Images: courtesy of Highclere Australia
Tess Drennan has replaced the outgoing Dane Robinson as Racing Manager for Highclere Australia, and she has hit the ground running.
Having previously held marketing and sponsorship management positions at Arrowfield Stud, William Inglis and the Australian Turf Club, Drennan began her new position in Highclere’s Sydney office early last month.
She took the opportunity to spend a week in the UK alongside Highclere’s chairman and general manager Harry Herbert, acquainting herself with the Highclere team – both human and equine.
Harry Herbert Highclere's Chairman and General Manager
“They have a great setup at Berkshire and run a really busy office with some very exciting horses on the books,” she said. “I am keen to see a few of them racing in Australia in the near future.
“Durston (GB) was on the top of my list as he is a particularly exciting colt with plans to race in Australia.
“With the amazing prize-money available in Australia, the opportunities for Highclere horses are considerable, as has already been shown through Group-race successes with horses like Libran.
“With the amazing prize-money available in Australia, the opportunities for Highclere horses are considerable." - Tess Drennan
“I am extremely fortunate to be joining Highclere at this time, with impressive horses on our books such as the recent winning stayer Lord Belvedere (GB), our promising three-year-old colts who are primed and ready to claim their share of prize-money, and with our select two-year-olds. We have a lot to look forward to.”
Herbert was delighted to welcome Drennan to the Highclere Australia team.
“Tess comes to us with extensive industry experience and we have complete faith that she will steer the ship for us in Australia,” he said.
“We have a great team of horses and owners for her to manage and to keep the Highclere fun rolling along.”
Opinion (Ire) was an early flagbearer for Highclere when winning the G1 Metropolitan H.
Since its establishment in 1992, Highclere has made its mark with dozens of black-type performers, headed by Group 1 winners such as Harbinger (GB) (Dansili {GB}), Petrushka (Ire) (Unfuwain {USA}) and the Epsom Derby winner Motivator (GB) (Montjeu {Ire}).
Australia had long been on Herbert’s radar, and Highclere first dipped its toes into these waters with a sixth placing by Distinction (Ire) (Danehill {Ire}) in the 2004 Melbourne Cup.
The first dual hemisphere syndicate was launched in 2012, and Opinion (Ire) (Oasis Dream {GB}) was an early flagbearer with victory in the G1 Metropolitan H.
Durston is set to head to Australia this year
Libran (Ire) (Lawman {Fr}) has won the G2 Chairman’s H and G3 N E Manion Cup and Kingston Town S., along with seven Group-race placings including the G1 Sydney Cup.
Lord Belvedere (GB) (Archipenko {USA}) has won two of his three starts in Australia and five overall, while the promising youngsters in Highclere colours include the Bjorn Baker-trained Edison (Fastnet Rock), who was placed in both 2-year-old starts last season and is nominated for the G1 Golden Rose and Caulfield Guineas.
The potentially Australia-bound Durston (GB) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) is trained by David Simcock and has had six starts for two wins and three placings. He is a half-brother to the multiple Group winner and Group 1-placed Cubanita (GB) (Selkirk {USA}), the champion older mare in Germany in 2014.
