A boy from Wagga that learned his horse skills handling Clydesdales is now the Operations Manager at a major farm and has had a hand in the rise of some outstanding sires over the years and is currently involved with another.
This week we find out more about Gerard Jones, Operations Manager at Rosemont Stud, the home of Shamus Award.
1/ Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?
From Wagga Wagga and horses have always been in the blood. My family have always bred Clydesdales “Allirmuir Clydesdale Stud”.
Worked in a racing stable for pocket money as a teenager where I met Ben Lawrence and he was going down to do the Wangaratta breeding course. After I finished Year 10 I did an Agricultural course and worked on a sheep and cropping farm, but $150 a week wasn’t going far, so I followed his footsteps and signed up. It was a great way to get into the industry.
2/ What does a workday in the life of Gerard Jones look like?
During the season, it’s hectic. Usually 5am starts. Before vetting starts @ 8am I like to look at the new born foals up to five days old every day and call into the stallions at 6am, check on how the stallions are coping and if they need a hand.
I look after the covering book so the phone goes constantly, but it means I can manage the stallions’ workload and work with the walk-in farms to get the spot that works for their mare, hopefully getting a more likely positive outcome.
Afternoons are catch ups with the team. Horse movements, racehorses, team rosters.
Try and be home by 6:30pm
3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?
I have more than one favourite because they all influenced me at different times.
Testa Rossa was the first. He got me following the races. Peter Fitzgerald (Inglis)was following Redoute’s Choice, so I followed Testa. I worked at Yallambee for five years and for four of them he was there… such a cool character, would do anything for food.
Then obviously Written Tycoon.
When I managed Woodside, nine years ago WT came into my life and most people know that I lived and breathed him.
The stallion barn was next to my house. He was the first and last horse I saw every day. I used to love after work grabbing a beer and taking WT for a pick of grass… the team would come over and we would all just chill. He and Princeton (my dog) were best mates. Loved that I was able to play a part in the rise of WT and some great people came into my life through him.
Also hard to go past my beautiful Clyde mare Erin and retired show horse Superzeel.
4/ Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?
Runaway winning the Geelong Cup.
It’s the Austin’s and Mithen’s local cup, so all the Rosemont team were there and we all partied in the marquee as we were all owners and it went off like a night club! My great mate Stephen Baster rode Runaway, the whole experience of getting into the Melbourne Cup and watching it with his wife Mel Baster was something special - All great memories
5/ What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?
Ozark or Yellowstone, but I loved watching Muster Dogs.
My ritual is watching landline on a Sunday morning.
6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?
Keen to see everything, dream is to travel around the world.
7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?
I love steak, Black Cow in Tassie.
Oysters for entree
Wagyu for main
Finish with one or two Whisky Sours!
8/ Name two things on your bucket list?
I love my job but it’s full on, so put more effort into to seeing mates and family.
Head to Ireland with the family. See Leanne, Liam, and spend quality time with Anthony.
9/ What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?
Maybe dad’s - Take the winkers off (Clydesdale wear winkers). For racing term could say (take the blinkers off). You can see so much more when they are off, and you need to in life.
10/ Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?
For years I showed horses, but it was getting harder do the Royals and sales. We had plenty of fun times and laughs with the Northmore crew.
Another thing people won't know, I'm known as Gezza in the industry, but all my family call be Gedda.
