The ‘Horse Capital of Australia’, Scone in New South Wales is a long way from the village of Ambergate in Derbyshire, UK.
This week we find out more about Kevin Drew of Ambergate Farm.
1/Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
Born in England in Derbyshire, in a little village of Ambergate; hence the name of the stud.
I came into horses from my Pony Club days, with my first steed, Emily, a fell pony. I was always put on the naughty horses. I couldn’t afford equestrian style and ended up at Newmarket.
After successfully completing an NVQ course, I obtained employment with Cheveley Park. With the wrong build to become a jockey, I made for a good stud hand and it was there that I met Peter Keating and went to Arrowfield in 2003. I also worked with Turangga Stud, Glastonbury before going on to purchase the land to start ‘Ambergate Farm’.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Kevin Drew look like?
When does the day start or end? Seems to be a never-ending circuit of feeding, watering, patting and picking up large deposits. Foal watching, foaling, vetting, numerous phone calls with clients and studs, and paperwork trails. Did I mention eating and sleeping? I love the breeding season and roll on yearling prep!
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
Have had many opportunities in many facets of both champions and winners. Pivotal, the champion stallion at Cheveley Park, had his first crop of yearlings that were also my first yearling prep. In that prep was a colt Pivotal/Splice, who was my first yearling prep and two year old winner called Feet So Fast.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
I was at Galileo’s Epsom Derby win in 2001, also the 2003 Newmarket One Thousand Guineas won by Russian Rhythm.
I bought a Headwater filly out of his first crop and took her to Adelaide where the reserve was $40,000 and no bid was made, so I returned back home to Ambergate with her. At the June Magic Millions sale, she was purchased for $65,000, a great result!
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
The Good Doctor, classic Inspector Morse and any English comedy
6/ When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?
Being summoned back to the UK in June, to catch up with family and friends.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
Any restaurant food is grand with fantastic company.
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
To breed a champion race horse on Ambergate, which wins the Guineas.
With my smooth voice to become a radio announcer and great singer!
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Advice is quick to give, but harder to digest.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
Like a good book, exterior a little tattered but a worthwhile read.
