Generation Next: Matt Comerford

9 min read
In our latest instalment of Generation Next we catch up with Matt Comerford who has held a Nominations, Sales and Client Relations role at Widden Stud since 2012 after starting out at Darley Northwood Park.

Cover image courtesy of Inglis

Born and raised in Wagga Wagga, Comerford’s love for horses spawned from regular trips to the races with his grandfathers on both sides of the family.

When Comerford’s grandfather on his dad’s side began to dabble in breeding and training, the youngster’s passion for the sport and animal was enhanced.

“My grandfather went to a few broodmare sales in Sydney at the old Inglis complex and he purchased a couple of mares in foal, bred a couple of foals and ended up breaking them in himself and training them,” Comerford told TDN AusNZ.

Matt Comerford | Image courtesy of Inglis

“So, from that young age, spending school holidays and weekends out with him was where the real passion came from and it just went from there and at the end of my schooling I decided it was something I really liked and wanted to explore further.”

Comerford’s passion for the sport led to him completing a two-year Diploma of Equine Stud Management at the Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE in Wangaratta under the tutelage of Ian Horwood, who was previously the boss of Collingrove Stud.

While completing placement at Bassinghall Farm Comerford struck a professional and personal relationship with Tas Rielley, which would pave the way for future endevours.

Matt Comerford and Strategic at Darley | Image courtesy of Matt Comerford

His final placement at Darley Northwood Park resulted in a full-time job at the esteemed operation and after just six months as a stallion groom Comerford was afforded the opportunity to travel to Darley's international establishments in Japan and Ireland.

“They were fantastic experiences, I had never travelled overseas before I got into the industry and it was something I never expected to do,” Comerford said.

“To be able to go and work in three different continents and to learn off some of the world’s best horse people and the hands-on side of things in three different ways was brilliant and I had some great mentors along the way across all facets of the game.

“To be able to go and work in three different continents and to learn off some of the world’s best horse people and the hand’s-on side of things in three different ways was brilliant..." - Matt Comerford

“From the breaking in at (Darley) Kildangan, to the foaling unit, the stallions in Japan and everything in between was really fundamental to learning about the thoroughbred industry.”

Stud Manager Matt Hill, who is now at Arrowfield, along with Assistant Stud Manager David Collinson were key mentors of Comerford’s during his time at Darley Northwood.

“Those two gave me a really good grounding in the industry and taught me a lot. Matt instilled a lot of confidence in me and I hadn’t even been at Darley for six weeks before he asked if I would be interested in travelling to Japan to do a season,” Comerford said.

“He was really encouraging and both him and David taught me the work ethic required to do well in the industry.”

Matt Hill, stud manager at Arrowfield Stud | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy

Working at Widden

The relationship built with Rielley while on placement at Bassinghall was the catalyst for Comerford to connect with Widden Stud’s Principal Antony Thompson and Ryan McEvoy, who was head of nominations and sales at the time.

After meeting Thompson and McEvoy it was clear to Comerford that joining Widden was the natural next step in his career.

“Having that foundation and understanding of all facets of the industry before transitioning held me in good stead and I was really lucky in having Derek Field, Ryan McEvoy and Antony Thompson to guide and nurture me into the role," Comerford said.

“So, it was quite a smooth transition having those three by my side and I haven’t looked back since.”

Matt Comerford parading Star Witness at Widden Stud | Image courtesy of Matt Comerford

After 10 years at the famed Hunter Valley operation Comerford remains as motivated as ever, which he credits to the family environment and tightness of the team across all facets of the operation.

He described McEvoy, who is now the general manager at Rosemont Stud, and Thompson as mentors of his, while crediting Stud Manager David Merrick, Assistant Stud Manager Ben Walsh, Victorian Stud Manager Jason Robinson and head vet Raina Scott for the integral roles they play.

“I just love what I do; and a lot of people resonate with the fact that you have to really love what you do in this industry,” Comerford said. “It’s a really good family environment at Widden, I have my wife and 2-year-old with me on the farm and we all love it here.

“The long hours and work load isn’t something all people can handle but I love the horses, I love the people, I love the clients and the family environment here at Widden makes it easy to get out of bed and get to work.”

“The long hours and work load isn’t something all people can handle but I love the horses, I love the people, I love the clients and the family environment here at Widden makes it easy to get out of bed and get to work.” - Matt Comerford

A career in the breeding industry was always the intention for Comerford, who said that the education of foals, pedigrees and matching mares with stallions appealed and resonated with him more than working in racing stables.

