Personality Profile – Know Them Better

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Friday November 12

A cowboy at heart and the son of a local bloodstock legend, this week we learn more about a young man with an eye for a good horse and the dream of buying his own farm.

Mitch Williams is a young man going places.

This week we find out more about Mitch Williams, whose bloodstock industry involvement revolves around his freeze branding business and the pursuit and preparation of successful breeze up horses.

1. Where are you from, and what got you in involved in the thoroughbred industry?

I was born in Nagambie, Victoria, but now I claim Murrurundi as home. I was born into the industry as most people would know my old man Tubba and as a kid I always wanted to be involved in any way I could be.

Bloodstock and sales have always been a passion and I loved going to sales and stallion parades with Dad and that’s where I really got the bug for an auction and the racing and breeding industry.


2. What does a workday in the life of Mitchell Williams look like?

All depends on the time of year, I have a freeze branding business that keeps me going from December to March and I attend most yearling sales throughout the year trying to find breeze up horses. For the last 10 years I’ve been going to Tal Nolen’s to prepare our breeze up horses at Nolen Racing.

Up until the recent sale, we had our Gold Coast breeze up horses in so we would kick off early in the morning and work those, then we have a handful of race horses in work and they get worked at home and work at the track at Wangaratta twice a week.

Usually have a bit of a camp and then feed up in the afternoons and do whatever else needs doing farriers, vets, etc.


That’s about our day.


3. Who is your favourite horse and why?

Makybe Diva was a favourite when I was a kid, Dad took me down to watch her win her third Melbourne Cup because that’ll never be seen again, he took me down to the bookies and I had some on with Johnny Dow, he passed me the ticket and said “frame it”, she won and I’ve still got the ticket.

Makybe Diva races into history in 2005! - image Steve Hart

I was only 12 at the time, but it is pretty special to have been there to see her win that third Melbourne Cup.

More recent favourites are Top Knight and Lightsaber, both Zoustar colts that we purchased as yearlings and sold as breeze up horses with Tal and Shaun Nolen that have gone on to do well on the track.

Lightsaber wins the Guineas Prelude - image Racing Photos

Top Knight has won a few Group races in Singapore and Lightsaber ran fourth in the Caulfield Guineas this year and won the Caulfield Guineas prelude, it’s a big thrill to have had an involvement in horses like that and follow them on the track.


4. Tell us about the best day you had at the races or at the sales, and what made it memorable for you?

I’d say Magic Millions breeze up sale a couple of years ago was a big day for us with a couple of good pin hook results, Shaun Nolen and I sold a Hinchinbrook colt for $220,000 that we purchased for $17,000 and Tal sold a No Nay Never colt for $525,000 that he purchased for $90,000.

That was an exciting day at the sales for us and for horses like that to exceed expectations is a massive high.


5. What is your favourite show on Netflix or TV?

100% Yellowstone


6. When travel opens again where is the first place you will go?

The Railway Hotel Murrurundi will be the first place I go, I don’t need to travel any further.


7. What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?

I’m a sushi fan but can’t go past a chicken Parma at the Railway Hotel Murrurundi.


8. Name two things on your bucket list?

Having an open cheque book at a sale so If I like one I can just buy it.

Having my own farm at some stage would be on the list.


9. What’s the best advice someone has ever given you?

Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.

And

The Shed Rules

Rule #1 nobody leaves until daylight

Rule #2 there are no rules -JJ Johnson local Murrurundi identity


10. Tell us one thing that not many people may know about you?

I reckon most people are probably  aware that I don’t mind a few rums.





 

Advertisment
More Reading...
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
Alice Jeffries - Rising Star in Breeding Industry
Alice Jeffries didn’t always see a future for herself in the breeding industry, but a very special filly played a key role in getting her to where she is today, working as Cambridge Stud’s Assistant Yearling Manager, and receiving Entain’s Newcomer Excellence Award on Sunday.
G1 Aussie Season – Best of the Best
The $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm last Saturday was the last of 76 Australian Group I races run this season that produced 57 individual Group I winners, so let’s take a look at the best of the best.
Bergerson Honoured at Entain Industry Excellence Awards
Sam Bergerson, New Zealand’s leading trainer, was recognised by his peers when receiving the top gong at the Entain Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday night.
NZ Racing Woman of the Year
Caitlin O’Sullivan Doyle has been immersed in racing from a young age and she was recognised for her individual contribution to the industry at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards on Sunday.
Euro G1 – Bridesmaid No More and Two Time Derby Hero
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who shook off his G1 bridesmaid tag winning the Group I Grand Prix de Saint Cloud in France, while in Ireland the Coolmore machine kept the winning run going to take out the Group I Irish Derby (1 ½ m).
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.
Sires With Winners - Monday June 30
Here is the full list of 20 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Vale, Joe Yorke
The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.
Matahga Makes it a Memorable Weekend for Lawson
Waikato horseman Simon Lawson has an eye for a bargain, and the product of one of his purchases turned into his first stakes winner over the weekend.