A former Pony Club girl from Bundaberg in Queensland has found the busy foaling season in the Hunter Valley to be her favourite time of the year.
This week we find out more about Kate Fleming of Bhima Thoroughbreds.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I was born in Bundaberg, QLD and grew up around horses and went to Pony Club every weekend. After Uni (Diploma Applied Science - Equine Studies) and living overseas for a year, I returned to Australia and got a job with Rick Worthington as a rider (not track work!) and groom.
I then realised how much I liked thoroughbreds, but wanted to learn about the breeding side of things, so in 2001, I moved to Cambridge Stud in NZ and as they say “the rest is history”!
2/ What does a workday in the life of Kate Fleming look like?
This year on Bhima I’m again in the Foaling Unit, so everything revolves around foaling and foals.
• Start at 5am and check in with night watch.
• Check all new foals and all mares and foals in boxes
• Talk with Mike (my husband) about our day.
• Check over all other foals in the vicinity of my foaling unit
• Organise staff
• Treat any sick/injured foals or mares
• Liaise with the vet
• Do as little paperwork as possible
• Just general organising of the Foaling Unit.
• Deal with any issues that crop up
• I’m also on-call for after hours issues with foals, but luckily don’t get called out too often.
• Most days I don’t get a lunch break and it’s a 7-day/week job, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I love my job and this is my absolute favourite time of year on the farm!!
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
My first ever pony “Lady” (palomino pony mare) holds a special place in my heart.
I honestly don’t have a favourite racehorse though - any horse I have a share in is my favourite at the time, but I do have several favourite broodmares on the farm including Augusta Proud (previous 2yo MM winner), Miss Atom Bomb (out of Vegas Showgirl), Is What It Is (full sister to Stratum Star and out of the dam of Prague) among others.
Big Party, multiple Hong Kong winner and graduate of Bhima, out of one of our resident mares De Groove, has recently moved “home” to Bhima to retire and I’m pretty happy to see him out in a paddock enjoying the grass and the mud!
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
No particular stands out, but I really enjoy every single Scone Cup race day. Good friends, good racing, good food and a chance to dress up in nice clothes. To have such a big exciting race day in our backyard is such a blessing.
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Just one?
The Big Bang Theory, Riverdale, Lucifer and Gossip Girl.
Watching movies/tv is one of my favourite ways to unwind and de-stress!
6/ When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?
I’d like to get to Qld to see my family, but no doubt a trip to NZ to see the in-laws will be high up on that list.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Any food I don’t have to cook is ok by me, especially at this time of year. The Cottage Restaurant here in Scone is always a winner.
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
1) To “do” the entire Spring Carnival.
2) Visit Alaska during August-September to watch the bears catch salmon out of the rivers. So obviously this will have to be post-retirement!
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Don’t assume anything because - “Assumptions are the mother of all f**k-ups.”
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
A few years ago, I used to do Roller Derby (hardcore, full contact sport on roller skates).
