A cowboy at heart and the son of a local bloodstock legend, this week we learn more about a young man with an eye for a good horse and the dream of buying his own farm.
This week we find out more about Mitch Williams, whose bloodstock industry involvement revolves around his freeze branding business and the pursuit and preparation of successful breeze up horses.
1. Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
I was born in Nagambie, Victoria, but now I claim Murrurundi as home. I was born into the industry as most people would know my old man Tubba and as a kid I always wanted to be involved in any way I could be.
Bloodstock and sales have always been a passion and I loved going to sales and stallion parades with Dad and that’s where I really got the bug for an auction and the racing and breeding industry.
2. What does a workday in the life of Mitchell Williams look like?
All depends on the time of year, I have a freeze branding business that keeps me going from December to March and I attend most yearling sales throughout the year trying to find breeze up horses. For the last 10 years I’ve been going to Tal Nolen’s to prepare our breeze up horses at Nolen Racing.
Up until the recent sale, we had our Gold Coast breeze up horses in so we would kick off early in the morning and work those, then we have a handful of race horses in work and they get worked at home and work at the track at Wangaratta twice a week.
Usually have a bit of a camp and then feed up in the afternoons and do whatever else needs doing farriers, vets, etc.
That’s about our day.
3. Who is your favourite horse and why?
Makybe Diva was a favourite when I was a kid, Dad took me down to watch her win her third Melbourne Cup because that’ll never be seen again, he took me down to the bookies and I had some on with Johnny Dow, he passed me the ticket and said “frame it”, she won and I’ve still got the ticket.
I was only 12 at the time, but it is pretty special to have been there to see her win that third Melbourne Cup.
More recent favourites are Top Knight and Lightsaber, both Zoustar colts that we purchased as yearlings and sold as breeze up horses with Tal and Shaun Nolen that have gone on to do well on the track.
Top Knight has won a few Group races in Singapore and Lightsaber ran fourth in the Caulfield Guineas this year and won the Caulfield Guineas prelude, it’s a big thrill to have had an involvement in horses like that and follow them on the track.
4. Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
I’d say Magic Millions breeze up sale a couple of years ago was a big day for us with a couple of good pin hook results, Shaun Nolen and I sold a Hinchinbrook colt for $220,000 that we purchased for $17,000 and Tal sold a No Nay Never colt for $525,000 that he purchased for $90,000.
That was an exciting day at the sales for us and for horses like that to exceed expectations is a massive high.
5. What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
100% Yellowstone
6. When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?
The Railway Hotel Murrurundi will be the first place I go, I don’t need to travel any further.
7. What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
I’m a sushi fan but can’t go past a chicken Parma at the Railway Hotel Murrurundi.
8. Name two things on your bucket list?
Having an open cheque book at a sale so If I like one I can just buy it.
Having my own farm at some stage would be on the list.
9. What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
And
The Shed Rules
Rule #1 nobody leaves until daylight
Rule #2 there are no rules -JJ Johnson local Murrurundi identity
10. Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
I reckon most people are probably aware that I don’t mind a few rums.
