A Kiwi horseman with a passion for golf has the coveted job of looking after the most expensive stallion in the country.
This week we find out more about Michael Morton, Stallion Manager at Yarraman Park.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
Levin, which is a town located in lower end of the North Island in New Zealand. Mid way through high school I went to a parent teacher interview with Dad, and the Dean asked what I wanted to do when I finished school.
I said had no idea and she asked what I liked to do, being smart I said punting at the races with Dad. She suggested maybe horses should be something I looked into, so with school holidays starting Dad approached local horse trainer Ilone Kelly and thankfully Ilone took me on. I spent three years in the racing industry before I moved on to stud work.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Michael Morton look like?
During the season my morning starts a 5.30, and it’s pretty much the same routine every day.
I live right next to the stallions at Yarraman, so a short walk over to Vinnie and Hellbent. Give them a quick check over and a tidy up, then get the breeding barn ready for 6am covers.
They are both great horses to work with in the breeding barn and don’t waste any time.
They go out after covers and I like to leave them be until the next breeding session at 11am.
Break for some lunch, then head back over and bring the boys in for a groom. 4pm covers quickly come round and then it’s rugs on and feed up time.
I head home to either chill out or quickly head to town for nine holes of golf. Then most nights it’s back to at 8.30 for night covers at 9pm. I’m usually in bed by 10pm.
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
Tough! I’d have to give you two. My favourite racehorse was a kiwi horse called Tit For Taat. He was a horse that I can remember when I was 11 or 12. He was a multiple Group I winner and was so tough, he’d never run a bad race.
Then favourite stallion is I Am Invincible. When I tell people he’s my favourite they always sarcastically say of course he is, given his high profile. But if you spend time with this horse, he is one in a million.
He’s a gentle giant, anyone can deal with him. He’s very intelligent and professional at his job, if there is a maiden mare in the breeding shed he knows, and takes extra care of himself and the mare. Add those things to his incredible physique and no wonder his stock have achieved what they have so far.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
Back when I was in racing stables we had a filly called Chunky Chic. The story behind her is that it took Ilone just under 10 weeks to get her broken in and running in the first 2yo race of the season in New Zealand.
She won that and was the first horse I led in for a win at the races. I remember her going to the track on the second day of having someone on her back, looking back at it now and knowing what it takes to get a horse to the races it was a bloody great effort.
5-What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
I’ve just finished watching Squid Game on Netflix and it’s great! I also like Money Heist and any Crime/Murder Mystery Doco.
6-When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?
I’d love to get back to Lexington in Kentucky. I’ve been lucky enough to shuttle More Than Ready there a couple of times.
I also have a couple of good mates that I met on the Irish National Stud course who live there and they always show me a great time when I’m there.
7-What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Tough because anyone that knows me, knows I love food and most times it doesn’t have to been anything fancy. But you can’t beat the 1kg Rib Eye at The Cottage in Scone.
8/Name two things on your bucket list?
To play some of the Major Championship courses in Golf, and to breed a Group I winner.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
My Stallion Manager at Vinery Jose Ramos always said to me if you can’t be relaxed in the breeding shed with a stallion, then how can the horse relax. They sense every emotion we have whether you are happy or frustrated, and it will take 10 times longer if you try to rush a stallion into covering a mare.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I was a part of the Manawatu mixed junior golf team that won the New Zealand teams title, and took out the individual net score prize.
