Paul Moroney
TDN AusNZ: Where are you from and what is your earliest racing memory?
Paul Moroney: Born in Matamata, New Zealand. My mother’s parents bred Hi Jinx (NZ) (Pride Of Kildare {Ire}) which won the 1960 Centennial Melbourne Cup. My earliest racing memory is my uncle by marriage, Buzz Leggett, completing the 1965 Great Northern Hurdles-Steeplechase double on Smoke Ring a couple of days before my fifth birthday.
TDN AusNZ: Can you tell us a bit about the work you do, and what you love most about your job?
PM: I’m a bloodstock consultant who specialises in selecting breeding stock, racehorses, and yearlings. Horse racing has always been my passion so I love being able to have turned that into a profession. It’s never really felt like a job and even less so since my partner Catheryne joined me in our business six years ago!
Paul with his partner Catheryne
TDN AusNZ: Which is your favourite racehorse of all time? Why?
PM: Xcellent (NZ) (Pentire {GB}). I bought him as a yearling, was his managing owner and also co-trained him to win a Group 1. He was a freak who won a Derby at his third start and four Group 1s in his first seven starts from 1400 to 2400 metres. Unfortunately, he was plagued by injury and, despite that record, we never saw the best of him.
TDN AusNZ: Which racehorse, ever, do you think was the best type?
PM: Sadler’s Wells (USA) is probably the most athletic I’ve seen in the flesh - great balance and quality.
The late Sadler's Wells (USA)
TDN AusNZ: What stallion do you consider to be ‘under the radar’ and why?
PM: Toronado (Ire). I believe in High Chaparral (Ire) as a potential sire of sires.
TDN AusNZ: Which stallion, ever, do you think was the best type?
PM: Zabeel (NZ) was hard to fault. He was a quality yearling who let down into a classy stallion. It was no surprise he achieved stellar heights.
TDN AusNZ: Who do you think is a rising star within the industry? (person not horse).
PM: Young Kiwi horse trainer Jamie Richards has the backing, talent and work ethic to become a champion trainer in his own right. I’m sure he will make his mark in Australia and eventually further afield as well.
Te Akau trainer, Jamie Richards
TDN AusNZ: What positive change would you like to see in the industry?
PM: Racing NSW and Racing Victoria working together to prevent diluting and splitting Australia’s best horses and jockeys at carnival time.
TDN AusNZ: If you weren’t in this industry what would you do?
PM: Who could ever think about that!
