Tasbreeders is an association which is governed by an elected Committee of 10 members that meet monthly.
In addition, Tasbreeders also employs an executive officer to administer the association. Each committee member brings a diverse range of skills and knowledge to Tasbreeders in order to enable the Tasmanian thoroughbred industry to develop and prosper. A short biography of each committee member, and the executive officer, is outlined below.
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Philip Swinton
President
Born at Longford in Tasmania and educated at Launceston Church Grammar School. Philip’s studied a Bachelor of Business before commencing work at the Country Club Casino in Launceston at it’s grand opening in 1984. Ten years with Federal Hotels saw him rise to Senior Management level before heading to Sydney to work for AWA establishing the Club Keno network across NSW. Upon returning to Tasmania to take up the position of Casino Manager on the Spirit of Tasmania, Philip and his wife Cindy commenced a thoroughbred breeding enterprise on their 50 acre farm at Westbury.
In 2003 Philip became Secretary at the Devonport Racing Club whilst continuing to expand Park Crest Stud. Now standing the Group 1 winner Mr Innocent and Hong Kong performer Brilliant Leader, Park Crest Stud has expanded to 260 acres and is starting to produce some excellent racehorses. In 2004 Philip was first elected as President of Thoroughbred Breeders Tasmania and a Board member of Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.
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Jenny Watson
Vice President
Jenny runs Macleay Thoroughbred Stud in partnership with her husband Geoff in the Meander Valley. After 15 years of standing stallions, spelling racehorses, weaning and yearling preparation, it has now evolved into a boutique operation which produces four to five yearlings a year.
Jenny did a two year Equine Stud Management course at Muresk Agricultural College in Western Australia before working on studs in Tasmania, N.S.W. and Victoria. She has prepared yearlings for sales in every state of Australia and been involved with some great horses and people.
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Graeme McCulloch
Vice President
Graeme owns and operates Grenville Stud, just a short drive from Launceston. Grenville Stud is one of the state’s leading vendors at the annual Tasmanian Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
Graeme is a long term member of Tasbreeders and is also one of the Tasmanian representatives on the Thoroughbred Breeders Australia committee.
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Robert Eastoe
Treasurer
Robert is a CPA and member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants. He is a Principal of WHK Garrotts in Launceston, after commencing his career with this company in 1977. Whilst predominately being a general practitioner in public practice, Robert has a particular interest in providing management and taxation advice in the area of Small to Medium Enterprises (SME).
Robert has been very active in areas of Sports Administration outside his commitments with Garrotts, holding numerous positions involved with Cricket Administration and in later years Racing Administration.
Over the years Robert has developed a keen interest in racing as well as both racing a number of horses over the past 20 years, Robert and his family have ventured into breeding of thoroughbreds. Over the past five years they have acquired broodmares from such sires as West Quest, Canny Lad, Reset and Viscount.
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Allan Howard
Committee Member
In 2007 Allan and his wife purchased 55 hectares at Evandale, just outside of Launceston, and established Brooklyn Park, a thoroughbred agistment property.
Allan's experience in the breeding industry comes from many years of owning, breeding and racing his own horses. Brooklyn Park's boutique band of eight broodmares currently produces lovely types destined for the sale ring. Brooklyn Park also offers yearling preparations for local and interstate sales and the facility includes a purpose built stable complex of 10 large loose boxes and day yards. Brooklyn Park also offers short and long term spelling and individual or group paddocks.
Allan is the newest committee member of Tasbreeders, having been recently elected at the 2009 AGM. As a committee member, Allan hopes to offer a voice for the breeders within Tasmania and is looking forward to working with the organisation to develop a sound and vibrant breeding industry in the future.
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Rob Dixon
Committee Member
Rob and his wife Liz have established “Reibey Lodge” situated on the North Esk River at Relbia in Northern Tasmania. Rich alluvial flats provide a perfect environment for growing out foals.
Reibey Lodge has purchased fillies from Victoria and NSW as well as broodmares from New Zealand in order to assemble a boutique band of mares for breeding purposes. This season’s sale in 2010 will see Reibey Lodge’s first draft of foals offered at the yearling sales.
Rob brings with him a desire to see breeders continually upgrading their broodmare stocks in Tasmania, which will enable the state to produce a product that will be marketable across the country.
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Brian Stewart
Committee Member
A town planner by profession, Brian recently retired from the Kingborough Council where he was the Planning Manager. He is a life long horse lover and in the last decade or more has been a passionate hobby breeder.
His first dealings with TasBreeders was in 2004 when he was able to attract the first Malaysian buyer to the Tasmanian yearling sale. He was elected to the TasBreeders Committee the following year and became the Secretary/Public Officer in 2008.
Brian has always tried to promote a more professional approach to the organisation of breeding programmes and has been instrumental in offering TasBreeders members access to the TesioPower programme when making their stallion selections.
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Graham McLeod
Committee Member
Graham has been breeding thoroughbreds in Tasmania since 1978. Before that he only dreamed of breeding thoroughbreds.
From 1984 – 1994 He was Chairman of the Tasmanian Racing Club and, during that time, enjoyed terms as the Chairman of the Tasmanian Thoroughbred Racing Council.
From 1980 to present (with one small break) Graham has been a Committee Member and Director of Tasmanian Thoroughbred Breeders (now TasBreeders). He was President of the organisation for four years.
Graham and his family run Camoquill Broodmare Stud at Kingston, just south of Hobart. He races and prepares yearlings for local and mainland sales.
Graham has bred some outstanding horses over the years, including in recent times, the Group 1 performer Bank Robber. Graham attributes his success in part, to the fertile grounds of Tasmania which he believes are excellent for rearing thoroughbreds.
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Sue Monks
Committee Member
Sue runs Springfield Stud at Longford, 15mins south of Launceston. Sue provides a significant service to the Tasmanian breeding industry, as she prepares yearling for the local sale on behalf of many smaller vendors.
Sue is a long servicing member of Tasbreeders and is a key member of the organising committee for the annual yearling sale.
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Brett Williams
Committee Member
Brett Williams was employed by Tasbreeders in July 2009 to administer the association. His role focuses primarily on the marketing and promotion of Tasmania's growing thoroughbred breeding industry and is financed by funds received from Thoroughbred Breeders Australia.
Prior to joining Tasbreeders, Brett was employed by Tasracing (formerly TOTE Tasmania) in a variety of positions for more than eight years. In recent times he was Manager Racing Events and was responsible for the development and project management of the annual Tasmanian Summer Racing Carnival and the annual Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale.
Brett is a long-time supporter of the thoroughbred breeding industry, having bred/purchased several successful Tasmanian racehorses.
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Linda Hay
Committee Member
Linda’s involvement in the horse industry began as a child riding and representing Tasmania on five occasions in Three Day Eventing.
In 1985, Linda married astute horse trainer Ian Hay and, working for their Anzaas Lodge Racing outfit as an owner, breeder and foreperson, has been involved in the thoroughbred industry ever since.
Breeding and selling yearlings from a select stable of broodmares under the East Woolmers banner, Linda brings to the Committee a wealth of hands on experience, and extensive knowledge of the breeding industry and the many challenges it faces.