The breeding and racing industry's ability to showcase the rewarding career opportunities that are possible has improved tenfold in recent years, according to Comerford.

“Courses like Fast Track in the Hunter Valley are the most important thing going forward for young people who want to get into the industry and these types of initiatives gave me a great introduction to what the stud game is,” Comerford said.

Hannah, Reuben and Matt Comerford | Image courtesy of Matt Comerford

“There has been a very big change of focus, I was in the second or third last year of the Goulburn Ovens TAFE course before it shut down, so I think we’ve put a lot more focus and precedence on the importance of educating young people through Marcus Oldham, Fast Track and Lindy Maurice’s Thoroughbred Industry Careers.

“Those sorts of organisations have probably increased a 1000 per cent in the last three or four year’s but there was certainly a lull in the five or so years prior to that.”

Comerford’s advice to young people starting out in the breeding industry is to work hard, ask questions and respectfully challenge the status quo.

Matt Comerford and Laura Bright cooking up a staff breakfast, a regular occurrence at Widden Stud | Image courtesy of Widden Stud

“The advice I would give is that it’s important to work hard, it sounds like a simple thing, but also don’t be afraid to ask questions or challenge people that you feel might be mentoring you or in a senior position,” Comerford said.

“I was a confident enough young person that when I started out I’d ask questions and push the envelope a little bit without trying to go overboard.

“Working hard, asking questions and being willing to try anything and everything is really important, while it might be outside your wheelhouse you might learn a lot and turn that back around and use it in an area of your expertise down the track.”

“Working hard, asking questions and being willing to try anything and everything is really important, while it might be outside your wheelhouse you might learn a lot..." - Matt Comerford

A shining star

The loss of Northern Meteor at the age of eight in 2013 was a tragic loss for the entire Widden operation, however, his son Zoustar has continued the legacy and shone brighter than Comerford could have ever imagined.

He is excited by the prospects of Zoustar’s Group 2-winning, G1 Golden Rose S.-placed son Zousain, who will stand the upcoming breeding season at $22,000 (inc GST).

“Zoustar is an unbelievable stallion. We went through the highs and lows of having lost his sire Northern Meteor when I was there early days and to have that devastation you felt the real passion and love for the horses,” Comerford said.

Gallery: Some of the stallions standing at Widden Stud in 2022

“To have gone and secured Zoustar and to see him continue to go through the ranks as an elite stallion and to now have had a real breakout season with the top price weanling and yearling gives you a lot of enjoyment.”

Another addition to the Widden stallion roster is Deep Field’s Group 1-winning son Portland Sky, who will cover his first book this upcoming breeding season at $27,500 (inc GST).

Rebel Dane will join Portland Sky at Widden’s Hunter Valley base for the same service fee after a deal was brokered to stand the Laurel Oak Bloodstock-owned son of California Dane following Fireburn’s autumn heroics.

“Portland Sky is great value, he’s a beautiful individual, a speed horse and won a G1 Oakleigh Plate like Sniztel and Fastnet Rock previously did,” Comerford said.

"Portland Sky is great value, he’s a beautiful individual, a speed horse and won a G1 Oakleigh Plate like Sniztel and Fastnet Rock previously did." - Matt Comerford

“He profiles really well and while he’s not exactly that Zoustar line he goes back to Northern Meteor through Deep Field and is his only Group 1-winning son at stud.

“And breeders are really starting to take hold of him, which leaves us pretty bullish about his prospects going forward.”

On the Victorian front Widden will stand Dirty Work, Overshare and Gold Standard at its Riddell Creek property on behalf of Hesket Thoroughbreds after David Moodie and Ash Hardwick recently struck a deal to purchase Spendthrift Australia and its breeding and racing stock.

Gallery: New stallions to Widden Victoria's roster in 2022

“We couldn’t be more thankful of the relationship that we’re building with David (Moodie) and Ash (Hardwick) and the opportunity to stand Dirty Work, Overshare and Gold Standard with and on behalf of them,” Comerford said.

“Dirty Work, as you saw last week, had mares in foal to him make incredible results and he’s been afforded one of the best possible starts a young stallion at stud could have.

“Overshare is a son of I Am Invincible and despite having limited runners they’ve all shown a bit; Lady Laguna looks a really top-class filly going forward.”

Widden Stud
Matt Comerford
Generation Next