Personality Profile – Know Them Better

Sponsored Content - by Tara Madgwick - Friday December 3

When your grand-father breeds the winner of the legendary Grand National at Aintree, it only seems fitting that you find your calling in the world of racing and bloodstock.

Ross Hatton and Max Schofer.


This week we find out more about Ross Hatton, who has established Rathmore Lodge and Rathmore Bloodstock with partner Max Schofer.

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

Born and bred in Kilkenny, Ireland. I grew up around racehorses and showjumpers on all sides of the family, but when a horse my grand-father John Brophy bred named Royal Athlete won the Aintree Grand National in 1995, that was what hooked me for life.

2/ What does a workday in the life of Ross Hatton look like?

Myself and my girlfriend Max Schofer began setting up Rathmore Lodge (the farm) and Rathmore Bloodstock (the consultancy business) three years ago. It is just the two of us.

No two days are the same.

Consequently, I don’t believe 24 hour days are long enough. No two days are the same. We’ve just foaled down 25 mares this year and there are 15 yearlings on the farm so the past few months have hectic… foaling, feeding, fencing, communicating with clients and partners, selecting matings, buying & selling horses, etc., oh and feeding again - my favourite part of the day as I get to play with the foals.

Jack Schaeche, Jimmy Unwala and Ross Hatton at the 2021 Chairman’s Sale following the purchase of broodmare Bella Gioia by a partnership of Rathmore Bloodstock & Avesta Bloodstock.

3/ Who is your favourite horse and why?

On the racetrack over the years, probably Giant’s Causeway just because he was so tough. It was a huge thrill to give him a pat when I visited Kentucky in 2012.

My favourite young horse that I took through a sale ring was a yearling colt by Tagula x Mrs Marsh, later known as Canford Cliffs, also because he was just such a tough colt as a youngster.

I’ve been in love with countless pregnant broodmares over the years - current favourite is a mare named Northern Saint, I bought her cheap before her first foal won its maiden at Caulfield and then ran 3rd in a Group Three. Finally, I also have a blossoming relationship with an outstanding two-week old filly foal by Star Turn, she’s just too cute!

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

Best day at the races would be the 2003 Irish Derby, which was won by Alamshar (beating Dalakhani)… we had a large group and we pretty much backed every winner - I remember walking back to the table with three big bottles of Bollinger in my arms at one point.

Best week at the races would be either or of a couple of Galway Racing Festivals… one of which I ended up in Texas as a consequence… long story!

Invader colt from Lawmaker that sold for $130,000 with strapper Taui Johnson.

Best day at the sales was in Adelaide earlier this year. I bought an Invader colt online in late October for $6,000 before reselling him in March for $130,000. That was an incredible buzz!

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

I was a huge fan of The Wire, probably time to rewatch it again. Generally, if I am watching TV it will either be a movie or sports related.

6/ Now that travel has opened again where is the first place you will go?

Given it is just me and Max with 50 horses, 2 dogs and a cat… a night in Goolwa or Adelaide is about as far was we can go regardless of restrictions. Other than that, I do dream of having a few pints of Smithwicks at home in Cleeres pub in Kilkenny with friends and family.

7/ What is your favourite cuisine and restaurant?

I will literally eat just about any cuisine. I hate ordering food in a restaurant so anywhere such as Mamasan in the Gold Coast where there is the “Let Mama Feed Me” option, that suits me best. In Adelaide, Sean’s Kitchen is a personal favourite, Mac ‘n’ Cheese is offered as a side dish to a steak - gold!

8/ Name two things on your bucket list?

Visit South America to spread my brother’s ashes in the vicinity of Machu Pichu. Drive (with the aid of boats) from Adelaide to Kilkenny.

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

I am terrible at heeding advice… yet again last week the old saying “Life’s too short” has resonated. Sebastien Domange, AKA Frenchie, was the person that suggested to me to go to South Australia nearly 10 years ago. He will be such a loss to so many that loved him. If you are reading this, call a mate today and ask them how they are REALLY doing!

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

I am the reigning 2020/21 Fantasy Football Champion (English Premiership Soccer), in which I beat the likes of Phil Marshall in a league he set up.



 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Yes Yes Yes to Stand at Gooree Park Stud
When Yes Yes Yes scored a course record breaking win in The Everest in 2019, the three year-old colt delivered a fairytale result for his ownership group and some of those owners are committed to ensuring his future at stud going forward and they include Julia Ritchie.
Sword Poised to Strike
When the first crop yearlings by a young stallion are well received and go into the right stables that’s always a good sign and then a few months after that is when things start to get really interesting.
Sires With Winners - Friday July 4
Here is the full list of 38 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
So You Think 3YO Wins $100,000 Inglis Xtra Bonus
Good placement from the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott stable for progressive three year-old So You Think gelding Aloysius, who cast off maiden status at Hawkesbury on Thursday in a race that featured a lucrative Inglis Xtra maiden bonus.
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 3
Here is the full list of 27 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Super Seth has had three G1 winners in Australia this season and John O’Shea and Tom Charlton have trained two of them, so when they produce a lightly raced maiden winner by this exciting young sire we want to know more.
Third Winner for Peltzer
Twin Hills Stud’s young sire Pelzter added a third winner to his tally with a debut victory at Canberra on Friday for the well named gelding I Show Speed.
Quality Cambridge Stud draft in National Online Breeding Stock Sale
The need for Cambridge Stud to control the size of their star-studded broodmare band has opened up some special opportunities in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
High-flying Pencarrow Stud offers well-bred mares in Online Breeding Stock Sale
The 2024-25 season has been one of the best ever for Pencarrow Stud, and some of the renowned bloodlines that have underpinned that success are now available for purchase in the 2025 National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus.
I Am Unstoppable New for Oaklands Stud
Queenslanders have not had a great deal of opportunity to breed to sons of champion sire I Am Invincible with just two listed to stand in the sunshine state this spring, although we can now make that three with Oaklands Stud announcing the addition of Group I performer I Am Unstoppable.