many topics from favourite horses, industry mentors, horse selection and boot camps!

Oct 03, 202159:29
Episode 5: Arthur Mitchell

Episode 5: Arthur Mitchell

This week's guest is Yarraman Park's Arthur Mitchell, who reflects on the amazing journey of star stallion I Am Invincible as well as his own long and storied career in the thoroughbred industry.

Sep 26, 202151:12
Episode 4: Mate vs Mate - Darren Beadman & Ronnie Quinton

Episode 4: Mate vs Mate - Darren Beadman & Ronnie Quinton

old friends Darren Beadman & Ron Quinton face off on the best stallions they’ve ridden, riding around the world and knowledge of each other!

Sep 19, 202154:15
Episode 3: Suman Hedge

Episode 3: Suman Hedge

on succeeding against the odds, the need for strong mentors and the value of perspective.

Sep 12, 202157:38
Episode 2: The Panel - Julian Blaxland, John O'Shea, Andrew Baddock and Brent Taylor

Episode 2: The Panel - Julian Blaxland, John O'Shea, Andrew Baddock and Brent Taylor

The panel debate their stallion picks and mating theories for the 2021 season focusing on the freshman class over $20,000 and under $20,000, emerging sires and the proven brigade.

Sep 05, 202158:37
Episode 1: Richard Freedman

Episode 1: Richard Freedman

Richard Freedman on winning Slippers, Shakespearean family dynamics, eating old burgers and paint off the walls, plus; what a lifetime supply of beer looks like.

Aug 29, 202101:08:19