A trip to the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in 2000 sparked a keen passion for thoroughbreds and pedigrees that has led this young woman to forge a career in bloodstock leading to a key role with global breeding operation Darley.
This week we find out more about Lisa Manning, who works in Nominations for Darley Australia.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I grew up in Western Sydney, so quite far removed from anything horse related, but I don’t remember a time when I didn’t love horses. I nagged my parents for a pony for years and watched and read anything remotely horse related from the Olympics to horse racing to any horse books and magazines I could get my hands on!
When I left school I completed a Diploma of Horse Industry Management and did work experience for a few stud farms in the Hawkesbury area. It was my first ever trip to the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale in 2000 that got me really interested in thoroughbreds and pedigrees. I remember sitting in the grandstand looking at each beautifully presented horse, seeing what they were by and how much they made, and it just drew me in…. I still have that catalogue in my bookshelf. They were the days of Royal Academy, Dehere, Flying Spur, Marauding etc.
When I finished my course, I started working at a racing stable then went on to work at different thoroughbred studs. Working with yearlings and going to the sales was always my favourite part of stud work and it all rolled on from there…
2/ What does a workday in the life of Lisa Manning look like?
A work day for me varies depending on the time of year. At the moment, the breeding season is winding down, which is usually our busiest time of the year in the office. That usually starts when we announce fees in April and we generally start taking bookings, doing matings, attending breeding stock sales etc. There are thousands of clients to attend to, so it’s a very busy time of year for us.
We have weekly meetings to catch up with everyone as we have staff at both our stallion farms in Victoria and NSW and it’s important that we are all on the same page and communicate as much as possible.
When the stallions arrive from overseas in August we are busy with parades as well, particularly any new stallions that are having their first season at stud.
We are now about to get into the sales season and we will be at all of the major sales inspecting the stock of our stallions. First season sires are of particular note as we obviously like to see how they are all coming along. It’s also a great chance to catch up with breeders, owners and stud managers. In between all of this we get out and about on farms at various times of the year to visit clients and look at their bloodstock all over the country- that can be anywhere from Waterhouse in Tasmania to Toowoomba in Qld, we do a lot of miles!
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
I can’t just name one, they are the reason we do what we do!
My favourite stallion is Exceed and Excel-he’s just got the best temperament and of course he’s a brilliant stallion.
My favourite racehorse has to be Melito who was an unbelievable filly/mare. She won two Group One’s and placed second in five other Group Ones. She was as honest a horse as you could get and beautiful to be around. I had a fair bit to do with her when I worked at Reavill Farm- she was bred and raced by the owners and trained by Gerald Ryan.
I also have two riding horses Digger and Shiralee that have to be mentioned as favourites- they are both gems.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
I work in this industry because I love it, so it’s hard to pick one… Being there when Melito won the TJ Smith was amazing, particularly having had so much to do with her beforehand. Willowy winning the VRC Oaks this year was very special- she is an exciting filly for Godolphin and I have a lot of time for her sire Kermadec so I was particularly happy to be at the races that day. Working with Darley stallions and having such amazing racing stock to cheer on in the Godolphin blue is very special all round and there are a lot of highlights we get to be part of!
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
I really don’t watch much TV apart from the races but I was recommended Bridgerton and I will definitely be watching the next series! I am currently working my way through The Crown which I have enjoyed so far.
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
Hopefully New Zealand or Perth- we have some great friends in both of those places that we haven’t seen for a long time.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Italian is probably my favourite but I am very happy to eat most cuisines…. I think our best local restaurants are Mitchelton and Fowles, anywhere you can have a champagne brekky is always good! Mamasan at the Gold Coast is also great.
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
I’d love to see the Northern lights and would also like to do a horse riding trek with some good mates up into the High Country in Victoria.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
I have had plenty of advice over the years but my parents are both very honest and hard workers and so probably their example has been the best advice that I have gotten..
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I did gymnastics up to state level as a teenager.
