A love of horses since childhood and the ability to work hard and keep learning has seen this popular Stud Manager build a great career that can be combined with motherhood.
This week we find out more about Mel Copelin, Stud Manager at Torryburn Stud.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I grew up in Newcastle and then the Lower Hunter Valley – so I’ve not ventured out very far – this area is HOME and I have a seen a lot of Australia and don’t see myself choosing to move away from ‘God’s Country’.
My love of the thoroughbred started early when mum purchased me a slight built mare only 15hh, I was 13yrs old – she was quite sharp and taught me to be patient and developed my skill for a quiet seat and from there forward I always gravitated to a ‘hot’ tempered horse often the chestnut female variety.
My next horse was a black gelding 16.2hh – Studbook named of Turf Slasher ( Turf Ruler) he was the best horse – Advanced dressage , A grade showjumper and a beautiful Royal Class Show Hack – the perfect horse that proves the Thoroughbred is the best breed of horse – they can do anything.
From then on my non-horsey mother was driving me across the Eastern states of Australia – in our two horse float and Holden Ute with two fresh off the track 16hh plus hacks – I’m sure she will say it was character building and you learned not to get stood on very quickly.
I learned a lot during this time and often had coaching from the best riders – most them in the performance horse industry, but there was always the cross over into the racing industry. Back then I would never have dreamed how involved I would become in this industry, I was surrounded by it but never really in it. A lot my pony club peers have become jockeys.
Life went on and I moved into breeding Australian Stock Horses and had three stallions (Always with a lot of Thoroughbred influence) and I went to Torryburn in 2008 to help with Magic Millions prep – and they haven’t let me leave! This industry is so amazing – you don’t need to be born into it, if you work hard and continue learning you can do anything.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Mel Copelin look like?
I’m up about 4 am – usually have my ear open to hear the truck drive past my house with the early morning cover on it, I call night watch and have a general chit chat about the night, the mares the weather etc– it gets lonely for them all night, then I have a cup tea and go through all our racehorse updates, emails that I missed the day before. By then the racing stables have the run sheets done for horses to come out and I organise what spellers will arrive. I then read all the overnight thoroughbred publications – Like Breednet etc and see who’s winning what and the keep an eye on the stallions rankings, see what trends are happing the northern hemisphere etc.
5.30 am I head over and catch up with Nightwatch and the foaling unit manager and see what foals have arrived and iron out any issues – get the run down on the foaling’s and some photos to update the owners later in the day.
7am – back home to get my daughter Ruby organised for school, I will also listen to a pod cast or webinar while Ruby eats breakfast, it be nutrition , foal care, or farriery – I always like to stay up to date on everything, drop Ruby down to school and get the mail on the way back and most importantly grab a strong coffee – we are so lucky have a great little general store so close.
9am vetting – usually takes 3 hours and good chance to see all the mares and foals – book the covers in and organise the next day’s list, and health check the new born foals with the repro vet.
12 noon – usually swing by the loading ramp and see what racehorses have arrived from Rosehill and see the spellers that are headed back into town.
1 pm catch up with my 2iC and the whole team and track down the farrier for a quick chat – no hoof no horse! Then go through some spellers
The rest of the day is spent on updating scans to studs and owners, organising the truck with covers for the next day, sorting through mare swabs, sorting out lists for general horse husbandry, mare treatments post cover and general planning for next day , foal insurances etc-
Depending on the weather and my daughters movements I will head over to the foaling unit at 6.30pm and catch up with Nightwatch again.
3/Who is your favourite horse and why?
If you ask the staff it would be Coterie – a horse I had a small share in with a great group of people and trained by Gerald Ryan.
Torryburn Bred Racehorse -Hot King Prawn Group 1 winner and HK sprinter of the year – who doesn’t love a grey and he’s such a sensation internationally- and you can spell out his name in emojis!
Torryburn broodmare – Serena Miss
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
The most memorable race day was a wet miserable night at Canterbury – when the homebred filly Willowheart won with Nash Rawiller – she dug deep and it was amazing.
My most memorable sale – Easter 2018 , my first million dollar baby – and Eldorado Dreaming’s sire produce win at odds of $151!
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Yellowstone !! and Vikings
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
Gold Coast of course with the yearlings
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Italian – Omeros Brothers Gold Coast
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
Help with wildlife conservation in Africa and attend the Kentucky Derby
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Never say that’s not my job- chip in and help with what needs to be done – even when nobody is watching.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I am petrified of sharks and will not swim in the ocean- but happily watch shark week documentaries.
