From yearling sales to racing stables to bloodstock insurance, this self-confessed Elvis fan has enjoyed a varied and rewarding career in racing and bloodstock.
This week we find out more about Stuart Doughty
1. Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I am from Sydney and due to my fathers involvement (Warwick Doughty) and my Uncle’s involvement (Philip Esplin) I was exposed to the breeding and racing industry from a young age.
After this early exposure to the industry being both breeding and racing I developed an interest in both the horse and thoroughbred pedigrees. From the age of 14 I worked at my first Magic Millions and Inglis Easter sale and never missed out on those sales until the age of 18. Leading yearlings and getting to know the people and horses it was such a great way to get started and gave me confidence and a desire to dig deeper.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Stuart Doughty look like?
My day at Silks Insurance usually starts at 5am (following a coffee or two) as all thoroughbred insurance is placed into the London Market this gives me an opportunity to either email or phone my London broker or Underwriters to sort out any correspondence from the previous day due to the time zone differences.
Then following a morning walk and some home schooling with the children the day is spent on the phone talking and confirming coverage with clients along with confirming orders from clients to London. Then depending on the evening sometime after 6pm my day could involve more emails and phone calls to London to discuss any insurance orders from the day just gone.
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
Getting a little nostalgic but I originally fell in love with Mahogany he was just so versatile winning two Derbys and two Lightnings.
During my tenure as John O’Shea’s foreman, no doubt I have a soft spot for Private Steer winning the Doncaster and then backing up seven days later to win the All Aged Stakes was super exciting.
The way she won that Doncaster, beating Grand Armee after being last on the corner was just incredible. Perhaps it was the versatility of the horses back then that was so appealing.
4/Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
Every day at the races is a beauty (could do with one now let me tell you) a great story is when I was approx. 14 I found $20 on the ground in the members stand at Rosehill, I looked around and nobody claimed it and dad said I should have a bet with it.
I had the $20 for a win on Protara’s Bay (Ministerial x Apple Dapple) trained by Gai Waterhouse he was a beautiful grey horse. He won the race and I got the lot, I thought I was Kerry Packer, Protara’s Bay went on to become a clerk of the course so I got to thank him many more times.
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Billions, Seinfeld, Rick Stein’s Long Weekends and I really enjoyed Clarkson’s Farm.
6/ When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?
I’d just like to leave my LGA! Always wanted to have a look at Tasmania, great food and wine. Going abroad is great but having travelled a lot around Australia it really has so much to offer.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Anyone that knows me will agree that I love my food despite my athletic appearance! Can’t beat a good piece of fish (Omeros Brothers), Chinese (South Juniors), just about any Lebanese restaurant in Sydney!
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
I would like to select a really nice mare, choose a stallion, breed a foal and then race that foal to win at Randwick, I’ll educate the kids first but all going well I have plenty of time.
To keep working in this industry that I love until I retire and enjoy life with family and friends.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
The horse industry is about people and horses in that order.
Take care of the little things and the big picture will take of itself.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I love to sing Elvis songs, I sound more like him than he did!
Footnote: Stuart Doughty is not the only fan of Protara’s Bay as he was my pride and joy back in the days when I was a strapper / work rider for Gai Waterhouse.
I was strapping him that day he won and he remains dear to my heart. I have only one picture of a horse in my bedroom and it’s him!
