Williams returns to Karaka

3rd Feb 2012

The name ‘World Wide Bloodstock’ has been a familiar tag on buyers lists around the world for decades now with principal Andy Williams clocking up frequent flyer points with gay abandon. The Durban-based Williams is in his 39th year as a bloodstock agent and has been once again walking the barns at Karaka in search of his next major winner.

Andy Williams

The man that can list the likes of Rocket Man (Viscount), Eagle Regiment (El Moxie) and Devon Air (Sparkler), to name but a few of his Group One winners, first came to the New Zealand yearling sales 25 years ago when the sale was held for the first time at Karaka.

“I love coming here and have had some luck so it’s an easy trip to make,” Williams explains. “New Zealand Bloodstock do such a wonderful job of looking after you and getting things organised that this is a great sale to work.”

Williams was active in the Premier Sale buying on behalf of Mary Liley who was back buying in New Zealand after an absence of 20 odd years. “Mrs Liley bought some great horses in New Zealand, horses like Sun Monarch and Bold Monarch who were both champions in South Africa. She has been buying yearlings in Australia without much luck so she has decided to be back in New Zealand.”

Williams has been a familiar face in Australia as the South African agent for Magic Millions but that 16-year arrangement ended, amicably, this year. “Part of my arrangement with Magic Millions was that I acting exclusively for them and that worked well but things change and now I am back operating as a freelance, which is good because it gives me the freedom. Last year I purchased 83 horses out of Australia and I will certainly be looking to do more business in New Zealand.”

If the bloodstock business is now a global one then of course it is subject to the same global pressures and Williams points to the currency difference as being a major reason to be buying in New Zealand. “The currency difference is significant, for sure. It is 8.5 rand to the Australian dollar compared to 6.3 rand to the New Zealand dollar so obviously for South Africans their money goes a lot further.”

Racehorse ownership in South Africa is very solid according to Williams. “The prizemoney levels probably seem poor to you with the conversion but you must remember that the cost base is a lot lower – you can have a horse trained in South Africa for the equivalent of $900 so the differential is similar and as a result the ownership base is growing.”

Williams argues that one of the main attractions for New Zealand yearlings to race in South Africa is the similarity in racing and breeding styles. “In South Africa the first two-year-old race is in December and from then till March there are only a handful of races, so there is nowhere for a precocious sort to go. Plus, all of South Africa’s major races are from 2000m upwards so it makes more sense to be looking at middle-distance types with pedigrees to match.”

The opportunity to access international pedigrees is also a strong attraction. “South African owners need to travel to be able to purchase different bloodlines and global pedigrees equate to global currency. With so many shuttle stallions in New Zealand and the depth of pedigree here there is so much opportunity for South African breeders to be able to upgrade and refresh their breeding stock. If they buy a yearling from here with a pedigree and it can become a good horse in South Africa then is saleable to anywhere in the world.”

 As we speak the Williams phone rings constantly. Apologetically he takes one call, arranging the movement of yearlings he has purchased the day before. “Sorry about that.” he says good naturedly, “part of the deal I’m afraid. I have some more horses to go and look at too.”