I never did get to study at University, my life took me in other directions. But I did get to study/observe at close hand some of the greats of New Zealand & Australian racing and breeding during my 15 years presenting and producing 'The Ford Report' for Trackside Television.
It was a privileged position. Every week of the year I was in the field filming for my television show and it took me & the crew into many of the great breeding farms across Australasia - what an opportunity to learn from the very best; people like Sir Patrick Hogan, John Messara & a list too long to mention them all here.
I closely observed Sir Patrick Hogan in his prime and one thing constantly struck me - despite all the success of Sir Tristam & then Zabeel hard off the back of him - he never took his foot off the pedal. There was never time to let up on the very high standards. He never stopped chasing excellence.
Does a lesson in this industry get any better than that?
Since ending my television career in 2008, I've worked hard to mirror Sir Patrick's work ethic. I took that approach into my 3 years with New Zealand Thoroughbred Marketing, my 8 years with 2019 NZ Breeder of the Year Nearco Stud and in more recent times with my own agency and associated racing arm, Challenge Racehorse Syndications.
Thanks very much Sir Patrick, you have been an inspiration.
